01 Jan December 2025 Review: Breeding Success and a New Chapter for Barton Stud

Posted at 09:47h in News by

December brought a busy and successful end to a landmark year for JS Bloodstock Consultancy. Our focus shifted toward the breeding market at the year-ending sales in Newmarket and Deauville, alongside further international representation in Bahrain.

 

Tattersalls December Sales: Investing in Quality

The month began at Park Paddocks, where we were active across both the yearling and breeding stock sales:

  • Yearlings: We secured a sharp Showcasing x Free Spirit colt for 28,000gns on behalf of George Scott.
  • Mares & Breeding Stock: We focused on adding high-class physicals with deep pedigrees to our clients’ rosters:
    • Enfranchise (115,000gns): A standout purchase for Ladyswood Stud. This multiple stakes-winning daughter of Invincible Spirit is a stunning individual and is likely to be covered by Ghaiyyath in 2026.
    • Band Practice (75,000gns): Acquired for Colbert Stud, she is in foal to the dual Group 1-winning sprinter Shaquille. Shaquille has been incredibly well-received by the market, with his first foals averaging an impressive 58,659gns at the December sales.
    • Definitive (75,000gns): A daughter of Dark Angel bought for Moinge Combe Stud.
  • Qatar Exports: We also secured four mares for Al Rabban Racing to be exported to Qatar: Pay Court (4,500gns), Avenue Dargent (7,500gns), Glaciate (2,000gns), and Universal Grace (5,000gns).

Arqana December: Breeding Prospects

In Deauville, we secured two notable lots:

  • The First Dance (€60,000): Purchased for professional polo player Tommy Severn.
  • Shahah (€18,000): A daughter of Motivator bought in foal to the brilliant Prix du Jockey Club winner Ace Impact. She is a lovely long-term prospect and is scheduled to visit Scorthy Champ in 2027.

International Travel: Bahrain

I returned to Bahrain this month to oversee the seasonal reappearance of No Retreat. He performed with great credit to finish a close 2nd, showing he has settled well into the Middle Eastern circuit. Following this strong showing, he is now likely to head to Qatar for his next start.

 

Looking Ahead: Scorthy Champ Joins Barton Stud

The most exciting news to round out the year is a deal brokered by JS Bloodstock to secure Scorthy Champ to stand at Barton Stud for the 2026 season. As a Group 1-winning son of the sensational Mehmas, Scorthy Champ is the highest-rated two-year-old retiring to stud in the UK this year (rated 117).

His victory in the G1 National Stakes—a renowned “stallion-making” race—places him in elite company. Combined with his exceptional physical presence and a pedigree that includes Group winners like Malavath and Knight, he offers European breeders immense value at an introductory fee of £8,500. We are thrilled to have played a role in bringing a stallion of this caliber to Barton Stud and expect him to be extremely popular with breeders looking for precocity and class.