NANCY SEXTON
Weblog: Running the rule over studs and sales
Lot 2275; Capistrano Day; “She deserves to make top price today,” said Peter Kelly of Emerald Bloodstock shortly after securing the 1999 1,000 Guineas fourth Capistrano Day on behalf of an undisclosed Irish breeder for 60,000gns. Lordship Stud were the underbidders.
Sold by birthday boy Jamie Railton, the Listed-winning daughter of Diesis was sold in foal to Bated Breath. She is the dam of five winners, including the Group 3-placed Sabbeeh and Dream Day, whose daughter Delhi broke her maiden in France impressively this week.
“There’s plenty going on on the page,” added Kelly. “She was a good, tough racemare with an attractive covering and the yearling [by Exceed And Excel] was nice.”
Lot 2234; Attractive Crown; Saudi Arabian agent Ibrahim Rachid remains in good form, going to 26,000gns for Attractive Crown.
Although rising 19, the daughter of Chief’s Crown is probably not bad value; Group 2-placed herself, she is the dam of Listed winner Basemah and in foal to Dutch Art, whose foals averaged over 100,000gns on Saturday.
Lot 2212; Blessing Box; Irish breeder Michael Gaffney continues a successful week buying with the purchase of Blessing Box for 38,000gns through Peter and Ross Doyle. Gaffney struck earlier in the week at 85,000gns for the Group 3-placed Mary’s Daughter.
The winning daughter of Bahamian Bounty is a sister to Listed-winning sprinter Bounty Box as well as the Listed-placed Bahamian Box.
Another half-sister, the Listed-placed Vive Les Rouges, is the dam of this season’s Middle Park Stakes fourth Speedfiend.
“She’s for a partnership between myself and an old friend, Liam Butler,” said Gaffney, who maintains a broodmare band at Churchtown House Stud in County Cork. “We’ve had some good times together.
“She’s from a good, fast family. We’ll cover her and probably sell the produce either as a foal or yearling. She won’t come back for sale in foal – you have to love them first as you’re married to them!”
Blessing Box was sold by Catridge Farm Stud, whose stud manager David Power struck moments later at 30,000gns for lot 2215, Hard Walnut
Lot 2181; Golden Song; early excitement on this low-key day belongs to Golden Song, one of three mares sold in succession by Littleton Stud out of Jeff Smith’s Listed winner Premier Prize.
The daughter of Singspiel, in foal to Smith’s Norse Dancer, was sold to 17,000gns to colourful Saudi Arabian agent Ibrahim Rachid following a series of shouts and gesticulations aimed at John O’Kelly from the rope.
Job done, Rachid is now throwing kisses at the press bench.
Selling starts at 9.30am and today’s withdrawals are: 2167, 2168, 2169, 2170, 2171, 2172, 2182, 2183, 2184, 2194, 2222, 2224, 2227, 2231, 2236, 2253, 2254, 2255, 2256, 2257, 2258, 2260, 2261, 2263, 2269, 2272, 2273, 2277, 2281, 2287, 2288, 2289, 2305, 2319, 2322, 2323, 2328, 2343, 2344, 2353, 2355, 2356, 2359, 2361, 2363, 2366, 2373, 2376, 2379, 2383, 2384, 2385, 2386, 2387, 2388, 2391, 2399, 2401, 2402, 2403, 2407, 2408, 2409, 2411, 2415, 2416, 2420