Replete Tops Tattersalls Mare Sale Day 3

by Nancy Sexton

Courtesy of Racing Post

A rare offering from Juddmonte's famous Hasili family dominated proceedings at Tattersalls December Mare sale Nov. 30, snapped up by Amanda Skiffington for 775,000gns (US$1,016,537).

The Makfi filly Replete, a daughter out of champion Banks Hill, was only the second granddaughter of Hasili to ever be cataloged at public auction by Juddmonte and duly attracted a host of interested parties, notably American agent Justin Casse, who threw in an opening bid of 100,000gns, and Kentucky breeder Greg Goodman of Mt. Brilliant Farm, whose determined effort fell short to only the winning bidder.

Skiffington was unable to divulge the identity of her client although she did concede that the unraced 3-year-old would suit Galileo down the line.

"She was absolutely the best horse of the day," said Skiffington. "It's a fantastic family and I thought she was a beauty."

The unraced Replete is out of the brilliant Banks Hill, a sister to Dansili, Cacique, and Champs Elysees. Banks Hill has since made her mark as the dam of the Darley Prix Jean Romanet (Fr-I) winner Romantica and listed winner Ideal World, who gained further note in South Africa as the sire of group I winner Smart Call.

The Juddmonte Farms draft remains eagerly anticipated year after year and Wednesday's collection didn't disappoint, returning an average of 80,530gns ($105,627) for 33 sold.

Megaron, a Dansili sister to Merbury Catering Consultants Supreme Stakes (Eng-III) winner Stronghold, and listed scorer Convey for whom Jono Mills of Rabbah Bloodstock signed at 200,000gns ($262,332) was included in Juddmonte's draft.

John Deer's Oakgrove Stud went to 155,000gns ($203,308) for Marlingford, an Oasis Dream half sister to Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-I) winner Zambezi Sun.

"She'll go to Al Kazeem," said Tim Lane, stud manager of Oakgrove Stud. "We're big fans of Oasis Dream mares and she's a nice physical, very athletic. It's just a great family and there's a bit of speed in there at the bottom too."

Her price was also matched by Sandstone, a Dansili daughter of the group I-placed Helleborine. Placed twice in four starts for Criquette Head-Maarek, Sandstone is the first foal out of her dam, who won the 2010 Prix d'Aumale (Fr-III) and is a sister to group I-winning sprinter African Rose, in turn the dam of this season's Juddmonte Princess Margaret Stakes (Eng-III) winner Fair Eva.

Earlier in the day, this year's Coral Distaff winner Light Up Our World provided her breeder Derek Boocock with a tremendous return, selling through Overbury Stud for 420,000gns ($550,898) to Kern/Lillingston Association on behalf of Charles Noell's and John Moore's Merriebelle Farm. Boocock paid just 25,000gns ($43,625) for her dam Shine Like A Star at the 2009 Tattersalls December Sale, a move which initially proved inspired when she foaled the group III-placed Light Up My Life.

Light Up Our World has been a tough and consistent performer for Boocock and Richard Hannon, winning two races and placing in four group races including the Betfred TV Fred Darling and 888sport Prestige Stakes (both Eng-III). The Zoffany filly could yet try for further success in the U.S.

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