Trotting Chat

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE — From Newmarket bargain buy to Deauville showstopper, Half Sovereign made “a dream come true” on Saturday when selling to Henry Lascelles for €2.6 million to headline the opening session of the Arqana Vente d'Elevage. Offered by Consign Ltd on behalf of trainer Karl Burke and his partner in the daughter of Ten Sovereigns, Adam Spratt, the two-year-old has gone from strength to strength since her low-profile appearance at last year's Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale. Purchased by Burke for just 12,000gns at Park Paddocks, Half Sovereign has gone on to win five of her seven subsequent starts, culminating with an impressive victory in October's G3 Prix Miesque at Chantilly. Little over a week later she was announced as a wildcard for the Vente d'Elevage, setting in motion the events which had Chloe Battam of Consign Ltd in tears as the bidding progressed rapidly under the Deauville lights on Saturday evening. David Redvers proved a determined underbidder, acting on behalf of Resolute Racing's John Stewart, but Lascelles ultimately won out to secure the filly for an undisclosed client. For Burke, the sale was made even sweeter once it was confirmed that Half Sovereign is set to stay in training with him at his Spigot Lodge in Middleham. “It's a win-win situation,” said the thrilled trainer, who would have been significantly worse off had he accepted a previous offer for the filly from a certain Yorkshireman with a nose for a bargain. “I worked the Somerville with Elaine, my wife, and we just loved her. We couldn't believe we got her for 12 grand. Before I signed the docket, Mick Easterby came up and offered me a grand profit! “Luckily for Adam [Spratt], a friend of his came up and said, 'Would you sell half of her?' I hadn't met Adam at that time, but I said, 'Yeah, no problem.' He's a lovely guy and we would have sold half of her to somebody, so I'm delighted it was him.” He added, “When we first entered her, I thought she might make six or seven hundred the way the market's going. When I got here, all of the right people were on her and I thought then we had a good chance of making a million – but I certainly didn't expect that.” Burke has had a whole bunch of talented two-year-old fillies in his care this season, none better than the G1 Prix Morny heroine Venetian Sun (Starman). It will give the trainer some juggling to do next year, but a provisional plan is already taking shape for Half Sovereign and her Classic campaign, with a return to France on the cards in the spring. “With the size of her, you'd expect her to strengthen and we weren't too busy with her early on in the year,” Burke continued. “Obviously, we had a lot of nice two-year-olds early on this year and she was working nicely with them. She just kept progressing. We didn't aim too high to start with, but it was always the plan from midsummer to go down that sales route for the prize-money. “We'll see how she trains – we've got a lot of good yardsticks – but I would have thought it would be a French trial and then the French Guineas.” A winter of dreaming lies ahead for Burke but, for Battam and Harriet Jones of Consign Ltd, the work has already been done and a dream realised when it comes to their short association with Half Sovereign. “I'd say we'll be putting away a few champagnes in Deauville tonight!” said Jones following the transaction which dwarfed their previous best result, at this sale last year when Burke's Dawn Charger (Soldier's Call) changed hands for €300,000. “I never thought this would be quite achievable. It's a dream come true in our second year, to have been able to offer a filly of this calibre and for everything to fall into place. The right people came to the door and this has exceeded expectations, for sure. “After she achieved a million, which we thought we might be able to get, it all became quite surreal. I sort of did enjoy the bidding process after that. It's the end of the season now for us as well, so it's nice to finish on a massive high.” Having been the one to deliver that massive high for all connected to Saturday's top lot, Lascelles added, “She's a Group 3 winner and you'd have to be excited about her next year. All she has done is improve and you'd think there's more improvement to come next year. She's got a lot of scope. She will be a breeding prospect down the road, but next year we're very much focused on her racing career. “I thought she was the best racing prospect here. When you look at some of the results last week in Newmarket, when there's not that many of them and two people lock on, fillies can make that sort of money.” It was Stewart, bidding through bloodstock agent Redvers, who joined Lascelles in locking on to Half Sovereigns, before eventually having to admit defeat. Speaking to the TDN from America, he added, “We are looking for horses to race and we had good luck last year, but there have not been many good racing prospects and that has pushed prices really