Johnny Hassett explained that he will be adopting a different approach to the upcoming breeze-up season after signing for a pair of Sea The Stars (Ire) colts at Book 2 of the Orby Sale, including the €160,000 sale-topper (lot 712) from The Castlebridge Consignment.
A brother to German Group 3 winner Alpen Rose, the top lot is from the family of 1,000 Guineas winner Sleepytime (Ire) (Royal Academy), but Hassett is convinced that his new recruit is no slouch and labelled the colt “a belter.”
Outlining his new streamlined approach to producing horses for the breeze-ups, Hassett said, “We're spending a little more money on fewer horses this year. We're always trying to up our game, not just in the sales ring but by producing proper racehorses as well.”
Hassett, who played a leading role at this sale year 12 months ago when it was known as the Sportsman's Sale, has bought horses under the banner of The Bloodstock Connection and Get In The Game in the past. However, he signed this week under JCH Bloodstock.
To go with the Sea The Stars colts purchased to the tune of €228,000 on Thursday, Hassett also picked up fillies by Too Darn Hot (GB) and Wootton Bassett (GB) at Book 1 of the Orby. They were bought for €100,000 and €60,000, respectively.
For all that the leading buyer was a familiar one, Goffs will have been encouraged by the wide breadth of international purchasers on day one of Book 2.
However, the trade was steady without being spectacular. Of the 236 yearlings to go under the hammer, 182 sold at a clearance rate of 77%.
The turnover was down 28% to €4,395,500 comparable to this day last year while the average was also down by 13% to €24,152 and the median fell 16% to €20,000.
Johnny Hassett of JCH Bloodstock has done well sourcing yearlings from Orby. Johnny returns to the source, purchasing a pair of Sea The Stars colts from @TheCastlebridge, headed by the session topping Lot 712 at €160,000.@TheBloodstockC | #GoffsOrby pic.twitter.com/5C4tAfW8kP
— Goffs (@Goffs1866) September 28, 2023
US Buyers Remain Active At Book 2
Legion Bloodstock, one of the US-based buyers who remained active at Book 2, landed a Mastercraftsman (Ire) filly (lot 768) from Coulonces for €75,000.
“She's for Hoolie Racing, one of our clients in the US,” reported Legion Bloodstock's Kristian Villante afterwards. “She's a big filly with a lot of scope to her and she could run over intermediate distances for us. She's got a beautiful pedigree.
“She'll go to our training centre in South Carolina now. She's our seventh or eighth purchase this week–I'm losing count! They'll all go back to America.”
Coulonces Sales' final Lot in the ring at Orby Book 2 goes the way of @LegionBldstk, Agent for Hoolie Racing 🇺🇸 at €75,000.
Mastercraftsman filly is the 1st foal out of a half-sister to Stakes winner Adventure Seeker, dam of Little Big Bear.@AnnaSundstr | #GoffsOrby pic.twitter.com/ESRiGwUdpj
— Goffs (@Goffs1866) September 28, 2023
Twomey To The Fore Once Again
Paddy Twomey pulled a rabbit out of the hat when sending out One Look (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), purchased at this sale for €65,000 12 months ago, to win the Goffs Million on debut.
The leading Irish trainer will be hoping to repeat the trick with a racy colt by Mehmas (Ire) (lot 627) who he purchased from Tally-Ho Stud for the same figure.
“He's a nice colt and looks a real two-year-old type,” said Twomey. “I'm a big fan of the sire and I've been lucky at this sale in recent years.”
Buy Of The Day
One of the nicest horses through the ring on the day was the Mohaather (GB) colt (lot 706) consigned by Abbey House Farm and sold to Diego Dias on behalf of Star Bloodstock and Byron Rogers for €70,000.
Out of a Teofilo (Ire) mare who has produced a winner from as many runners, the 82-rated Rajindri (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}), this colt came in well above the average for the sale but time might prove him to have been good value.
For a start, the progeny of Mohaather appears to have been quite well received by the market and this colt looked a fine model by the stallion.
Being critical, he lacked a small bit of size but, being a May foal, one can expect that he isn't finished growing. Above all else, he looked fast, which is handy given the outfit he has joined.
In short, the Mohaather won't look expensive come the spring if he rockets up the track at any of the recognised breeze-up sales. He's definitely one to keep an eye on going forward.
At working man prices, Barry Lynch and James McHale bagged themselves a nice filly in the shape of lot 597, a Coulsty (Ire) for €31,000.
A nice type, the Coulsty looked typically-racy and hailed from the same cross as the sire's only Group 1 winner, Shantisara (Ire) [who is also out of a Dalakhani (Ire) mare].
Purchased by two good operators, it would be no surprise if she also proved herself to be value in time.
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