360,000 Starspangledbanner Colt Tops Tattersalls Book 2 Finale

Media Release - Thursday October 15

Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale came to a close with a further five lots selling for 300,000 guineas or more as demand for quality yearlings continued unabated. In total there were nineteen lots that sold for 300,000 guineas or more and 48 that sold for 200,000 guineas or more, both records for this fixture. 

Stroud Strikes For Ballyhimikin Colt at 360,000 Guineas  

The top lot on the final day of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale was the STARSPANGLEDBANNER colt out of the CADEAUX GENEREUX mare VIOLET’S GIFT, who was knocked down to Stroud Coleman’s Anthony Stroud for 360,000 guineas.  

Starspangledbanner colt from Violet's Girl

The half-brother to the Listed-placed KODIAK WEST was consigned to the sale by James Hanly’s Ballyhimikin Stud.  

"We felt he was a very special horse all the way along, he has been special always, and we love Starspangledbanner," said Hanly. "I just want to thank Helen and Frisk [Jones] who do the daily hard work for minding this horse so well.  

"This is a family we have had for ever, we bred every single horse on the page. They are all very fast horses so hopefully this one will continue and will add to the family. It is lovely to be able to show horses such as this, it is a pleasure to be around them. Please god he is a good runner." 

Crisford Buys Churchill Filly for 340,000 Guineas  

The progeny of first season sire and 2,000 Guineas winner CHURCHILL have been in great demand this week and his daughter of the HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR mare PUSSYCAT LIPS was the most sought after, realising 340,000 guineas to the bid of Simon Crisford.  

Churchill filly from Pussycat Lips

"She is a lovely filly, very racy and athletic, and she showed herself off well," said Crisford. "MV Magnier really loved her, she will be for a Coolmore partnership."  

Advertisement

The Grade 3 placed PUSSYCAT LIPS has produced four winners from her four runners, including the Group/Listed placed pair SPECIAL PURPOSE and ROULSTON SCAR.  

The filly was bred and consigned by Croom House Stud, whose principal Denis Brosnan commented: "It was a wonderful sale and we are thrilled with the price, and we’re happy that she’s been bought by MV Magnier and will be going to Simon & Ed Crisford."  

Chairman’s Statement   

At the conclusion of Book 2 of the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;  

“At the conclusion of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale last week we expressed our sincere thanks to all those who contributed to a yearling sale which, although conducted amidst a backdrop of global turmoil, performed with remarkable resilience. The message at the conclusion of Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale is very similar. We are enormously grateful to every single participant over the past three days, not only for their individual contributions to a sale which has held up remarkably well under the circumstances, but for working with us every step of the way in our efforts to stage the sale in as safe an environment as possible. The COVID pandemic continues to wreak havoc in all walks of life and to have conducted nine sales here at Park Paddocks since the last week of June is a mighty achievement by all concerned and could not have happened without a huge collective effort.  

“Newmarket is very much the hub of the European racing and breeding industries and the last few weeks have demonstrated that, despite all the obstacles, business has been able to continue, albeit at lower levels than in recent years. Newmarket has an extraordinary and unique infrastructure and never more has this been apparent than at Books 1 and 2 of the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sales.  

“Book 2 has without doubt benefitted from the momentum established at Book 1 and similar to last week, the buyers have consistently remarked on the quality of the stock being offered. As ever the consignors from Britain, Ireland, France and Germany have presented us with a catalogue of genuine quality and the buyers have demonstrated that, even in these challenging times, there is a global appetite for quality bloodstock and the sport of horseracing. Participation from throughout the Gulf region continues to be hugely influential and the sustained involvement from American, Australian and Hong Kong interests has also been notable alongside determined domestic involvement. Tomorrow we move on to Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale which is another Tattersalls yearling sale that consistently attracts buyers at all levels of the market and we will conclude the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale on Saturday with Book 4.” 

Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale starts at 10am on Thursday 15th October.  

Advertisment
More Reading...
New SW The Autumn Sun – Matusalem Wins Albury Cup
Several of the big Sydney stables dispatched runners south on Thursday for the $200,000 Listed Albury Gold Cup (2000m) and it was Chris Waller who got the cash with tough four year-old gelding Matusalem.
The Road Less Travelled - Inglis Easter
Is it possible for a budget conscious breeder to make their mark in a super selective and super elite sale such as Inglis Easter? With the clearance now hitting 87% following five additional sales since Monday night it turns out the answer is yes.
Debut Winner for Ole Kirk
Ole Kirk unleashed another debut winner at Wyong on Thursday when Tiberius carried the Darby Racing colours to victory in a 1000m open maiden beating older rivals to become the tenth winner for his sire from just 17 starters!
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
A busy set of trials at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning featured five heats for juveniles with winners including unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Hellbent and Bivouac.
Trelawney Trio Shine at Inglis Easter
Trelawney Stud were quietly confident they had taken the right trio of yearlings across to the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney this week and that was reflected with some outstanding results. 
Te Akau Purchase $1million Snitzel Colt From Kiwi Bred Mare
Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis was once again to the fore in the sales ring this week, but this time at Inglis’ Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney.
Inglis Easter Pinhook Winners - See the Full List
With a super strong market at Inglis Easter this week it was no surprise to see some very successful pinhook results and the best of them was a handsome chestnut colt from the first crop of Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside that sold for $650,000.
Hong Kong Wrap - Happy Valley Wednesday
Deep Field had a new winner at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, making it 22 for the season and 60 overall in Hong Kong, while there were new winners for Needs Further and Showtime and Mark Newnham and Jamie Richards trained doubles.
Geese That Lay Golden Eggs – What’s in the Future?
The 2025 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale was highlighted by 25 yearlings that sold for $1million or more which was seven more than last year when 18 were in the millionaires club following on from 26 in 2023.
One to Watch – UK 2YO
Super interesting winner at Newmarket on Thursday was a Godolphin homebred two year-old colt by Wootton Bassett (GB) that won on debut and is on track for Royal Ascot.