Blue Point Colt Tops First Day of Tattersalls October Book 2

Robust trade continued from Book 1 into Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Ballyhimikin Stud’s BLUE POINT colt topped the first day of the sale when offered as a wildcard, selling to Blandford Bloodstock for 600,000 guineas. Strong demand resulted in 14 lots making 300,000 guineas or more, with a turnover of over 25 million guineas.

Blandford Bloodstock Add Blue Point Colt to Their Collection 

Ballyhimikin Stud’s Book 2 wildcard was sold for 600,000 guineas to Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock. The BLUE POINT colt was initially catalogued in Book 1 but was withdrawn by the consignor after showing signs of travel sickness. The colt is a half-brother to FLOTUS, a Group 3 winner as well as placed three times at Group 1 level and bought by Katsumi Yoshida for 1,000,000 guineas in the Sceptre Sessions at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. 

Jack Hanly, son of the farm’s owner James Hanly, said: “It has all worked out in the end and perhaps it all happened for luck.”

He explained: “He wasn’t right after travelling and we felt there was a big market here to sell them this week in Book 2, so we just took a chance. Tattersalls has been very good advertising the horse, they did an exceptional job. He is a beautiful and deserved to make what he has.”

Praising Ballyhimikin’s staff, he said:

“We bought him as a foal here at Tattersalls and we loved him then, but the team at home have just done an amazing job with him on the farm. They are the reason we’re able to get these horses here and get them to this position.”

Hillwood Stud’s Lope De Vega Filly Bought by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock 

Anthony Stroud went to 550,000 guineas on behalf of long-term client Peter Harris when signing for a LOPE DE VEGA filly from Hillwood Stud. The first foal out of the Listed winner MY EYES ADORE YOU, she hails from the family of Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner and Grade 1 Nearctic Stakes winner SERIOUS ATTITUDE. The mare also has a foal colt by Champion sire NIGHT OF THUNDER. 

“She is a gorgeous filly,” said Stroud. “I’m very grateful for Peter Harris’ involvement, enthusiasm and direction. He bought four horses last week, and he’s a complete legend. I have bought horses for him since I was 22 years of age. It’s nice that we have this relationship and words don’t really express what a great man he is.” 

Stroud elaborated on Harris’ purchasing patterns, explaining: “He has specific criteria and one is that the individual has to be by a proven sire. I won’t tell you anything else, it is a top secret!”

“She’s a lovely filly and she’s just shown beautifully the whole time she’s been up here”, said Hillwood Stud’s Charlie Vigors, who sold the filly on behalf of First Bloodstock. “She’s a very good first foal. She is incredibly well balanced, and she’s always been very athletic.”

Amo Racing Partners With Emmet Mullins to Secure Frankel Colt

Amo Racing teamed up with Emmet Mullins to purchase Hillwood Stud’s Frankel colt for 475,000 guineas. The colt is out of the Group 3 winner KURIOUS, a half-sister to the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner TANGERINE TREES and the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes winner ALPHA DELPHINI.

“He was bred by Fortescue Bloodstock, who are long-time supporters of ours,” said Hillwood Stud’s Charlie Vigors, who enjoyed a successful day of consigning.

Explaining the decision to send the colt to Book 2, Vigors added: “He’s always been a nice colt. He is probably slightly more precocious looking than a lot of the Frankels and we wanted to send him to this Book because we felt he’d be a better fit. Last week, he would also have been stood up against the Frankel colt out of Get Ahead in our own draft.”

A timely update over the weekend added to the colt’s appeal. “His two-year-old full sister was a very encouraging second first time out on Saturday in the maiden at Newmarket,” said Vigors. “She is with Ralph Beckett and looks very promising. That performance has been a great help to the page”.

Cheveley Park Stud Strike for Night Of Thunder Filly 

Carisbrooke Stud’s NIGHT OF THUNDER filly made 450,000 guineas when sold to Cheveley Park Stud. Breeder Yvonne Jacques said: “I’m extremely delighted to see who has bought her. She has gone to a great home, will end up going to a top trainer, and hopefully will eventually be a broodmare for Cheveley.”

Hailing from the family of Group 1 winner PROFITABLE, the decision to use NIGHT OF THUNDER for the filly’s dam IMPULSION was made when the Darley stallion stood at 100,000 guineas. “I was dead lucky to get him when I did,” commented the breeder. “I love my horses deeply, and it is always difficult to sell, but we do run a commercial operation. The Carisbrooke Stud team has done a great job, and I can’t thank them enough.”

Successful purchaser Chris Richardson joked: “It was a bit on impulse really! She’s a lovely, athletic filly with a wonderful mind, and Night Of Thunder has had a phenomenal year. Yvonne Jacques breeds great horses, so we’re happy to buy this filly from her.”

Of the filly’s future plans, he elaborated: “Mrs T will be discussing training plans at lunchtime, but nothing has been decided as yet. We bought four fillies last week and Mrs Thompson is enjoying the sales and getting some new blood in.” 

Chevely Park Stud has experienced great success with the stallion, most recently with their Group 1 heroine ESTRANGE, and Richardson enthused: “We’re big fans of Night Of Thunder. We’re looking forward to a few homebreds that we’ll be putting into training. He looks like he’s probably going to fill the shoes of Dubawi and I’m sure the nomination price will go up again, so I think this was a good time to invest.”

Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continues at 10am on Tuesday, 13th October.