Maher goes big at Tattersalls as antipodean buyers again prominent
Ciaron Maher struck late on Monday, and then again on Tuesday, as the Victorian-based trainer made his presence felt at this year’s Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale.
Maher, who was represented by bloodstock manager Will Bourne at Park Paddocks, purchased wildcard entrant Chairman (Almanzor) for 400,000gns (approx. AU$751,800).
Consigned as Lot 304A by Castlebridge, the three-year-old son of Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) is the second horse to be sold by Aquis Farm and Manton Lodge, following yesterday’s sale of Daiquiri (Lope De Vega) for 80,000gns (approx. AU$150,360).
Chairman is a two-time winner from six starts for father-and-son training partnership Freddie and Martyn Meade and was last sighted finishing runner-up in a class 2 handicap at Ascot over a mile and a half on September 3.
“We were really impressed when we saw him as a physical, he is a very athletic horse, didn’t carry too much condition,” Bourne said.
“What we have observed is that the [European] horses who have worked for [Maher] are horses that are not too heavy and don’t have to work too much, we obviously have different facilities as opposed to here.
“I think he is a horse who should suit and he has been racing in those good handicaps.
“We were looking for a horse who can get a bit of distance, prize-money is so good for the distance races compared to here and we think he is a horse who will really suit.”
The second foal out of the unraced Champs Elysees (Danehill) mare Nimbin, herself out of an unraced sister to Group 1 winner Beat Hollow (Sadler’s Wells), Chairman is a half-brother to Listed-placed winner Sa’ad (Tamayuz).
Just 19 lots later, Maher went to 130,000gns (approx. AU$244,340) for Charming Thought (Oasis Dream) gelding Charterhouse.
The four-year-old gelding is already a Listed winner and has also placed in Group 3 company for Irish-based trainer John Murphy.
Another from the Castlebridge Consignment, Charterhouse is the sixth foal out of the winning Royal Applause (Waajib) mare Crocus Rose, herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Ela Athena (Ezzoud). He is a half-brother to mile-and-a-half winner Mr Marchwood (Medicean).
Maher’s biggest purchase on the second day of the sale arrived when the hammer came down on Camelot (Montjeu) gelding Ruling for 300,000gns (approx. AU$565,900).
Currently in the care of Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) and Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m)-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien, the four-year-old was a nine-length winner of his maiden three starts ago and finished third, beaten three lengths, to opening day session-topper Waterville (Camelot) on his latest outing in the Irish St Leger (2m 0.5f).
“From here he will go to Harry Eustace before going into quarantine,” Bourne said. “He is a nice athletic horse, he will go to Ciaron’s Sydney operation. He is a genuine stayer.
“He has had a break but came back well and he has the perfect profile for the Sydney Autumn Carnival. The carnival can really accommodate a horse like him and there is a lot of prize-money on offer.”
Consigned by Jamie Railton for owners Qatar Racing, Ruling is the sixth foal out of the German Oaks (Gr 1, 2200m)-winning mare Rosenreihe (Catcher In The Rye), and is closely related to Group 1-placed winner Savvy Six (Pour Moir), Listed winner Rose Rized (Authorized) and winner Fast Delivery (Authorized).
With three purchases already banked, Bourne revealed that Maher’s spending spree may yet continue into the final two days.
“We are looking for five or six in total, but it is a very buoyant market and they are hard to buy.”
Australian Bloodstock back in action
Australian Bloodstock were again active on the second day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale with agent Ronald Rauscher purchasing Highland Reel (Galileo) colt Made Of Gold for 75,000gns (approx. AU$141,380).
A three-time starter for Newmarket-based trainer Hilal Kobeissi, the three-year-old is yet to win, but has placed twice, shaping like a thorough stayer on his most recent outing when runner-up over a mile and two furlongs behind Bellstreet Bridie (Sir Percy), who was purchased for 260,000gns (approx. AU$490,120) in yesterday’s session.
