Highclere Thoroughbred Racing sprint handicapper REDFORD (Bahri) headed a
modest pipe-opener to Tattersalls’ Autumn Horses in Training Sale in Newmarket
Monday when selling for 130,000 guineas to Stephen Hillen. The agent was acting
for Cheshire-based owner Dr. Marwan Koukash, who has assembled a sizeable string
of horses in the past couple of years. Training plans for his new recruit,
offered as Lot No. 316, have still to be finalized.
“I just like the way this horse travels in his races,” Hillen said. “He’ll go
for a rest to the National Stud, where Dr. Koukash has a few horses out of
training and they do a great job, and we’ll make a decision about a trainer
after Christmas.”
Hillen outbid Alastair Donald of Kern Lillingston, who frequently shops at
this sale for U.S. interests.
American buyers were noticeably quiet on a day when there were just two other
lots to hit six figures. The first was Lot 55, THE LAST DON (Redback), a
four-time winner for Newmarket handler David Lanigan. He brought 100,000 guineas
when selling to agent Mags O’Toole and is set to continue his racing career in
Ireland.
“He’s a horse with some very progressive form and he’ll initially run on the
flat but with a view to going jumping in the future,” O’Toole said.
Mohammed Moubarak, a Group 1-winning trainer in Britain before moving to the
U.S., is set to embark on a new chapter in his career, as a conditioner in
Qatar. His fledgling team will include AKHENATEN (High Chaparral [Ire]), a
successful handicapper with trainer Mick Channon. Lot 270 was another to bring
100,000 guineas with Hillen underbidder on this occasion. Bought for owner
Mohammed Ansari, he will join Newmarket handler Debbie Mountain immediately
before going on his travels.
“The horses come back to me before heading out to Qatar,” Mountain said.
“I’ve sent 30 out there, including (Epsom Derby [Eng-G1] third) Masterofthehorse
(Sadler’s Wells), and, although the season only started a couple of weeks ago
we’ve already had two winners at the last meeting.”
The sale continues Wednesday.