high. The estimates were €800,000 to €1.4 million for her. “If it is a top filly anywhere, I am probably bidding. [It's] good to be a seller.” The reduction in top-class fillies available compared to last year was underlined by a 22% drop in the total turnover, from €42,559,000 down to €33,082,000, despite 16 more lots being offered. The average was down by 27% to €190,126 and the median by 31% to €105,000. Of the 227 lots offered, 174 sold at a clearance rate of 77% (from 83%). Pierre Talvard Gets His Pick of the Sale Lily Hart came into the Deauville sales ring as a sought-after prospect; a Listed-winning and Group-placed four-year-old filly, by Galileo and in foal to Wootton Bassett. She was, said Haras du Cadran's Pierre Talvard, his number one selection of the sale, and when the hammer fell and she was his at €1,050,000, he was temporarily too moved to speak. “She was my selection of the sale,” he said, wiping tears from his face. “I would have done anything for her. She is a daughter of Galileo, winner of a Listed race, in foal to Wootton Bassett – everything that makes me happy. Unreal.” Asked what his plans were for her, he said, “I don't know yet, but I'm going to reflect a little bit on it.” Bred by Coolmore, and raced by them in partnership with Masaaki Matsushima and Westerberg, the former Aidan O'Brien trainee was the second filly on the day to reach seven figures. The Galileo/Wootton Bassett cross has produced 10 stakes winners and four Group 1 winners to date. Margie's Music Makes a Million to Monceaux Margie's Music (Hurricane Run), the dam of two stakes horses including 'TDN Rising Star' and Group winner Mr. Hollywood (Iquitos), completed the session's trio of millionaires when sold to Ecurie des Monceaux's Henri Bozo for €1,000,000. The 11-year-old mare was offered in foal to Night of Thunder. “She really seems to produce well at the top level,” said Bozo. “I loved her physically. She has the class of Montjeu and Hurricane Run. She's in foal to a great stallion, so we really wanted to give her a good go.” Mr. Hollywood won the G3 Bavarian Classic in 2023 and is twice Group 1 placed. Just before purchasing Margie's Music, Bozo also claimed the winning €660,000 bid on Eyota (Golden Horn), the dam of Group-placed filly Kiss Melody (Almanzor) and a half-sister to dual Group 1 victress Flotilla (Mizzen Mast). Bozo said that plans for both purchases will be determined in the coming week. “It's a very competitive business and I'm always amazed to see how many good mares are heading to Japan,” he noted. “I really want France to keep producing good racehorses, so we decided with the partners to give this a good go and I'm delighted we were able to do it.” Classic-Placed Filly Bound for Piltown Echoing the sentiments expressed by John Stewart with regards the difficulty in acquiring top-class fillies, David Lanigan was relieved to land on a good one on behalf of another American owner, Scott Heider, when going to €875,000 to recruit the G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis winner and G1 Preis der Diana third Nyra. Consigned by Ronald Rauscher, the three-year-old daughter of Isfahan is out of an unraced half-sister to the Group 1 winners Novellist (Monsun) and Magical Lagoon (Galileo). Previously trained in Germany by Waldemar Hickst, she will now continue her racing career in Ireland with Joseph O'Brien. “She's three turning four and there's been very few of them on the market this year,” said Lanigan. “It's been very hard to buy any sort of filly privately that aren't four turning five. We tried to buy Lush Lips in Keeneland, but those fillies with that form are making top money.” He added of future plans, “This filly will stay a trip, so we'll start her off in Ireland and see how she goes. He [Heider] is very selective on the mares that he keeps and he's not afraid to put them back on the market when they've finished racing. On average, he keeps between 10 and 15 of his own mares. We've already got a lot of grass mares in Kentucky at the moment and he's probably more inclined to keep a dirt mare. It depends what she does. If she can go and improve on her race record, you'd like to think that you'd get your money if you put her back on the market when she's finished racing.” Session's Early Pacesetter Goes to Wertheimer et Frere The first real landmark result of the session was provided by lot 161, the four-year-old filly Paraiba (Soldier Hollow), a winner at two in foal for the first time to Siyouni. Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager for Wertheimer et Frere, won a protracted battle with Newsells Park Stud, taking the mare home at €810,000. She was offered by the Channel Consignment. “She was a good filly on the track and we knew she had the quality,” said Bureau. “It's a nice page and she's in foal to a proven stallion.” Out of the Listed winner Pearls Or Passion (Monsun), Paraiba is from the family of the G1 Matron Stakes heroine Pearls Galore (Invincible Spirit). “There are not that many who have everything like that,” Bureau added. “She was a bit expensive, and we were fighting against a big operation like Newsells as well, but we are very happy to have her.” Barton Stud Draft Finds Favour with Newsells Park and Fittocks The Newsells Park team enjoyed better luck later in the day when getting its hands on With Stars (Sea The Stars) (lot 239), in partnership with Fittocks Stud, for €870,000. Offered in foal to Zarak as part of the Barton Stud consignment, she is out of the G1 Prix Rothschild winner With You (Dansili), from the family of Call The Wind, Friendly Soul and We Are. Newsells Park owner Graham Smith-Bernal said, “Luca [Cumani, of Fittocks Stud] was absolutely determined to have her and she'll be owned in partnership between Fittocks and Newsells. We already had four and we'll have another two in partnership. We bought one at Tattersalls and this one will probably come to Newsells. We get first dibs this year. They had Innevera, whose yearling sold this year for 2.2 million gns, so we'll have this one, I think.” Still, the Cumanis can look forward to welcoming at least one new face to their Fittocks Stud, having stretched to €560,000 to secure Arandu (lot 167), an unraced daughter of Wootton Bassett and the triple Oaks heroine Alexandrova (Sadler's Wells). Another from Barton Stud, the three-year-old hails from a family synonymous with eye-watering sales at Arqana, with the millionaire siblings that have topped the last two editions of the August Yearling Sale among those featuring under this filly's third dam, Souk (Ahonoora). Fittingly, Souk herself sported the familiar Fittocks Stud colours when achieving a rating of 87 in six starts for Cumani, with the large majority of her progeny also starting their careers at the former trainer's Bedford House Stables. “We've always been very interested in this family because we go right back to the beginning,” Sara Cumani said of the dynasty founded by Souk. “I thought she [Arandu] was a really beautiful individual. She was gorgeous to look at and she's got the page. She obviously wasn't much good, but plenty of mares that weren't much good become good broodmares. It's just a family that we know very well and it's done everybody well along the way, so let's hope it carries on.” Barton Stud ended the session with an impressive average of €411,250 from four lots sold. Subplots Ginalyah – This year's G3 Prix de Flore runner-up Ginalyah (Chacknak), whose dam, Creamcake (Mr Greeley), also features as the second dam of the G1 Dewhurst Stakes winner Gewan (Night Of Thunder), is bound for the Chad Brown barn in America after being bought by Michel Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock for €800,000. “We bought her for Peter Brant and she's going to America to Chad Brown,” Zerolo confirmed. “She's a good filly and she fits the right profile to do well there.” Previously, Zerolo purchased the G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Rougir for Brown and Brant when she topped the 2021 Arqana December Sale at €3,000,000. She went on to win the following year's GI E. P. Taylor Stakes. Standout foal – Peter and Ross Doyle signed for the most expensive foal sold during Saturday's opening session, a Lope De Vega colt bought on behalf of an undisclosed client for €400,000. Lot 139, from the Haras d'Etreham draft, is out of the G2 Prix de Sandringham second Pure Zen (Zoffany), with his new connections yet to decide whether to race him or offer him for resale next year. “I thought he was the outstanding foal in the sale,” said Ross Doyle. “We came up against some of the best judges in the game, so we knew we were in good company. He's by a very good stallion and it's a very good cross. The mare was obviously a black-type mare and she's produced a horse rated 91 as her first foal. The Sea The Stars [yearling] was a big upgrade and is with Godolphin and Andre Fabre. Hopefully, Lope De Vega, with this cross, will be another upgrade again.” Sam Sangster – Less than four months on from Diego Velazquez's finest hour when winning the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, Sam Sangster returned to Deauville as a man on a mission, spending a total of €730,000 on six mares to send to the new National Stud resident next year. They were headed by a pair of €200,000 purchases, including Darousha (Redoute's Choice), a half-sister to Arc champion Daryz (Sea The Stars) from the Aga Khan Studs draft. Diego Velazquez was bought by Sangster shortly before his Deauville victory and it's apparent that the syndicate behind him is intent on giving him the best possible chance in his second career. Previously, Sam Sangster Bloodstock was registered as the buyer of five mares at the Tattersalls December Sale, spending a total of 1,800,000gns. Sue Finley and Katie Petrunyak also contributed to Saturday's report. The post Burke Celebrates ‘Win-Win Situation’ with Arqana Headliner Half Sovereign Staying in Middleham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, Chukyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, CHAMPIONS