Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock Join the Fray at Tattersalls

Mark Smith - Thursday October 7

The newly formed partnership of Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock joined the action on a hectic final day of Book One of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

As a son of Epsom Derby winner Australia out of a half-sister to Melbourne Cup hero Rekindling, lot 418 was going to be on the radar of Australian buyers, and it was Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock that came out on top.

Consigned by Aughamore Stud, this colt had a magic walk, and he had plenty of time in the ring to show it off.

After a protracted bidding duel, Johnny McKeever acting for the Victorian trainers had the final say at 240,000gns.

A half-brother to two winners out of the Diktat mare Batoosh, the bay colt has a deep, deep pedigree that goes well beyond Rekindling.

It includes the champion fillies Chiquita and Alexandrova as well as Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes winner Magic Wand.

Yulong Investments and BBA Ireland picked up their second Dubawi colt of the sale when the hammer came down at 425,000gns for the Watership Down Stud consigned colt (lot 397).

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If he can gallop, he has stallion potential as he is a half-brother to Frankel’s Group III winner and Group 1-placed son Elarqam and the Group III winning Oasis Dream colt Fountain Of Youth.

His dam Attraction (Efisio) was the Champion 2yo filly in Europe in 2003 and Champion 3yo filly in Ireland in 2004. Her ten wins included five at the highest level in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket,  Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh, Coronation Stakes at Ascot, Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket and Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

After picking up a Frankel colt on day one and a Nathaniel filly on day two, Mick Price teamed up again with Dermot Farrington to secure a Lope de Vega (IRE) filly for 150,000gns. (lot 380)

Consigned by Jamie Railton for Knockenduff Stud, the filly is a half-sister to the triple Group II winner and Group 1-placed Breton Rock out of the stakes-winning Rock Of Gibraltar mare Anna’s Rock.

Among the two purchases by the Hong Kong Jockey Club on the final day of Book One was a half-brother to Walton Street, a gelding featured here recently.

Winner of the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine, Walton Street, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s 255,000gns Oasis Dream colt (lot 430) are out of the Group II Matriarch Stakes winner Brom Felinity (Encosta De Lago), a sister to Group 1 Australian Guineas winner Delago Brom.

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