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| Staff Writer |
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The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale's Book 2 opening session on 14 October saw Godolphin emerge as a dominant force, securing the top lot for 875,000 guineas (US$1,199,979). Anthony Stroud, acting for the operation, outbid Richard Brown for a well-related Sea The Stars colt, consigned as Lot 597.
Earlier in the day, Godolphin had already shown their hand by acquiring another Sea The Stars colt out of Angel Fairy from Norelands for 475,000 guineas (US$651,417). Stroud commented, "He's a very strong, well-made horse. It's a wonderful family and he'll be a nice staying horse for the future. He fitted the bill for Godolphin so he'll go to Charlie Appleby, as will the other Sea The Stars. I thought he was a very nice horse from Norelands, very athletic. I thought they were the two standouts."
Regarding the session-topper's price, Stroud added, "We were definitely stretched as that was more than I anticipated, but we're very glad to get him."
The market continued its hot streak from Book 1, with the top lot fetching the third-highest price in Book 2 history. Stroud, standing beside David Loder who was taking phone instructions, outbid Brown with a decisive 25,000 guineas increase. Auctioneer Simon Kerins quipped, "A brave man would say a million!" before the hammer fell.
The Staffordstown-consigned colt hails from a family Loder knows intimately, having trained the granddam, Bianca Nera, to victory in the 1996 Gr.1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. The colt's dam, Bighearted, is one of three black-type performers bred by Bianca Nera, having placed in three listed contests.
The Gr.1 Moyglare Stud Stakes has a rich history of producing top-class fillies. Notable previous winners include Tahiyra (2022), who went on to win the Gr.1 Irish 1,000 Guineas, and Skitter Scatter (2018), who later triumphed in the Gr.1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.
Richard Frisby, Staffordstown representative, revealed their decision-making process: "The colt was accepted for Book 1 but we felt that dropping him in here would help him stand out, and I think that's what has happened. He's a fine first foal. Obviously he's a horse who'll need a bit of time but he has been bred to be a Classic horse and that's what you would expect to need to give him."
Frisby added, "You never really know how much they're going to make. The price at half of what he has made was a good sale, and who could forecast that?"
Harry McCalmont of Norelands expressed his satisfaction with the 475,000 guineas Sea The Stars colt sale: "We loved the horse and he was a colt who could have gone anywhere. He could have gone to Goffs or Book 1 but we decided to put him in here. He's a beautiful colt and we thank Mrs. Tsui for sending us the mare and letting us look after the colt for her. It's another good result for her as she's had a good year."
Reflecting on the previous week's market, McCalmont added, "We bring very few to Book 1 normally because it's so selective. This year I wish I had 30 yearlings in there!"