'This filly is a queen and looks precocious' - Folland-Bowen aiming to build on Book 2 gains at Tattersalls December Sales

Statistics can be used to prove just about anything but, even in this era of disputed facts, some numbers are simply unquestionable. Natalie Folland and Matt Bowen, who operate under the banner of Folland-Bowen Bloodstock, were the standout consignors of a buoyant Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

Folland-Bowen Bloodstock consigned just three yearlings to the sale and the trio returned an average price of 380,000gns, the best of any consignor with more than two yearlings sold.

The quality of their operation, which is based at the beautiful and historic Fonthill Stud in Wiltshire, is of the exquisite variety and their October success is all the more remarkable given Folland-Bowen Bloodstock is in just its third year of consigning.

It is quite the achievement, but not surprising to those who have watched the business develop since it was launched at the end of 2021.

Deservedly, their Book 2 success has seen them gain wider recognition and ahead of the December Yearling Sale, where they consign a trio of youngsters with star potential, and the upcoming Sceptre Sessions at the December Mare Sale, they are in the midst of showing another carefully curated team of horses at Tattersalls.

Speaking at a rain-sodden Park Paddocks, Folland took time out to reflect on that momentous Book 2.

"It means the world to us that some of the best judges in the industry are supporting us," she says. "It gave the whole team a boost and shows that hard work and dedication pays off."

Isaac Shelby (Sean Levey) wins the Greenham and is followed by the riderless Chaldean and Charyn Credit: Edward Whitaker

It has also led to an increased profile and business expansion.

"We've had several inquiries about potential pinhooks coming to us from the Tattersalls foal sales," says Folland. "We were already very busy for the 2025 foaling season, but we're taking on a second stud as we've acquired a few more permanent and temporary boarding mares too."

Previous consignments at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sales have been successful for Folland-Bowen Bloodstock, whose first six-figure sale came at the 2022 December Mare Sale, where they consigned the Group 3-placed Adaay To Remember for GB Horseracing, and she was bought for 160,000gns by Tally-Ho Stud. 

Two years on from that sale, Folland-Bowen makes its debut at the Sceptre Sessions, where Kentucky Belle, dam of Isaac Shelby, Newsells Park Stud's new recruit for 2025, will be one of the stars. 

Before that, there is Monday's yearling sale, where Kentucky Belle's daughter by Sergei Prokofiev (lot 100) is sure to turn heads.

"She's a very athletic, racy filly," Folland says of the chestnut bred by Elaine Chivers. "She hasn't put a foot wrong during her sales preparation. She's very much like Isaac Shelby and typical of the mare.

"Sergei Prokofiev has had a fantastic start with his two-year-olds. I think this filly will get out early, but she will also improve with age, like her half-brother did."

The Sergei Prokofiev half-sister to Isaac ShelbyCredit: Folland-Bowen Bloodstock/Tattersalls

Isaac Shelby, by Night Of Thunder, won the Group 2 Superlative Stakes for Brian Meehan as a juvenile and at three ran Marhaba Ya Sanafi very close when beaten a short neck in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Before that, he defeated Charyn when making a successful seasonal debut in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes.

Prior to establishing this venture, Folland was manager of Jane Keir's Elkington Stud, where she foaled and raised the Group 2 Solonaway Stakes winner Flight Plan. So keen was Keir to ensure her horses remained under Folland's care that she sent her mares to Fonthill to board with her.

On Monday they offer a Pinatubo half-sister to Flight Plan (175) who is from the further family of dual Breeders' Cup Turf winner Rebel's Romance and his half-brother, Measured Time, successful in the Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes and Group 1 Jebel Hatta.

"Romp [dam of Flight Plan] has a beautiful pedigree, that was the main reason Jane purchased her, with advice from Liam Norris and William Huntingdon," explains Folland.

"Her yearlings are good walkers, athletic and like to get on with the job. Flight Plan as a yearling was a really imposing horse and a fantastic walker. This filly is a queen and looks precocious. She's one of my favourites out of Romp."

Pinatubo, the first-season sire with the best winners-to-runners strike-rate, is also the sire of the first yearling that Folland-Bowen offers on Monday, a filly (30) out of the winning Bahamian Bounty mare Bahamadam, who has two winners from her first three runners.

Group 2 winner Flight Plan's half-sister by PinatuboCredit: Folland-Bowen Bloodstock/Tattersalls

Of the bay, Folland says: "She has a great walk and covers the ground really easily. She's scopey, loves to work, and is bred on the same cross as Hallasan, who is rated 101."

That Charlie Appleby-trained gelding edged out subsequent Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Camille Pissarro in a £300,000 sales race at Doncaster on his most recent run.

The dams of all three fillies are entered in the December Mare Sale, with the aforementioned Kentucky Belle (1485) earning herself a coveted position in the Sceptre Sessions a week on Monday. 

As if being the dam of a Classic performer wasn't enough, what makes the ten-year-old even more appealing is her covering – she is offered carrying a full-sibling to Isaac Shelby.

Dam of two winners and with a Pinatubo colt foal, Kentucky Belle looks a seriously attractive proposition. As is Flight Plan's dam Romp (1529), who sells on Tuesday week in foal to Oasis Dream.

It will be an emotionally charged couple of days at Park Paddocks for Folland.

"I've had Romp in my care since 2015 and she's very special to us," she says. "She has a lot of presence and often throws to the stallion. 

Flight Plan winning the Group 2 Solonoway Stakes during the Irish Champions' Festival Credit: CAROLINE NORRIS

"Kentucky Belle is a pleasure to have around. She's very straightforward to deal with and her foals are often very much like her. Both mares would be an asset to any stud farm and we'll miss having them around."

Selling the mares, in particular, won't be easy but, in a pragmatic sense, it takes Folland-Bowen Bloodstock to a higher plane again, building on the success of last month, which was based on solid foundations and hard work.

"We feel honoured to have fantastic owners who entrust us with their stock all year round," says Folland. "It's important for our clients and the development of the business to be trading good-quality horses at this level, and we're very grateful for all the support we receive and are excited for the future."

The Tattersalls December Sales begin with yearlings on Monday from 10am, with foals on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and fillies and mares from Monday to Thursday next week.

Tattersalls December Yearling Sale factfile

Where Park Paddocks, Newmarket

When Single-day sale starts on Monday at 10am

Last year's stats From 162 offered, 127 sold (78 per cent) for turnover of 4,777,200gns (up six per cent year-on-year), an average of 37,616gns (up nine per cent) and median of 20,000gns (down nine per cent) 

Notable graduates Via Sistina (offered by Jamie Railton, purchased by Stephen Hillen Bloodstock for 5,000gns); Big Mojo (offered by Ringfort Stud, purchased by Conor Quirke/RP Racing for 175,000gns); Alburno (offered by Yeomanstown Stud, purchased by Valfredo Valiani for 70,000gns); Coco Jamboo (offered by Foston Stud, purchased by Marco Botti for 30,000gns); Yellowbrick Road (offered by New England Stud, purchased by Liam Norris for 10,000gns)

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