American buyers out in force in search of other future stars

Without being responsible for any of the headline-grabbing lots, the proliferation of US buyers proved a constant theme during the first session of Tattersalls Book 1.

Although bloodstock has crossed the Atlantic for decades, the decision by trainer Chad Brown and owners Klaravich Stables to purchase from Tattersalls a couple of years ago was still considered quite original, and it was rewarded by a Breeders’ Cup win by Newspaperofrecord and a Grade 2 from Digital Age.

That pairing, along with another of Brown’s patrons in Peter Brant, owner of the ever-impressive Sistercharlie, were out in force.

Agent Mike Ryan was notably busy, with his name appearing on the docket for eight lots headed by the 500,000gns for the Galileo filly out of Wannabe Better (lot 110), from the family of Cheveley Park winner Wannabe Grand.

"She'll go to Florida to be pre-trained at Stonestreet and she'll race for a partnership and be trained by Chad Brown," said Ryan, who was among a group containing Jay Hanley, a co-owner of the brilliant turf mare Lady Eli.

"The first group of horses we bought here were very successful - we were very lucky. And the second group have started to run, we haven't had many runners yet but they're doing well and I think for sure that those results have prompted greater interest here this year from American buyers.

"The horses here are ones that may take a bit of time but they're sound and well raised. And the best grass horses in the world are here. The catalogue is so deep - you just have to look at the page of this filly, a Galileo on that kind of pedigree."

He added: "For me, Galileo is the best sire I've seen in my lifetime. They have so much heart and desire, that will to win. And his daughters are really good broodmares."

Ryan reached the same sum when signing for a Newsells Park Stud-consigned Dubawi (128), a half-brother to three-time Group 1 heroine Legatissimo on behalf of Brant’s White Birch Farm.

The agent also broke new ground when parting with 320,000gns for lot 70, a half-sister to Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Hertford Dancer by this season’s potent new stallion Cable Bay, offered by Highclere Stud.

"I have not seen any Cable Bays before and she is the only one in the catalogue, but she is a great physical," Ryan said.

"She looks as though she will be a real summer two-year-old, but won't be limited to six furlongs. We will get her back to Florida now and get her broken in."

A pair of Kingman fillies and a Belardo colt were six-figure purchases by Klaravich Stables, along with an Intello filly for 80,000gns.

Another significant transfer came very early on when US-based agent Ben McElroy secured a 500,000gns Sea The Stars colt (8), consigned by Grove Stud and from a family which had Stateside form all the way down the page.

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