'A big, strong type one can't help but like' - Oliver St Lawrence takes an early strike for €780,000 Frankel colt at Goffs Orby

Oliver St Lawrence was quick out of the blocks at the Goffs Orby Sale on Tuesday morning as the agent brought the hammer down at €780,000 to secure a well-related Frankel colt offered by Imad Al Sagar’s Blue Diamond Stud. Blandford Bloodstock’s Richard Brown was also in action early but ultimately filled the role of underbidder. 

“He’s by Frankel, who needs no introduction to any of us,” said St Lawrence. “He’s a big, strong, good-moving horse; the type that one can’t help but like. I don’t really know where he’ll go but he’ll head back to England for a client I don’t often buy for.” 

St Lawrence added: “I wouldn’t have bid too much more than that, I think that’s about what he was worth. There’s some really nice stock here generally and I think it’s an improvement on last year. There’s some nice, solid horses out there and I think Goffs have done a good job.” 

The colt is out of Tisa River, who joined the Blue Diamond broodmare band in December 2020 at a cost of 400,000gns. Breeders’ Cup success runs in the family with three winners at America’s headline meeting in the immediate pedigree. 

Oliver St Lawrence signs for Blue Diamond Stud's well-bred Frankel colt at Goffs Orby Book 1Credit: SARAH FARNSWORTH

Tisa River is a sibling to five winners, most notably Iridessa, who landed the Pretty Polly and Matron Stakes, as well as the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, and Order Of Australia, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile. That pair were bred by Aidan and Anne Marie O’Brien under the Whisperview Trading banner, as was another sibling in Santa Barbara, winner of the Belmont Oaks and Beverly D. Stakes. 

The O’Briens bought the Group/Graded 1-winning siblings’ dam, Senta's Dream, through BBA Ireland for just 14,000gns in 2013. In turn, Senta’s Dream is a daughter of Starine, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf in 2002 in which she got the better of Banks Hill and Islington. 

Tisa River has already done her bit to add to the page as she has bred two winners from two runners. Her first foal is Bolt Action, a dual scorer who also reached the frame in three Listed contests. The dam was purchased in foal to the up-and-coming Blue Point and the filly she was carrying in utero is Enchanting, who was last seen registering her third victory with a ready success in a useful sprint handicap at Goodwood. 

There should be plenty more to come too as Tisa River delivered a colt by Camelot on March 15 and returned to Frankel for her latest mating.

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