LUSH LASHES (Galileo [Ire]) caused the biggest fireworks at Tattersalls when
knocked down to agent Luke Lillingston for 1.8 million guineas during Monday’s
first breeding stock session of the December Sale in Newmarket, but the
transaction was later changed to a vendor buy-back. Trainer and co-owner Jim
Bolger stated that he had bought out his partner John Corcoran in the filly (Lot
No. 1389), winner of last season’s Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-G1), Nassau S. (Eng-G1)
and Matron S. (Ire-G1), and plans to send her to super star Sea the Stars next
season.
“I’ve bought out my partner and he’s happy and I’m happy,” Bolger said. “He’s
not keen to have too many broodmares and we agreed we’d put her up for sale. I
think it was a fair price, I deemed it value at that. She would have made more
in the past, but we have to deal with realities. She was a super racemare and
hopefully she’ll be a super broodmare.
“She’s still the only animal to win a million first time out (having landed
the Goffs Fillies’ Million on her debut) and is likely to be for some time.”
Bolger revealed that he has applied for seven nominations to Sea the Stars
and also hopes to send this season’s One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) runner-up
Cuis Ghaire to the six-time Group 1 winner, who is standing at Gilltown Stud.
Jockey John Egan, acting for an undisclosed client, bid one million guineas
for this year’s E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1) winner LAHALEEB (Ire) (Redback) (Lot
1424), who was consigned from trainer Mick Channon’s stable. United States
visitor Tom Ryan bid for the three-year-old, with Richard Frisby the underbidder.
“She’s been bought for a man I’ve known for a long time and she’ll certainly
go out to Dubai for the Carnival,” Egan said. “She’s a lovely filly and I’ve
watched her through the season. She’s competed at the highest level and the
distance she won over last time (10 furlongs) is more her trip. There are a lot
of races open to her worldwide and we’ll have to sit down and cherry pick her
targets. She’ll definitely be bred from eventually.”
Agent James Wigan of London Thoroughbred Services outbid Michael Zerolo of
Oceanic Bloodstock for Oaks S. (Eng-G3) third HIGH HEELED (High Chaparral
[Ire]) (Lot 1403), who realized 600,000 guineas when offered from Barry Hills’
yard.
“She’s been bought for a long-standing client and will be staying in training
in Newmarket,” Wigan said. “She’s a very athletic filly with a proven record.
There are better opportunities now for older fillies and you could pay that
amount for a couple of nice yearlings and not get a group winner.”
Another Bolger offering, Athasi S. (Ire-G3) heroine PRIMA LUCE (Galileo
[Ire]) (lot 1392) was bought for 560,000 guineas by Charlie Gordon-Watson for
the Breeding Capital partnership. Luke Lillingston was underbidder on the
four-year-old, who was offered in foal to Shamardal.
“We thought we’d got the best model in the sale, she was the best here by a
long way,” Gordon-Watson said. “We’re delighted to have got her and there’s no
decision on who she’ll be going to next year.”
During Monday’s opening session of the breeding stock sale, 173 horses sold
for a total of 10,908,000 guineas. The average fell 7.6 percent to 63,052
guineas, while the median was up 13.4 percent to 19,000 guineas. The buy-back
rate fell to 20.3 percent, with 44 of 217 offered reported as not sold. The
buy-back rate for last year’s opening session was 30.3 percent.
The sale continues Tuesday.