Scat Daddy daughter New Jazz shares top billing on day one

Tony Nerses - racing and bloodstock adviser for Blue Diamond Stud - would not be denied in his quest to secure a daughter of Scat Daddy for the operation when successfully bidding for New Jazz during the opening session of the two-day Tattersalls July Sale in Newmarket on Thursday.

The four-year-old was the first lot to be offered by Godolphin and did not disappoint when sending the bidding into six-figure territory.

"The good-lookers are always hard to buy," said auctioneer Matt Prior as he drummed up interest in the mare, with Nerses landing the winning bid of 130,000gns from his position by the holding area.

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"We've always wanted a Scat Daddy but they are hard to buy," said a delighted Nerses.

"We saw her at the yearling sales but she was beyond our pocket. She's a lovely individual with a decent page and has been bought for Imad Al Sagar of Blue Diamond Stud. She will be a mate for Decorated Knight, who suits every type of mare."

New Jazz, who shared top billing with 50 or so lots left to sell, was a $550,000 acquisition for Godolphin at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2017 and won a Yarmouth mile maiden in July last year to earn a Racing Post Rating of 84.

Out of the stakes-placed English Channel mare Seanchai, New Jazz was sent into the ring in foal to Harry Angel, whose wins in the Haydock Sprint Cup and July Cup saw him crowned champion sprinter in 2017. The son of Dark Angel stood his second season at Dalham Hall Stud this year at a £20,000 fee.

New Jazz: originally changed hands for $550,000 as a yearlingCredit: Laura Green

'Exciting pedigree'

Tim Lane, stud director of the National Stud, was the first to sign for a six-figure lot on the day when going to the same sum for the five-year-old Kodiac mare Kalagia.

Her year-older brother Prince Of Lir has made waves with his first crop of runners with his son The Lir Jet joining him on the Norfolk Stakes roll of honour at Royal Ascot last month.

"A top British breeder rang me and asked me to bid on his behalf," said Lane, who signalled the winning bid from his position on the stairs.

"I'm not sure of plans but she has an exciting pedigree and Prince Of Lir is flying."

Kalagia, offered by Highclere Stud in foal to its resident new sire Land Force, is also a half-sister to the Listed winner Nitro Boost.

Varian lends a hand

With travel restrictions having a major impact on this year's round of sales, Roger Varian took it upon himself to bid for the four-year-old Shamardal filly Gentlewoman on behalf of a friend.

"She's for someone who could not travel due to the current restrictions, and I've just helped out," said Varian, who signalled the winning bid of 125,000gns from outside the ring.

Gentlewoman, who is also carrying to Harry Angel, boasts a page replete with black-type performers, with her dam Satin Kiss a full-sister to the Middle Park Stakes scorer Lujain.

"It's likely she'll be going abroad - she's from a good family," added the trainer of Molatham and Mountain Angel, both of whom scored at Royal Ascot last month.

Full circle

Another familiar face at Park Paddocks on Thursday was Coolmore's UK representative Kevin Buckley, and he made his presence felt when stretching to 100,000gns for the Dark Angel filly Monya, who featured among the Shadwell draft.

"I bought her for David and Diane Nagle of Barronstown Stud," noted Buckley. "They bred her so they know her well."

The four-year-old Monya entered the Shadwell fold when purchased for 425,000gns from Barronstown Stud at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2017, and placed twice in three starts for trainer Charlie Hills.

Monya is out of the Danehill Dancer mare Bridal Dance, a noted producer whose runners are headed up by the German 1,000 Guineas heroine Hawksmoor and Royal Lodge Stakes scorer Royal Dornoch.

Figures

The first session saw 186 of the 194 lots offered change hands for a remarkable clearance rate of 96 per cent and total receipts of 4,172,000gns, which came at an average spend of 22,430gns and a median figure of 13,250.

More sales news:

Meadowview's midas touch on show with 140,000gns Tattersalls top lot

July Sale jewels: the bargain buys who went on to reap major rewards