Juddmonte provided a a lot smaller draft than at earlier renewals of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Coaching Sale, however the decreased consignment nonetheless contained the main gentle of the Oct. 27 session.
As has been the case so many occasions this week, it was the free-spending Saudi Arabian operation Najd Stud, aided by Peter and Ross Doyle, who landed the spoils with a profitable bid of 400,000 guineas (US$578,535) securing the stylish Boltaway (Lot 1114).
The three-year-old son of Dubawi and the four-time grade 1 winner Proviso , a daughter of Dansili, landed four races for Roger Charlton, with the most recent of those victories coming by clear water in a Newmarket handicap. That effort earned him a career-high Racing Post Rating of 96.
Saad Bin Mishraf, representing Prince Faisal Bin Khaled’s Najd Stud, said: “We tried to buy this horse privately but that wasn’t possible so we waited for this sale. It’s proved to be one of the toughest markets I have ever seen for horses in training.
“He’s by Dubawi, whose offspring have succeeded in Saudi Arabia, and out of a Dansili mare, and Dansilis have done well in Saudi Arabia, so he had the right pedigree. He also had size and good feet for racing on dirt.
“He isn’t been over-raced and he vetted 100%, which was one of many primary causes for making an attempt to purchase him. All of the races in Saudi Arabia are on the up, with higher prize cash, generally elevated by 4 or 5 occasions. There are races for locally-bred horses and imported horses, and whereas we do not have many imported horses, those we’ve got are superb.”
Najd Stud later added the listed-placed Fundamental , a son of Dark Angel and Cheveley Park Stud’s dual group 1 winner Integral , to the haul at a cost of 240,000 guineas ($347,121). The operation was clear at the head of the leading purchasers’ table with 12 lots secured for an outlay of 2,491,000 guineas ($3,602,830).
New Home for Old Flame
Old Flame (Lot 1113) opened the Juddmonte draft and was knocked down to Tattersalls’ Jason Singh, taking instructions on the phone, at 250,000 guineas ($361,585). Singh revealed he had been acting on behalf of Australian trainers Peter and Paul Snowden and bloodstock agent Will Johnson.
Old Flame in the ring
Old Flame, a 3-year-old son of Invincible Spirit , won twice from four starts for Ralph Beckett and reached a peak RPR of 92 for his 8 1/2-length romp in a Catterick novice stakes.
“He’ll be on the first shipment from Europe to Australia,” said Colum McCullagh, Snowden Racing’s racing and bloodstock manager. “He looks to have the right sort of profile for Australia and is by Invincible Spirit, who has such a huge influence here through his son I Am Invincible .
“He should suit a lot of races here over distances from six furlongs to a mile, he’s a real sprinter-miler type. He has not been bought for a particular client and we will look to syndicate him.”
McKeever Plays Winning Hand
Johnny McKeever, representing the all conquering Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott axis, hit the 230,000 guineas ($332,658) mark for a second time in the session when signing for Chester Vase (G3) winner Youth Spirit (Lot 1186A), who was consigned by Andrew Balding’s Park House Stables.
Youth Spirit in the ring
The 3-year-old son of Camelot had last changed hands at Arqana in 2019, where Federico Barberini secured the youngster on behalf of owner Ahmad Al Shaikh for €48,000 ($68,220).
“I really believe that he’s the best value horse in the sale,” said McKeever. “And, on price, I think he’s probably the best value horse I’ve bought for about 10 years! I’m extremely excited about that as I’ve been trying to buy the horse all year.
“His level of form is outstanding, he’s by Camelot, he’s such a beautiful-looking horse, he has absolutely everything going for him.”
Chipotle’s Rollercoaster Ride Concludes
Eve Johnson Houghton’s rollercoaster journey with Chipotle (Lot 1055) came to an emotional conclusion on Wednesday when the son of Havana Gold sold to Najd Stud and Peter and Ross Doyle for 210,000 guineas ($303,731).
Chipotle in the ring
The 2-year-old was making his third appearance at public auction, having joined the Johnson Houghton team through Highflyer Bloodstock at a mere 10,000 guineas ($13,918) at the relocated Tattersalls Ascot Yearling Sale. Prior to that he had been retained by Theakston Stud at just 4,500 guineas ($6,079) when offered as a foal.
Despite those humble origins, Chipotle went on to win four races, with victory in the Brocklesby followed by a memorable success in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. He added a second listed success to his race record when winning the William Hill Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar on his most recent outing.
“I’m a bit teary because it’s been amazing,” said Johnson Houghton. “For a ten grand purchase to win the Brocklesby, win at Royal Ascot, win at Redcar, and then come here and make that sort of price, he’s just been such a great horse for us.
“He’ll do a job for someone as he’s grown again, he’s tough, he’ll get seven furlongs, and I hope he does really well in Saudi.”
Explaining how she came to train Chipotle, Johnson Houghton said: “I was a bit concerned that I wasn’t going to have any horses because of COVID so I bought three horses for The Woodway 20 syndicate.
“Anthony Bromley did a brilliant job, it’s been an amazing journey, but the rules of the syndicate said that they had to be sold at the end of their 2-year-old career. It was a helluva result and I’m just so proud of the horse.
“Of course I would’ve liked to keep him but it’s so hard for that sort of horse in Britain. If he’s not group class, and I’m not saying he wouldn’t be, but if he isn’t then you’d be hammered by the handicapper.”
The Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale concludes Oct. 28, with the final session starting at 9:30 a.m. local time.
