'A massive team effort' - Highfield delight as Classical Wave tops Tattersalls

Highfield Bloodstock's Classical Wave was the most anticipated lot of the Tattersalls Online May Sale beforehand and did not disappoint when selling to agent Oliver St Lawrence on behalf of Fawzi Nass for 240,000gns.

The Juddmonte-bred son of Gleneagles, a three-parts brother to Irish St Leger third Weekender, was third on his debut for Henri Devin before selling to Highfield and Charlie Pigram for 24,000gns at last year's Tattersalls July Horses in Training Sale following two subsequent unplaced starts.

Trained by Peter Charalambous, the now dual-winning gelding was the subject of a stewards' inquiry when first past the post at Windsor last month. Despite an appeal, the decision to demote was held although it clearly was of little consequence to his new connections.

Highfield's James Clutterbuck said: "It's brilliant, although it's sad at the same time as I helped his trainer all the way through, but it is what it is and it's what he was bought for. It's been a massive team effort and Charlie [Pigram, part owner] is over the moon.

"He'll go to Roger Varian for Fawzi Nass. He was bought to do exactly what he's done and he's done it. People have tried so hard to buy him since winning his first race and none of them offered anywhere near what we got today."

St Lawrence added: "He’s been purchased with the Bahrain International and the King’s Cup next year in mind. He looks a progressive horse and he may have a run or two in Britain over the summer."

Classical Wave is the fourth foal of the Empire Maker mare Very Good News - a daughter of Juddmonte's mighty blue hen Hasili and a half-sister to the likes of Dansili, Banks Hill, Cacique, Champs Elysees and Intercontinental. He is not only a three-parts brother to Weekender but to the promising Media Stream, who was placed in stakes company earlier this term for Andre Fabre and Juddmonte.

Crimbourne Bloodstock's three-time winner Vegas Blue started off proceedings when selling to Coolmara Stables for 75,000gns.

The daughter of Getaway won her first two starts for Nicky Henderson, including a Listed bumper at Huntingdon, and also landed a maiden hurdle success back at the track in October. She is in foal to Nathaniel.

Coolmara's Kieran Mariga, who has acquired others in his time such as dual Grade 1 winner Petite Parisienne, said: "She was only bred a mile over the road. We're trying to get a few black type mares and her covering was good so that was another positive for her."

Out of the Milan mare Bella Venezia - a half-sister to the ill-fated Irish and Punchestown Gold Cup winner Bellshill - the six-year-old was bred by Frank Motherway and was a €10,000 purchase by Kevin Ross from Yellowford Farm at the 2015 Goffs December National Hunt Sale.

Vegas Blue was subsequently picked up by Highflyer Bloodstock for €30,000 at the 2018 Tattersalls Ireland June Derby Sale, 11 months before making her racecourse bow for Seven Barrows.

Overall, 19 lots sold for a turnover of 493,800gns, an average of 25,989gns and a median of 10,500gns.

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said: “The Tattersalls Online platform continues to grow with a new record for a colt/gelding in training of 240,000gns for Classical Wave and a head-to head battle between Middle Eastern and Australian interests.

"The number of interested bidders continues to increase as does the quality and quantity of the horses on offer."

He added: "This is only the fourth Tattersalls Online Sale and the positive response from both vendors and purchasers is encouraging for the future development of Tattersalls Online sales which have already clearly demonstrated their appeal to domestic and international buyers."

Read more

Record-equalling point purchase Classic Getaway ready to rumble under rules

Mark Grant Q&A ahead of Arqana and Goresbridge breeze-up sales

Will Kinsey looking to the future with the rejuvenated Stormy Ireland

No limit to Jim Bolger's achievements with homebred one-two in Curragh Classic