A pair of beautifully bred Juddmonte fillies were the star turns on the second day of the Tattersalls July Sale with both realising 300,000 guineas on a day that saw continued strong international demand and a clearance rate of 92% with the highest priced colt going to the Price Kent stable in Austalia.
Anacapa to Badgers Bloodstock for 300,000 Guineas
The first of the two top-priced Juddmonte fillies was the three-year-old FRANKEL filly ANACAPA who was knocked down to Badgers Bloodstock’s Grant Pritchard-Gordon for 300,000 guineas. The daughter of the four-time Grade 1 winner VENTURA is a full-sister to the Group 3 Prix de Lieurey winner FOUNT and to the dam of Group 1 Saudi Cup winner EMBLEM ROAD.
It is a family well known to Pritchard-Gordon who worked for Juddmonte for 17 years and commented:
"She has been bought for a long-standing European client, who loves Juddmonte families as much as I do. Seeing as we know so much about Juddmonte, it was the obvious thing to do."
He continued: "She is a lovely big filly, she walked well out there and it is a family I have known for a long time - I go back beyond Roupala [third dam]. She goes straight to the paddocks from here."
Avenue Bloodstock Secures Blue-Blooded Juddmonte Filly for 300,000 Guineas
The second Juddmonte filly to realise 300,000 guineas was the next lot into the ring, CALABRIA. The three-year-old daughter of KINGMAN and the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet winner ROMANTICA was purchased by Avenue Bloodstock’s Mark McStay. CALABRIA is a granddaughter of the two-time European Champion BANKS HILL, herself a daughter of the legendary Juddmonte blue hen HASILI.
"I have bought two very nice fillies from Juddmonte," said McStay, who also purchased lot 556 EVEN OUT for 80,000 guineas.
"Both very good physicals. As we know Juddmonte blood is very hard to come by, the farm is the best breeder in the world and I am absolutely thrilled to get them. We had to dig deep to get the filly from the Banks Hill family but it is probably the best pedigree in the book - when you see Banks Hill, Dansili, Hasili, Champs Elysees on the page, it doesn't need much explanation as to why you had to dig so deep and why there was such stiff competition to get her."
He added: "I fancy Kingman as a broodmare sire, he could easily make it. The fillies were beautifully presented by Juddmonte and recommended. The mating plans will be fluid for both, but they will go to some of the best stallions and will be given the best chance."
Bur Dubai Bound for Australia at 250,000 Guineas
The highest priced colt on the second day of the Tattersalls July Sale was BUR DUBAI, consigned by Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Induna Stables on behalf of Ahmad al Shaikh. The son of NIGHT OF THUNDER was knocked down to Jason Singh, bidding on the telephone on behalf of Price Kent Racing/Myracehorse Australia. The 89-rated three-year-old is a winner since catalogue publication and will head to Australia and into training with Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.
Michael Kent spoke on the phone from Melbourne and revealed: "We work the sectionals really hard and put hours and hours of work into that research. Although this horse's last start when he won by nine lengths was impressive, it was his run in a Listed race at Epsom in April that really impressed us when he finished sixth. It was a hot hot race and they ripped home, and he put in some really fast sectionals. He has got upside on upside on upside for us and has the perfect profile for Australia – he is fast, we love his sire, and he is the right type with bone, good feet and he vetted clean."
Of ownership plans, Kent outlined: "We have partnered with MyRacehorse, who have done so well, and we will syndicate the remaining percentage in the horse - there are shares available!
"We will give him six weeks and let him take advantage of your 'summer' and warmer weather – he will then ship and can slot into our routine. I worked in Newmarket and know Kevin – he is a lovely fella and is a great trainer who looks after his horse really well, that was a big positive for us too."
City House to Scott & JS Bloodstock for 180,000 Guineas
The 2023 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale has provided a rich seam for the Gredley family in 2024. Through agent Freddy Tylicki the family purchased flagbearer AMBIENTE FRIENDLY who won the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial before performing with great credit when second and third in the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby, and under the family's Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs banner they also purchased CITY HOUSE for 85,000 guineas.
Trained by James Fanshawe alongside the Derby runner up and offered by Fanshawe’s Pegasus Stables, the winning NIGHT OF THUNDER colt was offered this time at the Tattersalls July Sale with an official rating of 87 and was knocked down to JS Bloodstock/G Scott Racing for 180,000 guineas.
Trainer George Scott enjoyed an excellent winter last season with his string of horses in Bahrain, said: "We enjoyed our time in Bahrain and we were looking for a couple of sprinters, and all being well he will end up there. City House looks a really robust horse – James Fanshawe has done a great job with him and there look to be plenty of miles left on the clock, he gave him a positive write up. Equally as important Callum [Shepherd] and Dan Muscutt both rode him and really like the horse too.
"He looks like one who will go on fast ground and could run over a stiff five or six furlongs, there is great prizemoney in Bahrain and it is great fun. My client is new to me and he is based in London, but has some of his own clients in Bahrain and Dubai. He will be working over there a bit in the winter so he would like some action while he is there."
Of the 180,000 guineas purchase price, Scott said: "I thought he'd make a bit less than that but I am also not surprised – I thought we'd have to fend off the people who looked as though they were bidding against us."
The Tattersalls July Sale continues at 9.30am on Thursday, 11th July.
