Book 1 triumph for Blandford
ALL eyes turned to Tattersalls this week with their October Book 1 yearling sale. Blandford enjoyed a very successful week, purchasing 15 lots for 2,664,000gns and ending the sale in the top five leading buyers.
Of the yearlings purchased lot 431, a son of Shamardal, was the most expensive at 350,000gns. This athletic colt is out of a Zafonic mare who has already bred three winners and comes from the family of Grand Lodge.
Throughout the week Galileo fillies were high on demand and Blandford managed to secure one (lot 332) for 340,000. This filly is bred in the purple as she is out of a Listed-winning Danehill mare in Secret Garden who has already produced a Classic winner in Roderic O’Connor.
Lot 83, a daughter of Pivotal, was one of the nicest fillies in the catalogue and she was knocked down to Blandford for 250,000gns. She is sure to be speedy as she is a full-sister to top sprinter Needwood Blade along with three other Stakes performers.
Lot 291, a colt by Shamardal and lot 375, a son of Danehill Dancer, were two of the most sought after colts of the week and they were bought for 330,000gns and 340,000gns respectively.
The bargain of the week could well have been lot 412, a Rock of Gibraltar colt who is a half-brother to recent St Leger winner Masked Marvel. He cost just 85,000.
The sale itself was a remarkable success with trade being the strongest since the economic downturn began in 2008.
Lots purchased (Guineas)
11 Lemon Drop Kid (USA) / Chalamont (IRE) B.F. 150,000
121 Duke of Marmalade (IRE) / Comeraincomeshine (IRE) B.F. 95,000
83 Pivotal (GB) / Finlaggan (GB) B.F. 250,000
204 Zamindar (USA) / Mennetou (IRE) B.F. 180,000
291 Shamardal (USA) / Prima Luce (IRE) B.C. 330,000
303 Duke of Marmalade (IRE) / Red Bloom (GB) B.C. 38,000
332 Galileo (IRE) / Secret Garden (IRE) B.F. 340,000
375 Danehill Dancer (IRE) / Tanami Desert (GB) B.C. 340,000
406 Dalakhani (IRE) / Venturi (GB) Gr.C. 140,000
412 Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) / Waldmark (GER) B.C. 85,000
431 Shamardal (USA) / Zither (GB) B.C. 350,000
459 Duke of Marmalade (IRE) / Apache Dream (IRE) Ch.C. 150,000
479 Teofilo (IRE) / Barbuda (GB) B.C. 26,000
493 Red Clubs (IRE) / Blue Holly (IRE) B.C. 30,000
495 Duke of Marmalade (IRE) / Boast (GB) B.F. 160,000