Consigned by H.K. Racing Limited, the chestnut was originally a 12,000gns purchase by Gordon-Watson Bloodstock at Book 3 of the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale before subsequently being sold to the tune of 7,500gns at last year’s August Horses In Training Sale.
Made Of Gold is the second foal out of the placed Dalakhani (Darshaan) mare Chapel Choir, herself a half-sister to Group 2 winner Gospel Choir (Galileo) and Listed winner Sennockian Star (Rock Of Gibraltar) and out of the Group 1-winning mare Chorist (Pivotal). He is closely related to mile-and-a-half winner Choral Work (Nathaniel).
Ritchie shoots and scores in maiden Tattersalls trip
New Zealand buyers announced themselves on the sales scene yesterday, with Shaune Ritchie acquiring the second of two lots purchased by NZ-based clients, going to 75,000gns (approx. AU$134,739) for the Shadwell Estate-consigned Mahrajaan (Kitten’s Joy).
Officially rated 98 by the handicapper, the son of Kitten’s Joy (El Prado), a second by the sire to be snared by Australia or New Zealand on the day, has only ever finished out of the top three on one occasion, grabbing three wins in the process.
“Absolutely delighted with the purchase. I’m good mates with Chris Waller and he’s the best at doing this so he gave me a few tips,” Ritchie, who trains in partnership with Colm Murray, said.
“I guess the angle we had is that we were looking for a little bit of form, a three-year-old who perhaps doesn’t have the same top line so might be looking for some New Zealand-based paddock and we have boxes at night and paddocks through the day back home.
“So with a horse like him, if he can develop that top line and bring over his classy form, we could be looking at Melbourne with him next spring if he can perform in New Zealand.
“I thought he was relatively cheap given his formbook and he seems fine. So hopefully we can reignite a horse that has spent a lot of time in the boxes.”
Mahrajaan is the ninth foal out of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Gr 1, 11f)-winning mare Lahudood (Singspiel), and is a half-brother to Listed winner Aghareed (Kingmambo) and useful winners Thibaan (War Front) and Munasara (Bernardini).
The sale marked what could be the first of a few purchases made by Cambridge-based Ritchie, who has made his first journey to Tattersalls.
“I’ve always wanted to come here,” he said. “It’s a poor time really for trainers to come over given the time of year in New Zealand and Australia, so it’s a bit of a quick in and out flight and I’ll be going home on Saturday morning.
“We have marked ten or 12 horses so we might get one more before I leave.”
The Kiwis doubled their amount of purchases at this year’s sale as Albert Bosma’s Go Racing purchased Lot 524, a once-raced winning son of late Hill ‘N’ Dale Farms stallion Kitten’s Joy, for a fee of 85,000gns (approx. AU$159,890).
Regular buyers at Tattersalls, the popular syndicate has enjoyed previous success with Hawkesbury Listed winner Skyman (Mukhadram), who was bought for 42,000gns at the 2019 Horses In Training Sale, and ATC Cup (Listed, 2000m) and Toowoomba Cup (2000m) winner Alward (Aqlaam), who was signed for by Chris Waller Racing at a bid of 35,000gns in 2016.
The Shadwell Estate-owned Mutamanni has not been seen since making a cosy winning debut in a 1800-metre conditions race at Chantilly in October last year.
Currently in the care of Haras du Quesnay owner Freddy Head, who last month announced he will retire from training at the close of the year, the gelded three-year-old was withdrawn from last year’s corresponding sale.
Mutamanni is the first foal out of the winning Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) mare Murafrif, herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Tantheem (Toofilo) and useful winner Khayzaraan (Kingman) out of a Listed-placed winning half-sister to Listed winner Mutamaris (Teofilo).
De Burgh and Darby Racing partner again
Hubie de Burgh again teamed up with Darby Racing at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale as they added Anchorage (Galileo) to their previous UK purchases, the hammer coming down on a bid of 60,000gns (approx. AU$113,160).
