Day 2 of the 2nd book of the Tattersalls sale last year October brought increasingly intense trading, reaching boiling point shortly after 7pm, when Roger Varian placed the highest bid of the day at 700,000 guineas (US$813,233) for security Sea The Stars colt (Lot 1793) out of Along Came Casey from Longview Stud.
The dam has won four races, including two listed, and has nurtured two winners since retiring to rowing. The best thing about her parents is Feliciana De Vega whose record is capped by wins in Darley Stakes (G3).
“I don’t think the stallion can do much wrong at the moment,” the trainer said from his usual tender position down the back stairs facing the oars. “The mare was the winner of the bet and she bred a very good one, so she ticked all the boxes.
“We had to dig deep to get him but I’m glad we did. He’s a late summer horse and he was bred to want a mean distance of 3. You don’t. never knew how quickly they would arrive, but he’s quite mature.”
That brought Book 2 of Varian to 1 million guineas (US$1,161,762), also signed with 300,000 guineas (US$348,529) Saxon Warrior colt in day 1.
“I think (Sea The Stars colt) is one of the better horses of the week,” Varian said. “There’s been a couple of these weeks with that real Book 1 quality and I think he’s one of them. I didn’t realize he was going to pay that much; I don’t know how much he was going to pay or that’s it. I’m going to have to spend, but my client (on the phone) would love to get him.”
Magnier joins Night Of Thunder fan club
Coolmore joins the growing fan club behind Thunder Night when MV Magnier’s name appeared on the chart two lots of stallions based on Darley’s Kildangan Stud. The pair’s higher price was knocked out by Jamie McCalmont, who signed Magnier and White Birch Farm for 575,000 guineas (US$668,013).
The pony (Lot 1073) was supplied by Mountarmstrong Stud and has been sold out Alexander Asidious a daughter of Windsor Knot who won the Prix Six Perfection and finished second in the Prix du Calvados Association des Jockeys (G3) in the colors of Noel O’Callaghan.
The Night Of Thunder colt consigned as Lot 1073 in the ring at last year’s October sale by Tattersalls
McCalmont said: “He was a lovely Night Of Thunder horse. “We thought it was the best pony in the sale and the one we wanted to buy today, so we bought it. Between this sale and the last, we thought it had a good deal. Probably the best specimen of a stallion.”
Earlier in the day, Avenue Bloodstock’s Mark McStay raked in 265,000 guineas ($307,867) for Night Of Thunder. Violet’s Gift from Ballyhimikin Stud. The young player is a brother to two winners, most notably the one listed on the list Kodiak West .
McStay said: ‘She was a stunning beauty with a male that was getting better and better. “He’s had a great season with Highfield Princess. We had to dig deep to get her.
“She comes from a fine nursery in Ballyhimikin. She is a lovely specimen, the mare has bred a black stallion, and the Coolmore boys appreciate her very much. I believe her. He’ll be training with George Boughey.”
Sales results
It was a Cyber Monday with 18 lots selling for 300,000 guineas or more and a record in sales for a single session at the moment. Turnover, average and median all increased by double digits compared to this session last year, while the clearance rate was 88%.
