Stars aligning as Sheikh Mohammed and co arrive at Tattersalls ahead of potentially momentous Book 1

There are 449 blue-chip lots in Book 1 of this year’s Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. As you would expect, the vast majority are bred in the deepest shade of purple. Before withdrawals the catalogued contained siblings to 45 Group 1 winners, meaning one in almost every ten yearlings has a top-level scorer among their immediate relatives. 

However, one among those 449 promises to stand head and shoulders above the others. Lot 72 from Staffordstown, Ireland is by Frankel and out of Alwilda, making Kirsten Rausing’s filly a sister to none other than Alpinista, winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe two years ago. 

The question on everyone’s lips is: how much is she going to cost? There have been other siblings to Arc winners offered at the yearling sales before, but it would be fair to say none of those possessed quite such a flawless profile. 

Nonetheless, it is worth considering what other yearlings with similar credentials have fetched to gauge what sort of ballpark we are dealing with. 

The most recent example is Caelestis, a Dubawi half-sister to 2019 Arc hero Waldgeist who commanded 1,250,000gns from Al Shira’aa Farms in 2021. Before that, two siblings to Golden Horn, who triumphed in Europe’s richest race in 2015, changed hands at Tattersalls, with Frankel colt Dhahabi fetching 3,100,000gns from Godolphin in 2019, while the same operation gave 2,000,000gns for Princesse D'Or, a filly by Frankel, 12 months later. 

The only full-sibling to an Arc winner in recent times is Terre, a sister to back-to-back heroine Treve. She was led out of the Arqana ring unsold at €1.2 million, although she is by Motivator, who would not command anything like the commercial clout of a dual champion sire like Frankel. Incidentally, Hillwood Stud offers a Lope De Vega colt out of Terre as Lot 5. 

Sheikh Mohammed was among those in attendance at Park Paddocks on MondayCredit: Tattersalls

Even the more pessimistic estimates have the Alpinista sibling fetching somewhere in the region of 3,000,000gns, while some have suggested that the filly will become the most expensive yearling ever sold in Europe, which would mean surpassing the high mark set by Al Naamah in 2013. The Galileo sister to Oaks winner Was brought 5,000,000gns from Al Shaqab Racing. 

Another burning question is not only how much will the filly fetch, but whose bid will bring the gavel down?

The roll call of those working their way around the barns at Park Paddocks during a bright and slightly breezy Monday of inspections didn’t exactly narrow things down. That is to say, virtually anyone with the inclination and financial firepower to buy what one bloodstock agent described as a “collector's item” was in town. 

Sheikh Mohammed has been conspicuous by his absence at the headline sales at Arqana and Goffs this year, despite his team spending €5.27m on seven recruits at the latter event just last week. However, the ruler of Dubai arrived at Park Paddocks shortly before 3pm on Monday and duly began conducting inspections accompanied by a sizeable entourage. 

The team, including chief talent scouts Anthony Stroud and David Loder, steadily worked their way around the Wall Boxes and the Somerville Paddock before disappearing towards the Highflyer barns. 

And Godolphin were far from the only superpower on deck. Also combing the grounds were the Coolmore buying crew, headed by MV Magnier. Sheikha Hissa was leading the team from Shadwell, while Juddmonte’s Simon Mockridge and Barry Mahon were also carefully assessing a selection of stock. 

Other major players in attendance included Yuesheng Zhang of Yulong Investments and Kia Joorabchian of Amo Racing, while Gavin O'Connor, representative of upwardly mobile American owner John Stewart, was also doing his due diligence. There was a notable presence from Japan and the US, with regulars Mike Ryan, Chad Brown and Peter Brant joined by some newer faces. 

Fresh from victory in the Arc, Ralph Beckett and Juddmonte's Barry Mahon were in attendance at Park PaddocksCredit: Tattersalls

There is no better way to promote yourself to potential customers – new and old – than landing Europe's richest race, and newly minted Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe-winning trainer Ralph Beckett was already turning his attention to what comes next. 

“It’s one of those things that you’ll be able to enjoy more in retrospect than in the moment,” Beckett said of the events at Longchamp 24 hours earlier. “What happens as a result of it is important too, and that’s speaking generally and with regards to the filly. I’ve seen only 20 or so so far, but it looks like there’s a really nice bunch of yearlings here.” 

