Kitten's Joy filly helps breeze-up season to end on a high

Disruption to this breeze-up sales season from all directions has failed to alter the appetite for ready-to-run prospects and the trend continued as the swing drew to a close in Newmarket.

The Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Sale tends to be more bread-and-butter than five-star fare and, after deciding to shift an already postponed event across from its usual home at Fairyhouse only a fortnight ago to circumnavigate potential travel disruption for clients, the executive might have harboured hopes for a respectable clearance rate as much as anything.

A top lot of £220,000 for a daughter of Kitten’s Joy comfortably exceeded last year's highest figure and competition for three other six-figure purchases were further evidence of a market which has cocked a snook at what were admittedly low expectations.

View sales results here

Lot 74 represented a fabulous turnaround for Brendan Holland of Grove Stud, who had selected her for just $27,000 at Keeneland last September. Her dam, the Chester House mare Desertstormelite, was quite useful in the US and has shown some flair from the paddocks.

It was Jamie Spencer, only just back in the competitive action after a broken hip, who saw off agent Alex Elliott to see the deal, although the jockey confessed he was jobbing on behalf of trainer David Simcock and an existing client.

The combination had earlier secured Knockgraffon Stables' impressive-breezing Free Eagle colt for £82,000.

Holland said of the Kitten's Joy: "I bought her off my pals at Hunter Valley, I saw her when I went over last year, thankfully they sold her to me. She has done really well, she's a lovely, lovely filly, she has loads of quality. I'm delighted, it's a great result."

The consignor was happy to draw stumps on the show for 2020, although he will soon be back at the crease.

"Personally we have done fine," he said. "Most consignors are relieved it is all over and everyone is still in the game, I'd say. I look forward to relaxing and watching Goodwood next week, but we've got yearlings in and are starting to prep them."

Simcock is set to receive another big pinhooking success story as Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock was stood alongside the Newmarket handler when snapping up a £140,000 Dialed In colt.

Named Onesmoothoperator, he was bought by Ger and Yvonne Kennedy of Sherbourne Lodge for just $5,000 at Fasig-Tipton and left as the day's third top lot.

Walsh on the podium

The Kitten’s Joy filly was knocking a Night Of Thunder colt from Katie Walsh’s Greenhills Farm draft off the top of the table.

Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock had been successful with an offer of £160,000 for the first progeny of the unraced Fastnet Rock mare Kymera.

He is rich in heritage further down his page as his third dam, Saganeca, produced the likes of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Sagamix and Newsells Park’s blue hen Shastye, but it was the en-vogue Night Of Thunder which was the pull.

Greenhills Farm's Night Of Thunder colt was one of the day's star turnsCredit: Laura Green

"The sire speaks for himself, he's doing fantastic things," said McStay.

"This horse did an exceptional breeze, he vetted particularly well and was well presented by Katie. I'm delighted to get a Night Of Thunder, they're only going to get more expensive as the year goes on.

"He's for an existing client, goes to Ireland and probably to John Oxx."

Walsh explained that the colt was representing a familiar face.

"Micheal Ryan of Al Eile Stud bred him," she said. "They didn't go to a yearling sale and decided they would go to the breeze-ups. My father [Ted] trains for Michael Ryan, Micheal's father, so there's that association.

"When they asked if I would take this horse to breeze, I said 'absolutely, no problem'. The sire is on fire and he breezed really well."

Walsh had received the colt in the middle of January and the delay of this event since late May had not been a concern.

"He's an April 6 foal and the breeders wanted to give him every chance - he is tall, scopey and rangy and so this Goresbridge sale was always the plan.

"Personally, I was delighted to see the sale moved to here, you need the British clientele and the British-based clients, this is where they are. It is apparent when you go into the sale ring."

Walsh's day was not even done, as she also prepared a Lope De Vega colt from the family of classy French performers Corre Caminos and Racinger for £100,000.

He was bought by Peter Nolan on behalf of a new client and is heading to Ireland along with several others from the sale.

Katie Walsh was happy to start preparing for next year's breeze-upsCredit: Laura Green

"It's not been an ideal year for everyone, but trade has been really good and everyone's getting them sold, that's the main thing," said Walsh. "We can all go back shopping in a couple of weeks now, and that's what it's all about, it's been a short turnaround for everyone."

Prices hold up

Final figures were a little like comparing apples with oranges, or pounds and euros, to be precise, at least before conversion.

A total of 125 from 147 lots were sold at a clearance rate of 84 per cent, a little down on the 91 per cent of 14 months earlier, and for an aggregate of €3,800,006.

An average of €30,894 was up 10 per cent from €27,992 while the median of €21,978 was an impressive improvement of 22 per cent.

At the conclusion of the sale, Tattersalls Ireland director Simon Kerins commented: "Firstly, I would like to thank the vendors who have risen to the challenge of today's sale being relocated to Park Paddocks at the 11th hour!

"Like many in the bloodstock industry, the breeze-up consignors have had to deal with difficult circumstances in the run up to the season, notably with today's sale original dated in May, and they have met the change in date and venue with tremendous positivity and it was pleasing to see several vendors have excellent results.

"The bloodstock industry is truly resilient, and this was evident today by the strong demand for the choice lots. It was immensely satisfying to sell the second highest price ever for a two-year-old at the Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale with Grove Stud's Kitten's Joy filly selling for £220,000 to David Simcock."

He added: "There were considerable increases in the average of £27,284 and median of £20,000 considering that the numbers offered were down significantly on 2019, while the high clearance rate of 85 per cent also needs to be acknowledged.

"We can now look forward to the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale returning to Fairyhouse Racecourse and Tattersalls Ireland respectively in 2021."

The Tattersalls Ireland team look with positivity to hosting our Derby Sale and May Store Sale on the 18 to 20 August, followed by the August NH Sale on 27 to 28 August in Ireland."

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