Night Of Thunder Colt Tops Final Day of Strong Tattersalls October Book 1

Four further million guineas lots on the third day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale took the final tally of million guineas yearlings for the sale to a record equalling tally of 17. From a reduced catalogue, healthy trade was reflected in the average rising 12% to almost 360,000 guineas, and the median climbing 10% to 230,000 guineas.

Fittock Stud’s Night Of Thunder Colt Makes 2,200,000 Guineas

Fittocks Stud’s NIGHT OF THUNDER colt was added to Ace Stud’s Book 1 purchases when they secured him with an online bid of 2,200,000 guineas.

He is out of the SEA THE STARS mare CAPTURE THE HEART, who is an own-sister to the Group 3 winner and the dual Group 1 placed RIVER OF STARS. He was sold by Luca and Sara Cumani’s Fittocks Stud on behalf of South African owner-breeder Nick Jonsson.

“I love racing, so I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to sell him”, explained Jonsson. “This is really mostly thanks to Luca and Sara. At one point I was planning to send this mare to South Africa, and Sara said that I would be mad to do that and to keep her here instead. This colt has a walk on him that’s quite extraordinary, and let’s hope he’s a great success for his new connections”.

Of his racing background in South Africa, Jonsson said: “My great-grandfather founded the Durban Turf Club in 1887, and I’ve got 100 horses in training. I’ve had horses for 35 years in South Africa. We love racing and it’s been great fun. I’ve also got a few horses here with William Haggas – he and Maureen are old friends.”

Sara Cumani added: “Everybody says the same thing, but he really has been a superstar ever since he was born. He’s been a real joy. It’s awfully exciting going forward as the mare is very young.”

Godolphin Strike For a Familiar Frankel Colt 

Longview Stud’s FRANKEL colt out of the Listed winning DUBAWI mare CRYSTAL ZVEZDA became the sixth horse to sell for 2,000,000 guineas or more at Book 1 of this year’s Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when selling for 2,000,000 guineas to Godolphin. Out of a half-sister to Champion older horse CRYSTAL OCEAN as well as Grade 1 winner HILLSTAR, this colt’s year older half-brother by SEA THE STARS was purchased by the same connections for 3,700,000 guineas at this sale last year. CRYSTAL ZVEZDA has also produced CRYSTAL CAPRICE, who was third in the Listed Rosemary Stakes. 

Successful bidder Anthony Stroud said: “This colt is bred on a very good cross that’s worked before, and we like the two-year-old, who we purchased here last year.” 

Expanding on the colt’s appeal, he commented: “He hails from a wonderful family developed by the Rothschilds, and, providing everything goes according to plan, he should be a horse with the capability of becoming a stallion.”

Comparing this yearling to his 2024 born half-brother, Stroud said: “Last year’s colt was bigger and stronger and looks a real mile and a half horse. This horse to me looks like a neat, quality type. You could see him running over 7f, and he looks like a horse who will run as a two-year-old.”

Regally Bred Justify Colt Makes 1,300,000 Guineas

The JUSTIFY half-brother to Classic winner CAMILLE PISSARRO and the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup winner GOLDEN HORDE made 1,300,000 guineas when bought by Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock from Clara Stud.

“It is quite rare that you see a colt out of a dam who has produced two Group 1 winners come to auction,” explained Brown. “I’m also a massive fan of Justify. It is very rare to see a young stallion have a Guineas winner, a Derby winner, a St. Leger winner in his first few crops. I’m very high on him and I think he’s only going to get better.”

Of the colt himself, he commented: “This colt is also the most outstanding individual. Walking around out here, he just looked different. He’ll go Malcolm Bastard to be broken in, and that is the only plan made so far.”

Reflecting on the sale as a whole, he mused: “The top end of this week has been exceptional. International people from every corner of the globe have been here competing to buy British and Irish thoroughbreds, and that’s what’s driving that top. We’re very lucky that there’s people with big pockets who are willing to come and play.”

It is the biggest result in the ring for the mare ENTREAT so far. Consignor and breeder James Cloney said: “I have still got the goosebumps. She is a wonder mare, and she has left it behind in the ring there every time. He is a great individual by a great sire, and to break the million mark again is a huge thing for me.”

Of the decision to use Justify, he explained: “It happened over a couple of bottles of Heineken. I wanted to send her to a sire who was going to be a bit unique. Luckily, Mr Magnier agreed and we loaded up the mare and sent her on. I blame it on Heineken!”

A Record Price for Forenaghts Stud’s Night Of Thunder Filly

Forenaghts Stud’s NIGHT OF THUNDER filly became the highest-priced yearling the stud has ever sold when purchased for 1,000,000 guineas by Godolphin.

It is the continuation of a brilliant year for Tony Smurfit’s farm both on the racecourse and in the sale ring, having bred and sold the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes winner NABATI, also by NIGHT OF THUNDER and sold for 850,000 guineas to Godolphin at October Book 1 last year.

Farm manager Caoimhe Doherty exclaimed: “I’m shocked! When she hit 500,000 guineas, I thought great, now we’re hurling. But it just kept going and I couldn’t believe it. I hope Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin can do as well with her as they have done with Nabati.”

Of the year the farm has enjoyed, she added: “I didn’t think it could get better after the Mill Reef, and then Tattersalls Ireland was unbelievable.” She continued: “We are an all-female team on the horse side and I’m so proud of the girls. They’re just class. Hazel and Kelly are here and then there’s Imelda and Laurie at home.”

Paying tribute to the stud’s principal, she said: “It’s fantastic for Tony and his wife. He’s been in the business for 40 years, and he’s rowed in again and again and again. I think it’s finally all come to fruition for him. The Irish industry needs people like Tony, and I’m just so pleased that he’s being richly rewarded.”

This filly is the first foal out of the Listed winning CADEAU BELLE, and Doherty explained: “Fair play to Johnny Murtagh, as he bought her. She broke her maiden and then we bought her. She won the Listed Kooyonga Stakes for us in Tony’s colours and now look what she’s done! Again, it all goes back to Godolphin, as she is by Harry Angel and this filly is by Night Of Thunder, who has been so, so good to us.”

Managing Director’s Statement

At the conclusion of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Managing Director Matthew Prior commented:

“Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale is Europe’s premier yearling sale, and it was fitting that Park Paddocks and Newmarket once again became the focus of the international bloodstock world, welcoming a truly global audience for the cream of the European yearling crop.

“This week we have witnessed a European record for a yearling colt, with Norelands’ consigned son of Night of Thunder realising 4,600,000 guineas, a figure unmatched anywhere in the world this year. He was one of a record-equalling seventeen yearlings to realise one million guineas or more, whilst a remarkable 63 lots sold for in excess of 500,000 guineas, testament to the unwavering support of vendors and consignors from Britain, Ireland, France and Germany.

“There has been a vibrant atmosphere at Park Paddocks throughout the week, underpinned by the strength and depth of international participation. Of particular note, an unprecedented number of North American buyers to Park Paddocks who purchased more than fifty yearlings between them. Their growing participation has been underpinned by the continued success on the burgeoning US turf scene, and their support of the October Yearling Sale is greatly appreciated.

“We have also once again welcomed Godolphin’s principal, Sheikh Mohammed, to Park Paddocks. His continued support of the European racing and breeding industry, and of Newmarket in particular, is hugely valued. Equally, the enduring support of the Maktoum family and their associates, together with that of so many buyers from across the Gulf region, is something for which we are enormously grateful.

“We now look forward with a degree of optimism to Books 2, 3 and 4 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale as we continue the most important fortnight in the European bloodstock calendar.”

Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale will commence at 10am on Monday, 12th October.