Where Did They Come From?

[Wandering Eyes]

The field for the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas is dominated by homebreds from the major operations, but Yuesheng Zhang, who is in the throes of setting up his own worldwide breeding empire, has an interesting prospect in Yulong Gold Fairy, who was secured for just €8,000 and, as a dual winner at two and a Group 3 runner-up at three, looks exceptionally well bought.

Alghabrah (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB})

A fourth generation Shadwell homebred half-sister to Awtaad (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), the winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas two years ago, and from the family of 1983 2,000 Guineas winner Lomond.

Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire})

Another homebred, this time by the Niarchos family, and a great grand-daughter of the outstanding Miesque.

Chiara Luna (War Front)

Racing for her breeder Moyglare Stud, she hails from a family which has served the Irish farm well since the purchase of her fourth dam, the Grade 1 winner Aptostar, at Fasig-Tipton’s Night of the Stars Sale for $750,000 back in 1989.

Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})

This sister to dual Guineas winner and young Coolmore sire Churchill (Ire) is a grand-daughter of the smart sprinter Airwave (GB) (Air Express {Ire}), who was bred by Richard and Tessa Watson and is a fifth-generation descendant of Midnight Dollar, a mare who first arrived at their Manor Farm Stud in Rutland to be used as a hunter. Airwave was sold to the Coolmore partners for 550,000gns as a 4-year-old.

Could It Be Love (War Front)

This statuesque half-sister to Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) was bred by the Playa Maya Syndicate and was a withdrawal from Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale.

Happily (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})

Bred and raced by Coolmore affiliates, her brother Gleneagles (Ire) won the 2000 Guineas in 2015, sister Marvellous landed the Irish 1000 Guineas and her dam You’resothrilling (Storm Cat) is a Group 2-winning sister to English and Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up to Giant’s Causeway, who went on to win five Group 1 races and sire Ghanaati and Footsepsinthesand (GB), both winners of the Newmarket Classics.

Lightening Quick (GB) (Frankel {GB})

Homebred by Qatar Bloodstock from their first Group 1 winner Lightening Pearl (Ire) (Marju {Ire}), who was bought as a yearling by David Redvers from breeder Castlemartin Stud at the Goffs Orby Sale for €125,000.

Most Gifted (War Front)

Another Coolmore homebred, Most Gifted’s grandam Gwynn (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) was bought as a yearling from Camas Park Stud for 250,000gns back in 1998 and went on to produce the 2011 Derby winner Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).

Scriobh Nua (Ire) (New Approach {Ire})

Bred and trained by Jim Bolger for his wife Jackie, this once-raced maiden is a three-parts sister to five black-type performers by Galileo, including the 1000 Guineas-placed duo of Cuis Ghaire (Ire) and Gile Na Greine (Ire). She was offered for sale as a foal and as a yearling, each time being bought back, for €450,000 and €675,000.

Soliloquy (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})

A Godolphin homebred out of the Australian listed winner Dysphonia (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) from a family inherited when Sheikh Mohammed purchased the Ingham family’s Woodlands Stud in 2008.

Uluru Park (Ire) (So You Think {NZ})

Bred, trained and owned in partnership by Jim Bolger’s former assistant Brendan Duke, Uluru Park is the first foal of the Duke-trained maiden winner I’m Sheikra (Ire) (Captain Rio {GB}), who was unsold when offered as a yearling at Tattersalls in 2010.

Who’s Steph (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire})

Bred by Patrick Headon, Who’s Steph was sold as a foal at Goffs for €20,000 and doubled in value when offered by Whitehall Stud at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, where she was bought by her trainer Ger Lyons. Since claiming the first of her two Group 3 victories, she has been sold privately to George Strawbridge.

Yulong Gold Fairy (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB})

The least expensive in the field of those horses offered at auction, this Lady Fairhaven-bred filly was bought for 3,000gns as a foal at Tattersalls and was reoffered by Woodtown House Stud at the Goffs Sportsman’s Sale where she was bought for €8,000 by Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland for Yuesheng Zhang.

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