Emotional result as Phoenix Of Spain's brother brings 300,000gns at Tattersalls

There was a poignant result midway through Friday's session of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale when Oneliner Stables went to 300,000gns for the Lope De Vega brother to Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Phoenix Of Spain.

The colt, out of the Key Of Luck mare Lucky Clio, was consigned by Newtown Stud on behalf of Tourgar Bloodstock, the banner under which Arild Faeste breeds.

Faeste's late wife Cherry was responsible for breeding the Classic winner, who now stands at the Irish National Stud, but passed away in September 2018, before Phoenix Of Spain had revealed the true extent of his talents.

Newtown Stud's Cathy Grassick, who has a particularly close association with Lucky Clio and the Faeste family, reflected on the result, saying: "Arild has kept everything going himself and has been helped by his daughter Nina.

"Nina's my best friend, we started bid-spotting at Goffs together and that's how I got to know her parents. They asked me to buy some mares for them and the first one was Lucky Clio.

Cathy Grassick: 'Arild's an amazing man and does a great job'Credit: Laura Green

"I'd say there are a couple of very emotional people back in Ireland because this is the full-brother to Phoenix Of Spain, and with Cherry having passed away in the middle of his career she didn't get to see him win the Guineas. I'm sure Arild is delighted with the result so I'm very happy for them."

The 16-year-old Lucky Clio has a long-standing link with the Grassick and Faeste families, as she was purchased as a yearling by Brian Grassick, Cathy's late father, for €130,000 in 2005. Although she was no great shakes on the racecourse, she has proved a much more valuable producer, having been picked up by Cathy Grassick on behalf of Cherry Faeste for 17,000gns at the 2007 December Sales.

She has since produced seven winners, four of which have gained black type, with Phoenix Of Spain joined by the Group 3-placed Central Square and Kingsdesire and the Listed third Lucky Beggar. She has also proved a money-spinner at the sales, with her latest public offering her seventh son to fetch six figures.

Asked how the colt sold on Friday compared to his illustrious full-sibling, Grassick replied: "He's a different colour! But he's very similar in temperament; they're both unflappable and both great walkers, very athletic.

The Lope De Vega colt out of Lucky Clio taking it all in at TattersallsCredit: Laura Green

"That's what appealed about Phoenix Of Spain; when he came to the sale he stepped up a gear and handled it really well, and so did this horse. I hope he's very lucky for his new owners.

"They've both taken characteristics from both parents. Lucky Clio is quite petite and pretty and she's a great producer. She takes something from every stallion she goes to and has done so well."

Although Newtown Stud had the responsibility of selling the foal at Park Paddocks, Grassick paid tribute to the equally important efforts Arild Faeste had put in before the sales prep began.

She said: "Arild keeps Lucky Clio at his place and does all the work down in Waterford, just across the road from Henry de Bromhead, we just take her to foal and then to prep the stock.

"Arild's an amazing man and does a great job. Up until two years ago he had only two mares and the other bred Grandeur - he's done magnificently."

Grassick has long been an admirer of Lope De Vega, who is due to stand for a career-high fee of €125,000 at Ballylinch Stud in 2021.

"I'm a big fan and have been right from the start," she said. "The first time I saw him, I drove down to see him in the snow. I'll always remember that as it was a hairy journey, but it was worth it as he's been very good to us."

Gerard Lowry: 'He had the x-factor and the individual matched the pedigree; you need all that for Book 1'Credit: Laura Green

The purchase was a second big strike by the Oneliner Stables pinhooking team, who also went to 170,000gns for the Sea The Stars colt who topped the second session of the four-day sale. As was the case during Thursday's session, Oneliner were bidding online despite being at Park Paddocks.

"He was our standout of the day," said the operation's Gerard Lowry. "We've never seen a full-brother to a Classic winner come to the foal sales before. Lope De Vega had an outstanding year, with Aunt Pearl winning at the Breeders' Cup, Lucky Vega, Cadillac and so many other high-class two-year-olds."

Lowry added of his acquisition: "He had the x-factor and the individual matched the pedigree; you need all that for Book 1. He came from a good home in Newtown, and the breeders down in County Waterford, Arild Faeste and his family, have done a wonderful job. I'm delighted they've been rewarded.

"Hopefully he's lucky for us. We had luck with Lope De Vega in Book 1 this year when we sold one to Demi O'Byrne and White Birch Farm [pinhooked for 180,000gns, resold for 450,000gns]."

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