Second Day of Tattersalls Foal Sale Sees Improvement

A Kingman daughter of the smart Blue Angel dominated a much-improved second day of trading at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale Nov. 29 when she sold for 370,000 guineas (US$498,213).

Although the median fell 10% adrift of last year's corresponding session to 30,000gns, the average held steady at 43,327gns for 211 sold, which translated to an 80% clearance rate. Overall, it was a day of greater vibrancy as illustrated by the presence of 18 six-figure lots compared to 14 last year.

As ever, the majority of Thursday's foals were bought with an eye to resell next year, but a number of end-users also made their presence felt, none more so than Anthony Stroud, who struck the winning bid for the session-topping Kingman filly sold through The Castlebridge Consignment.

The second-most expensive foal to sell during the Thursday session since 2007, she is a half sister to 2016 Betdaq Dee Stakes winner Viren's Army. Further back, she is from the family of top miler Bigstone.

"She's been bought to race," Stroud said. "Obviously, Kingman has made a wonderful start to his stud career, and this filly traces back to a good Wildenstein family. It was probably more than one wanted to spend, but when you want one, sometimes you have to stretch for it."

The filly's listed-placed dam, Blue Angel (by Oratorio), belongs to a broodmare band of "two or three" maintained by breeder Geoffrey Howard-Spink, making this filly's sale all the more memorable for her connections.

"We always try and sell as foals, and this is easily the best result we have had in the sale ring," he said. "Blue Angel's first foal, Viren's Army, was a stakes horse, and her second, Eagle Creek, was good, too, so we decided the mare deserved an upgrade.

"Kingman has had such a good season with his first runners, and everything has just fallen into place."

A marked international air to Thursday's trade included the sale of a Le Havre colt from Nafferty Stud to Harry Sweeney of the Japanese-based Paca Paca Farm for 200,000gns ($269,304). One of six purchases made Thursday by Sweeney, the colt is a half brother to Betfred Geoffrey Freer Stakes (G3) winner Kings Fete and out of listed winner Village Fete.

American agent Justin Casse, meanwhile, went to 175,000gns ($235,641) to land the Kodiac full brother to recent Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (G1) winner Best Solution presented by his breeder, McCracken Farms.

"He's staying here and will come back next year to resell," said Casse, who signed as Magnolia Bloodstock. "He has a great walk and is a good individual. He should do nothing but get better."

There was also an antipodean flavor as Australian heavyweight Aquis Farm dipped its toe into the market.

A good day's work for the farm's CEO, Shane McGrath, saw him come away with two foals, including the Acclamation half brother to American grade 3 winner Spirit Of Xian at 130,000gns ($175,048).

"He was my pick of the day," McGrath said. "He's a strong, quality colt by an established sire. Hopefully, he'll go the right way and we'll have a bit of fun with him."