Montjeu strikes again at Tattersalls

A resilient Book 1 of Tattersalls' October Yearling Sale finished in

Newmarket Thursday night with an average of 121,515 guineas, down just 5 percent

on last year, while the 85,000gns median rose by 6 percent. It was Benny Andersson, of the famed 1970's band ABBA, who was spending the

"money, money,

money'" through agent Peter Doyle. The pair stepped up for

the co-sale-topping 650,000gns Montjeu (Ire) colt out of Irish highweight

juvenile filly Danaskaya (Danehill). The gray colt, cataloged as Hip No. 459, was

bred and offered by Ballylinch Stud.

"We had our

eyes on this fellow for a few days," Andersson said after outbidding

Authorized's owner Saleh Al Homaizi. "I'd love to win the Arc above all other

races, but I wouldn't mind if he won the Derby! Bidding for a horse like that

gives me a very similar feeling to being on a stage -- you are kept on your toes."

The 61-year-old Andersson, who co-composed many of ABBA's biggest hits as well

as the Broadway show Mamma Mia!, has had a hand in the business for some time.

"I bought my first horse at Doncaster in 1981 and, although I am not a horseman

as such, it's become much more than a hobby to me. I am OK on pedigrees and try

to follow what's going on in racing."

The colt, one of six in Book 1 for his

sire, is set to go into training with John Dunlop in Arundel.

This was a poignant success for Ballylinch Stud, which is situated

on the Mount Juliet estate in County Kilkenny and was owned by Irish businessman Tim

Mahony, who died in June at the age of 77. Ballylinch's Managing Director John

O'Connor has been with the stud for 20 years, overseeing the operation

responsible for such horses as 2006 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) hero Red Rocks (Ire)

(Galileo [Ire]) and Moyglare Stud S. (Ire-G1) winner Priory Belle (Priolo).

"Tim Mahony would have enjoyed that," O'Connor said. "He set things up along certain

lines and we're continuing with that. It's well structured."

O'Connor said he

was confident he had a strong prospect on his hands.

"I think the market for the

very top horses has been strong, and I felt he fit in right at the top end of

the spectrum here. From early on, the response we were getting from the people

viewing him was extremely positive, and there were a big number of players on

this horse. He'd been well vetted by lots of interested parties -- it was a wide

spread of people. It's very satisfying to see such a good base here for a horse

like him. He wasn't part of any duel between the Maktoums and Coolmore and he

still sold well."

Coolmore's Demi O'Byrne and John Magnier spent a combined 4,448,000gns on 17

lots at Tattersalls, including 500,000gns Thursday for a Sadler's Wells colt

out of By Charter (Shirley Heights). Jamie Railton, as agent, consigned. Will Edmeades,

representing breeder Robert Barnett, was underbidder on the colt, who was a foal

share.

"We were both trying to buy out the other partner, but we're thrilled

he's going to a good home," Edmeades said. "The mare is 22 and hasn't got in

foal for the last couple of years, so she has been retired and this was her last

foal. She has done very well with the Sadler's Wells line and he was a lovely

colt."

Top jump owner Sir Robert Ogden, who has been increasing his Flat string in

the past couple of months, paid 500,000gns through agent John Warren for a Danehill Dancer colt sold by his breeder, David and Diane Nagle's Barronstown Stud.

"This was a serious young horse -- he was big, powerful and

athletic, and the mare has one of the best pedigrees that Danehill Dancer will

have covered," Warren said. "With Troy and Sadler's Wells in the bottom line,

he's a horse you would expect to stay a mile and a half, but you can never be

sure."

The colt will join Jeremy Noseda. Ogden later paid 460,000gns for a

Galileo (Ire) full brother to 2006 St Leger (Eng-G1) third The Last Drop (Ire).

Sheikh Mohammed, his brother Hamdan and their associates in Rabbah Bloodstock

bought 106 (25.8 percent) of the lots sold at Tattersalls for a total of

15,545,000gns, 31.2 percent of the week's turnover. Their top purchase Thursday

was a 500,000gns Tiger Hill out of the Watership Down Stud foundation mare

Darara (Ire) (Top Ville), for whom John Ferguson outbid Ogden.

Vendor Peter Stanley of New England

Stud commented, "Sheikh Mohammed, his family and supporters have achieved in our

market what the American and British governments have been trying and failed to

do in the financial world. We should be immensely grateful to them."

One of Ireland's greatest jockeys, Mick Kinane, tasted success as a breeder in

last year's Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) when Authorized (Montjeu [Ire]) was successful,

and the rider was at Tattersalls as a vendor Thursday. He was selling a Rock of

Gibraltar (Ire) half-sister to the classic hero, who realized 435,000gns when

selling to agent James Wigan when sold through Clare Castle Stud.

"You've got to

be happy with that, but I found it easier to ride a Derby horse than selling,"

Kinane said. "We bought the mare Funsie (Saumarez [GB]) privately and, although she had the

page, you've got to have luck as well. I own her with two other people. She

missed last year she is in foal to Galileo (Ire)."

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony was understandably enthused at the close of

trading, given the sale's strong performance in the face of the dire

economic crisis.

"To say that Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale has exceeded

our expectations would be something of an understatement," he said. "With

turmoil in the financial markets throughout the world we, along with pretty well

everyone else, approached this week with a certain amount of trepidation and to

record an average and median all but matching last year's figures is a great

result for all concerned.

"It would be wrong to suggest that the bloodstock market is immune from harsh

economic realities, but at the very least, Book 1 of the 2008 October Yearling

Sale has demonstrated an enduring demand for quality horses. There have been a

number of key elements which have contributed to the success of this week's sale

starting with an outstanding catalog matched by the equally outstanding quality of the individuals. For

that, we must express enormous gratitude to our vendors. Their support of Book 1

has been rewarded, and deservedly so.

"In addition, the four Tattersalls

Timeform Millions races have struck a chord with the trainers who have been

active throughout the week and we have welcomed a truly international cast of

buyers from throughout Europe and further afield. Above all, however, we must

recognize and pay tribute to the extraordinary contribution of the big buying

battalions at all levels of the market. Without doubt there will be turbulent

times ahead as the bloodstock market adjusts in response to global economic

influences, but the major players have ensured a robust market this week which

should have a beneficial impact on Books 2 and 3 next week and the rest of the

sales season here at Tattersalls."

Book 2 begins on Monday. For catalog and outs, visit www.tattersalls.com.