Crystal Estrella Tops Closing Day of Tattersalls July

As the mercury rose at Park Paddocks on July 8, a cast of international buyers did battle for stock to race in sunnier climes than even that of a scorching Tattersalls July Sale in Newmarket.

Barry Irwin's Team Valor International recently celebrated group 1 success with La Petite Coco  in the Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) and Irwin indicated after that win at the Curragh that he was keen to expand his European reach.

He did just that late in proceedings during Friday's evening session, through Tattersalls' Jason Singh, who was taking instructions on the phone from Irwin. Sackville Donald, seated below the press bench, and an online buyer made much of the early running for the wildcard entry Crystal Estrella, who boasts immense racing and breeding potential.

The 3-year-old hails from an outstanding Rothschild family. She is an Iffraaj  half sister to the listed Neds Mornington Cup winner Crystal Pegasus and the listed Newbury Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial third Crystal Hope .

Their dam Crystal Etoile  is a Dansili  half sister to the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) winner and exciting young National Hunt sire Crystal Ocean  and she is also closely related to grade 1 Pattison Canadian International Stakes (G1T) winner Hillstar , a son of Danehill Dancer  who stands at Garryrichard Stud. She is also a half sister to the multiple group 2 winner Crystal Capella  and the listed Newbury Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial winner Crystal Zvezda .

Crystal Estrella broke her maiden in a 10-furlong Goodwood novice in May, and like her illustrious relatives is trained by Sir Michael Stoute for owner/breeder Sir Evelyn de Rothschild.

Singh confirmed that this year's Derby (G1)-winning trainer will continue to oversee Crystal Estrella's racing career following her 275,000gns (US$345,925) purchase.

Later, Irwin, speaking on the phone to Tattersalls, elaborated on his reasons for purchasing Crystal Estrella.

"I like the way she finished her races out, especially in the last 150 meters or so," he said. "She looks like she is a solid middle-distance filly on the way up. I like her pedigree, she looks as though she is a big, good-looking filly who will improve this year and especially next year.

"She has a half brother who won four in a row, including two listed races in Australia. He could possibly win a group race and that will help a little bit. The second dam was very good. I am going to send her back to Sir Michael. I am going to think about what I want to do. He knows her, and I will talk to him; I have not done so yet. It is hard to find fillies like her. I am happy to have her."

One of the final lots through the ring attracted plenty of attention, sharing his name with the disputed Leonardo da Vinci work Salvator Mundi. There is no doubt over the equine Salvator Mundi's provenance or potential, however.

A 3-year-old son of the wonderful Galileo , and inbred 3x3 to that outstanding mare Allegretta, Salvator Mundi came into the sale on the back of two victories in the famous Stradivarius silks of his owner/breeder Bjorn Nielsen.

Those wins came over 12 and 14 furlongs at Leicester and Doncaster, respectively, for John and Thady Gosden.

Lightly raced, with just five starts under his belt, he will continue his career in Qatar following his purchase for 205,000gns ($257,872) by Will Douglass of Charlie Gordon-Watson Bloodstock on behalf of leading trainer Gassim Mohammed Ghazali, who was seated beside him. They beat off stiff competition from an online bidder.

"He is a nice horse and very progressive," commented Douglass. "I like buying from Mr. Gosden because the horses are well-bred and produced, they are respected, and there is a lot left in the tank. I bought a few last year and they have gone all over the world and won.

"This horse will go straight to Qatar. We waited all day for him."

Salvator Mundi is a full brother to Gloria Mundi , who was second in the listed Newbury Fillies' Trial Stakes last season, and a half brother to the listed Prix la Sorellina winner Chartreuse .

Their dam Bufera was third in the Prix des Reservoirs (G3) and is a King's Best half sister to group 3 winners Johnny Barnes and Albisola, the second dam of this season's Prix de Sandringham (G2) winner Purplepay . Bufera is also a half sister to Tonnara, the dam of group 1 winners Ectot and Most Improved.

A truly extraordinary conclusion to the sale saw the third and final day record some jaw-dropping increases.

Friday's aggregate of 4,168,500gns ($5,243,600) represented year-on-year growth of 43.5% from 18 fewer horses sold in 2022. A total of 139 horses changed hands, with their average price leaping by an astounding 62%, from 18,497gns in 2021 to 29,989gns ($37,722).

Friday's median of 15,000gns ($18,868) represented a slightly more modest gain of 25% on the figure recorded last year.

Over the three sessions, the figures broke all previous July Sale records, with the highest-ever turnover, aggregate, and median prices seen at this sale.

The three-day aggregate of 16,743,285gns ($21,061,554) bettered the previous tally of 14,691,700gns set in 2017, when 648 horses were sold. This week just 520 horses generated that massive increase in turnover.

That ensured a record average of 32,199gns ($40,502), beating the previous high of 25,595gns, which was also set in 2017. That year's median of 12,000gns was shattered by 25% this week, at 15,000gns ($18,868).

At the conclusion of the sale, Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony commented: "Records across the board are always welcome and the 2022 Tattersalls July Sale has achieved unprecedented figures for all the key indicators. The sale turnover has exceeded 16 million guineas for the first time, an average price in excess of 30,000gns is also a first for this fixture, and the median of 15,000gns is another record and a clear indication of a sale which has shown extraordinary strength and depth from start to finish.

"The top price of 540,000gns ($677,999) paid for the outstanding Shadwell mare Rihaam is a July Sale record, but perhaps the most important statistic is the clearance rate which, for the fourth consecutive year, was more than 90% and on Day two of the sale was a truly extraordinary 99%.

"Demand at all levels of the market has been typically international, with buyers from every continent in the world all contributing to the record breaking trade, and particularly notable has been the strong Australian contingent headed by Zhang Yuesheng's Yulong Investments."

He added: "Domestic buyers, both flat and National Hunt, have also been competing strongly all week and the sustained demand for well-bred fillies and mares is another positive, not only for the Tattersalls July Sale but also for the wider industry."