CUP-G1, ¥232,860,000, 3yo/up, 1800m Field: William Barows (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), W Heart Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro), Seraphic Call (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), Helios (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), Hagino Alegrias (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Ramjet (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior), Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Outrange (Jpn) (Regalo {Jpn}), Tenka Jo (Jpn) (Thunder Snow {Ire}), Sixpence (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Narukami (Jpn) (Thunder Snow {Ire}), Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Peptide Nile (Jpn) (King Kamehameham {Jpn}), Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), Luxor Café (American Pharoah). TDN Analysis: Despite carrying the deserved mantle of favouritism in the advanced wagering markets, Narukami has his work cut out for him. Wilson Tesoro is aiming to go one better after two years of runner-up finishes. From the younger brigade, the six-for-seven filly W Heart Bond looms a champion-in-waiting. Luxor Cafe, the little brother of dual G1 February Stakes hero and Japanese Champion Dirt Horse Cafe Pharoah is another who could put his brand on proceedings. Click here for the complete field. The post Black-Type Analysis: Luxor Cafe Could Surprise In Champions Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wathnan Racing’s Dark Trooper made a remarkable run from last to score in the final strides of the AED 1 million HH The President Cup at Abu Dhabi Turf Club Dec. 6.View the full article

The Galah posted some interesting China articles a little while ago . He might know what they are doing there. As a teen in the early 80's in NZ , I saw quite a few horses exported to MACAU for racing there, as well as the usual plane loads going to Aus and USA. thankfully I flew with some to Aus instead of Macau which would seem like the End of the World I imagine. and would not be about the horse racing enjoyment there. just the money. Macau harness racing folded after a time anyway and became a Big 'CASINO world Hotspot' for the mega-rich Chinese. The horse that improved 40m in this article thread,  BOLD MEDLEY JUJON has made his way to NSW now, and thundered to another very easy victory last night. I wonder if he will 'flame-out' shortly though ? .  

It took the length of the stretch, but Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo–Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile) closed the gap on the longshot to claim the GII Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct. Stalking the early pace set by 14-1 chance Mika (Catholic Boy), the 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was never too far off from that loose leader, but had his work cut out for him when they swung for home. The leader refused to come back, and it took a relentless drive from Bishops Bay to overhaul that one, but he did so in the shadow of the wire. Bishops Bay is two races shy of enjoying a perfect record this season–that lone off the board finish coming in the GI Forego Stakes Aug. 23 at Saratoga and his lone runner-up effort coming at his '25 opener at Oaklawn Park. He was last seen Nov. 2 winning the GIII Forty Niner Stakes to claim his spot in the gate for this contest.   Saturday, Aqueduct CIGAR MILE H.-GII, $500,000, Aqueduct, 12-6, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:34.62, ft. 1–BISHOPS BAY, 125, h, 5, by Uncle Mo 1st Dam: Catch My Drift (SW & GISP, $280,540), by               Pioneerof the Nile               2nd Dam: Drift to the Lead, by Yonaguska               3rd Dam: Drifa, by Tabasco Cat ($450,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $1,300,000 5yo '25 KEENOV). O-KAS Stables; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' $275,000. Lifetime Record: 13-9-3-0, $977,800. *1/2 to Catching Freedom (Constitution), GSW & GISP, $1,418,302; 1/2 to Strava (Into Mischief), MSP, $472,326. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Mika, 118, c, 3, Catholic Boy–History Supreme, by Speightstown. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($42,000 RNA Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $22,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O/B-Nice Guys Stables (KY); T-Michael J. Maker. $100,000. 3–Crazy Mason, 124, c, 4, Coal Front–Izshelegal, by Maria's Mon. ($20,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $27,500 Ylg '22 EASOCT). O-Donna Wright and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; B-Gmbracstables LLC, Mr. & Mrs. Ramon Rangel & Mr. & Mrs. Zachary Madden (KY); T-Gregory D. Sacco. $60,000. Margins: NK, 4 1/4, 2. Odds: 1.20, 14.82, 3.01. Also Ran: Phileas Fogg, Pentathlon, Brazenly. Scratched: Doc Sullivan. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post ‘Rising Star’ Bishops Bay Relentless in Cigar Mile, Overhauls Mika Late to Score appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article