 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
History being made at Doncaster on Wednesday as a colt by Mehmas became the first horse to fetch a seven-figure sum at the venue's renowned Breeze Up Sale.
The colt, consigned by Katie Walsh's Greenhills Farm, had sparked considerable interest following an exceptional workout on Tuesday, yet few could have anticipated the extraordinary bidding war that ensued.
Three heavyweight players locked horns in a pulsating duel that saw Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock representing Wathnan Racing, Alex Elliott bidding for Amo Racing, and Anthony Stroud for Godolphin all vying for the prized prospect.
As the hammer finally fell at £1 million (US$1,330,000), it was Stroud's subtle nod that secured the colt for Sheikh Mohammed's operation, shattering the previous Doncaster record by some margin.
The seven-figure transaction wasn't the only record broken on an extraordinary day, as Stroud had earlier gone to £720,000 (US$957,600) for another Mehmas colt consigned by Tally-Ho Stud.
"It's lively, isn't it," Stroud remarked. "It's following on from Newmarket last week. The better ones are obviously making the money, and it's encouraging that we've got so many people who want to have a really good horse to race."
Speaking about the earlier purchase, he added: "Tally-Ho have a good tradition of producing breeze-up horses. He did a good breeze, passed all the veterinary examinations, and just looked exactly like what he's meant to be a real 2YO. We bought a few Mehmas yearlings for Godolphin last year, including the half-brother to Perfect Power from the same hotel (for US$1,339,000). He's a very nice horse."
The record-breaking Mehmas colt was bred in Ireland by John and Barry Grogan of Milestream Stud out of Rapid Reaction, a daughter of Shamardal who won twice and finished third in the 2020 Gr.2 Sapphire Stakes behind A'Ali.
The dam is a half-sister to triple listed winner Katla, with both being out of a half-sister to leading sire Wootton Bassett.
Reflecting on the remarkable result, Walsh said: "It's unbelievable. I'm delighted for my clients, he's owned by a big syndicate; there's people from Scandinavia, Ukraine, France. They gave US$186,200 for him as a foal and it didn't happen for them as a yearling, so they asked me if I'd breeze him.
"He's been extremely straightforward from the get-go. Mehmas is obviously having a fantastic time and this colt has a lovely pedigree. He breezed very nicely and is going to a very good team. I just hope he's extremely lucky for them."
Stroud confirmed the colt would be heading to Charlie Appleby's yard, adding: "If the horse is there, the people will be there. He did a very good breeze and is from a very good consignor. I thought he'd sell well, but at the top end it's always difficult to work out where you're going to end up. He's by a very good stallion, and Katie does a fantastic job. Our principal was keen to buy some breeze-up horses."
Fittingly, the £720,000 Mehmas colt came from Tally-Ho Stud, whose Tony O'Callaghan was among the consignors at the inaugural Doncaster breeze-up sale in 1977.
This colt was bred by Cheveley Park Stud from Boost, a winning daughter of Pivotal and 2010 Gr.1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Hooray. He's a half-brother to the listed-winning and Group Three-placed Benefit.
Roger O'Callaghan described his father as a "pioneer" of the breeze-up business, saying: "We want to be the best, and we want to sell the best, but you're only as good as the next horse."
The record-breaking results mirror last week's Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale, where consecutive sessions saw new high marks set, most notably the US$2,331,750 Havana Grey bought by Amo Racing.
Mehmas, who set a new record for 2YO winners in a single season with 70 last year, stands at Tally-Ho at a fee of US$93,100. His current juvenile crop were conceived in 2022 during the season his fee had doubled from US$33,250 to US$66,500.
The sale's statistics reflected the extraordinary quality on offer, with turnover reaching a record US$15,691,340, up 12% year-on-year. The average price rose by 35% to US$112,079, while the median climbed four points to US$49,875. The clearance rate was a very healthy 83% with 140 lots sold from 168 offered.
At the conclusion of trade, Goffs UK managing director Tim Kent commented: "Today is a day that we will remember for an awful long time and is a real milestone in the evolution of the company, whilst it's particularly fitting that Harry (Beeby)'s son Henry, the Goffs Group CEO, was on the rostrum for this historic event.
"But we can be proud of so much more than the top price from today. We've achieved a record turnover for this sale, a record average, and a record median whilst four horses matched or exceeded the previous top price of US$665,000, 10 sold for US$399,000 or more, and 29 exceeded US$133,000. A truly remarkable day by any measure."