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| Staff Writer |
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Blue Point, a first-season sire, is currently having a remarkable debut season. His reputation caught the attention of many at Tattersalls on the second day of the October Yearling Sale.
At the recent marquee sale, there was a lot of interest in the progeny of a stallion who had already produced 34 individual winners in Britain and Ireland, as well as a recent Group One winner in France.
One particular colt, who happened to be a half-brother to the top-class sprinter Battaash, was especially sought after. Both Godolphin and Coolmore were interested, but in the end, Godolphin's Anthony Stroud secured the colt for 1,500,000gns with the winning bid. Despite a bid of 1,400,000 from Saud Al Qahtani of Najd Stud, Stroud was able to secure the highly desired colt for Godolphin.
"He was one that we wanted, he is the horse that we thought would enhance Godolphin,” enthused Stroud.
“He’s an outstanding horse by a stallion who’s done so well this year.
“Blue Point has had so many winners, including the winner of the Lagardere just the other day.
“He’s looking incredibly promising and coupled with the fact this colt is out of a mare who produced a horse like Battaash, he's a horse we thought would enhance our team.”
Referencing Paul and Marie McCartan’s successful Ballyphilip Stud, who offered the stunning colt, Stroud added: “Paul McCartan has had Tiggy Wiggy, Profitable, Harry Angel and so many more, it is a great nursery and they do a fantastic job.
“I hope that we are standing here in two years' time and agreeing that this is one of the best that Paul has bred."
On day two, Shadwell operation, led by Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan Al Maktoum, made three purchases including a beautiful filly sired by Dubawi out of Cushion, who is a descendant of the legendary Galileo and Guineas winner Attraction.
The filly was offered by Watership Down Stud for 450,000gns. Shadwell also acquired a Teofilo filly (out of Dean Street Doll) from Barton Stud for 400,000gns and a Churchill daughter (out of Emperors Pearl) for 300,000gns. Meanwhile, Coolmore flexed their buying muscle and won a bidding war to secure a Frankel colt (out of Bizzarria) from Hascombe & Valiant Stud for a whopping 2,000,000gns.