A new chapter as Barton Stud branches out into Donny marketplace

A new name has appeared in the index of vendors in the catalogue for this year's Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, which begins its two-day run on Tuesday, with Barton Stud sending its debut Doncaster draft up from its Bury St Edmunds base.

The stud has a rich history, including standing Nasrullah back in 1944, though its current guise began much more recently. Since March 2013 the operation has been run by Tom Blain, under whose guidance the operation has had some notable results, including topping Book 3 of last year's Tattersalls October Sale with a Farhh filly sold to Joe Foley for 110,000gns.

"We're expanding our consigning side of the business," said 30-year-old Blain on the decision to branch out into the 'Donny' marketplace.

"We've got some nice early, precocious types this year with good pedigrees, and because the Doncaster sale is going from strength to strength we were keen to give it a go."

View full Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale catalogue

The Premier Sale may have undergone something of an image upgrade of late, with the likes of Barney Roy, Harry Angel and Laurens all having graduated from recent renewals, but Blain has been conscious of the auction's roots when curating Barton's draft.

"The sale is really developing but our draft all look like 'Donny' types," he said. "Although not all of the pedigrees are classic Doncaster pedigrees we've got the progeny of some nice stallions who have the physicals to match. As we're going there for the first time we thought we'd better bring four nice yearlings."

Lot 331: the Kingman colt out of Amarillo StarlightCredit: Barton Stud

Opening the draft is a colt by Showcasing (lot 113), whose previous Doncaster graduates include Quiet Reflection and this year's Phoenix Stakes winner Advertise.

"Showcasing's results at Doncaster were a big thing and this colt is from a lovely family with Accidental Agent and Prize Exhibit in there," said Blain.

"He's a belter; a big-moving, fast-looking colt. Showcasing is prime for Donny so I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on. We really like the mare too, she's producing really nice stock and this is her first foal."

Next comes an Iffraaj filly (281) who shares her page with Carlton House and Duncan, of whom Blain said: "She's got less of a traditional Donny pedigree but she's a nice physical and looks like an early two-year-old. She's from a very good family so she's got value at any stage of her career."

She is followed by a colt (331) from the second crop of the exciting Kingman, whose six first-crop winners are headed by unbeaten Coventry Stakes hero Calyx. His pedigree includes major talents Pilsudski and Youmzain.

"Kingman is doing very well and this colt is a lovely looking horse," said Blain. "He looks like a fast, early type and has a nice family behind him."

Barton Stud's final offering is a filly by Darley shuttler Brazen Beau (498) out of a winning Averti half-sister to Group 2-winning sprinter Priceless.

"She's an absolutely cracking filly and is the archetypal Donny yearling," said Blain. "She walks like a dream and is very strong and looks early. I'm quite excited about her and I'd be quietly confident about Brazen Beau. I think he's producing some very nice-looking stock and he's got every chance at an affordable stallion fee."

This may be Barton Stud's first Premeir Sale draft, but with a young and upwardly mobile team offering some eye-catching youngsters, you will not want to miss it.

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