Asked if he expected to be getting involved in the action this week, Beckett said: “I’ll be acting on instruction, so we’ll see how that develops.” 

Few, if any, consignments were as busy as Newsells Park Stud, whose 27 lots were in such high demand that they created something of a traffic jam for those trying to navigate a route across the showing area outside Barn O in Somerville Paddock. 

“We’ve been showing since 7.30am and it’s been very busy, which is great,” said general manager Julian Dollar. “Because we started showing on Friday, the first few days can feel a bit steady, but it’s good to be busy today. There’s lots of people around, the usual suspects plus some new faces from the States, which is good to see. 

“I can’t remember the last time we didn’t see Sheikh Mohammed at Book 1, but it's always heartening to see him here, and even more heartening when he comes to see one of your horses. 

"It’s nice to see Sheikha Hissa here with her team too. There’s some good people around with a proven track record. Obviously Coolmore are very methodically and diligently going through everything as well, so fingers crossed.” 

Of course, the Alpinista sister is far from the only eyecatching pedigree in the catalogue. For a flavour of what is in store, consider that there are 20 lots by Dubawi, 21 by Frankel, 26 by Kingman and the same number by Lope De Vega, 22 by Sea The Stars, nine by Siyouni and 21 by Wootton Bassett, to list but a few. 

The Dubawi son of Nassau Stakes heroine Lady Bowthorpe is one of a number of youngsters out of celebrity dams at Book 1Credit: Laura Green

The catalogue also featured 20 mares who won Group 1s during their racing careers, including Glass Slippers, Lady Bowthorpe, Loving Dream and Snow Lantern, who are each represented by their first foal, all of which are colts by Dubawi. Another Group 1 winner, Wonderful Tonight, also has her first, a filly by Frankel. 

Among the other notable pedigrees are, to name but a few, the likes of the Too Darn Hot colt out of The Fugue (9, Watership Down Stud); the Kingman filly out of Oaks heroine Anapurna (75, Meon Valley Stud); the Siyouni sister to St Mark’s Basilica (107, Norelands); the Dark Angel sister to Charyn (183, Grangemore Stud); a son of Kingman and the Group 1-winning Persuasive (339, Cheveley Park Stud); Rizeena’s half-sister by Dubawi (403, Round Hill Stud); and Newsells Park's Siyouni half-sister to Ylang Ylang (407). 

Market conditions will likely have their part to play this week, and there is no escaping the fact this year’s yearling trade has not been entirely plain sailing. But if there is such a thing as a recession-proof pedigree, that is what Tattersalls is serving up this week. 

“I’m always someone who expects the worst but hopes for the best,” said Dollar. “I think the market has been tricky in the middle and I’m sure it’ll be tough next week into Book 3, but I’m hopeful Book 1 will stand up with so many quality horses.

“I haven’t been through the numbers yet but I feel like we’ve had more people coming through today and it certainly feels busy. We’re not going to get carried away though. I’ve got valuations on the horses and maybe you feel more confident if you have two or three people to help you out, but we’re not taking anything for granted. We’ve got a nice bunch of horses so hopefully they’ll be well received.” 

Only time will tell exactly how the next three days will unfold, but so far it seems as though the stars are aligning.

Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 factfile

Where Park Paddocks sales complex, Newmarket

When Three-day sale begins on Tuesday, with sessions starting at 11am

Last year’s stats From 470 offered, 391 sold (83 per cent) for turnover of 95,395,000gns (down 25 per cent), an average of 243,975gns (down 18 per cent) and median of 180,000gns (down ten per cent)

Notable graduates Al Riffa (sold by Kilminfoyle House Stud, bought by Joseph O'Brien for 150,000gns); Program Trading (sold by Fittocks Stud, bought by Mike Ryan for 250,000gns); Scorthy Champ (sold by Ballylinch Stud, bought by Joseph O'Brien for 155,000gns); Whistlejacket (sold by Camas Park Stud, bought by MV Magnier and White Birch Farm for 500,000gns); You Got To Me (sold by Glenvale Stud, bought by Alex Elliott for 200,000gns) 

Read more

‘A rare pearl to be put through the sales ring’ - Kirsten Rausing on Alpinista’s sister and more 

'Probably the nicest foal we’ve ever bred' - Chaldean's sister to be sold at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale 

Photo gallery: the calm before the Book 1 storm at Park Paddocks