02 Jan December ’24 Round-Up

Posted at 10:15h in News by

December Bloodstock Sales Roundup: Elite Mares and Exciting Prospects

December brings with it the highly anticipated breeding stock sales, offering a glimpse of some of the finest fillies retiring from the track. While some are purchased to continue racing, others are secured for breeding purposes. This year’s Tattersalls Mares Sale saw remarkable trade, with You Got To Me topping the sale at an impressive 4.8 million Guineas. The Group 1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks winner and Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks runner-up, a three-year-old Nathaniel filly trained by Ralph Beckett, was acquired by Amo Racing.

Strong Market for Quality Bloodstock at Tattersalls

The Tattersalls Mares Sale saw ten mares and fillies surpass the million-Guineas mark, underscoring the strong demand for high-quality bloodstock. Billy secured three lots for clients, including:

  • Bean Feasa, a Group 3-winning daughter of Dubawi out of a Danehill mare, and a full sister to the influential Teofilo. She has already produced five foals, two of which have won multiple times. Purchased for long-standing clients Lawn Stud, she changed hands for 110,000 Guineas.
  • Goldana, a five-year-old filly recently trained by Joseph O’Brien. With multiple black-type performances, including wins in the Group 3 Gladness Stakes and Listed Heritage Stakes, she was acquired for 200,000 Guineas. The daughter of Galileo Gold out of a Pivotal mare will join Triermore Stud’s expanding boutique broodmare band.
  • Guns Firing, a daughter of the ever-progressive sire New Bay, out of an Acclamation mare. Rated 79 and a full sister to Listed and Group performer Jumbly, she was secured for Aurelius Racing at what appears to be great value—26,000 Guineas.

Arqana Breeding Stock Sale: Strong Trade Continues

Attention now shifts to the final flat sale of the year at Arqana, a mixed breeding stock sale featuring foals, fillies, and mares. Sparkling Plenty led the sale, fetching €5,000,000. The daughter of Kingman out of a Frankel mare boasts an impressive racing record, with victories in the Group 1 Prix de Diane Longines, Group 2 Prix de Sandringham, and multiple Group 1 placings, including the Nassau Stakes and Prix de l’Opera Longines.

Billy continued his acquisitions at Arqana, securing two exciting prospects for Triermore Stud:

  • Shady Lady, a daughter of Blue Point, was purchased for €470,000. A Listed Prix du Haras De Bouquetot winner and Group 3 Prix Miesque runner-up at two, she hails from the illustrious family of Grecian Light and Dutch Art. She will return to Ireland.
  • Hialeah, a daughter of Wootton Bassett out of a Dubawi mare, comes from the family of Gracefully and Goifra. A winner herself, she was secured for €22,000 and will head to Paul McDonnell’s operation in Ireland.

On the Track: Emerging Talent

Beyond the sales ring, there have been notable performances on the track.

  • Royal Approval secured victory on his second start, winning a Novice Stakes at Newcastle under Jason Watson for owner Michael Blencowe and trainer Andrew Balding. The son of Cracksman was purchased from the Goffs Orby Sale for €80,000.
  • Miss Funky Monk claimed her maiden win at Wolverhampton on her third start for trainer Tom Clover. The daughter of Shalaa, bought for just €10,000 from Arqana’s Mixed Summer Sale, had placed in her prior two outings and looks set to progress further for connections.

A Festive Note of Thanks

As the year draws to a close, JS Bloodstock Consultancy extends heartfelt gratitude to all clients and partners for their continued trust and support. We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Here’s to another exciting year in bloodstock and racing