The duo have proved to be prolific at corresponding sales, acquiring Spirit Ridge (Nathaniel), a three-time stakes winner, and Harpo Marx (Galileo), winner of the 2021 Premier’s Cup (Gr 3, 2000m), for 100,000gns and 60,000gns respectively in previous years.
A three-year-old son of Galileo (Sadler’s Wells), Coolmore-consigned Anchorage broke his maiden in style at the fifth attempt last year for trainer Aidan O’Brien, coming home six lengths to the good, before concluding his two-year-old season with a third placing in the Eyrefield Stakes (Gr 3, 1m 1f) at Leopardstown.
Four outings this campaign have resulted in the colt being kept solely to stakes company, and he was last sighted finishing fifth, beaten five and a half lengths, behind stablemate and subsequent Irish Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 2f) winner Luxembourg (Camelot) in the Royal Whip Stakes (Gr 3, 1m 2f).
Anchorage is the first foal out of the unraced Redoute’s Choice (Danehill) mare Vanzara, herself a half-sister to Group 1 winners Vadawina (Unfuwain) and Vazira (Sea The Stars), Group 3 winner Vadapolina (Trempolino) and Listed winner Vadsalina (Sagacity) out of a Listed-placed winning half-sister to Group 1 winner Valixir (Trempolino).
Another buyer to make a second appearance in yesterday’s session was the newly formed Bennett Racing and Annabel Neasham partnership as they acquired the William Haggas-trained gelding Vintage Choice (Lope De Vega) for 55,000gns (approx. AU$103,560).
Catalogued as Lot 632, the three-year-old son of Lope De Vega (Shamardal) has raced five times for one win and a further three placings, with his latest outing producing a runner-up effort in a class 3 handicap at Haydock, earning him an official rating of 92.
Consigned by Haggas’ Sommerville Lodge, Vintage Choice follows on from Bennett Racing and Neasham’s purchase of Fawkner Park (Zoffany) for 120,000gns on the opening day of the sale. He was again signed for by Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman.
The sixth foal out of the winning Galileo mare Effervesce, herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Hitchens (Acclamation), Vintage Choice is a half-brother to Listed winner Cristal Fizz (Power), Group 3-placed winner Persuasion (Acclamation) and useful winners Qeyaadah (Acclamation) and Hold Still (Bated Breath).
Wathnan Racing make big splash
Tattersalls newcomers Wathnan Racing made a statement in yesterday’s second session of the Autumn Horses In Training Sale as they flexed their financial muscles with a 380,000gns (approx. AU$716,270) purchase of improving stayer Inverness (Highland Reel).
Headed to the training stables of Alban Elie De Mieulle in Qatar, Inverness will join Monday’s purchases Hello Deira (Expert Eye), Bolthole (Free Eagle), Auditor (Profitable), and Band Width (Gutaifan), the quintet having been hammered down by Twin Hills Stud owner Olly Tait on behalf of the ownership group, with Inverness standing as their most expensive to date.
A three-year-old by Coolmore Stud’s Highland Reel (Galileo), the Knockainey Stud-bred bay has been trained by Charlie Hills for owner Steven Rocco and Partners, managing two wins from eight outings, including a last-start success in a class 2 contest at Haydock over a mile and six furlongs, leaving him on an official mark of 94.
“He has very consistent, progressive form, and he will go on firm ground,” Tait said. “He is a horse that could hopefully be competitive in the Qatar Derby.
“He is that level of horse, he wasn’t inexpensive, but that is what you have to pay for a horse of that quality. He is very willing and his form stands up very well.
“There is a big programme of racing in Qatar, and Wathnan Racing is very ambitious, looking for horses who can win races at different levels.
“In time, a broader Middle East campaign for the horses could be on the radar.”
Having first been purchased for €60,000 by Glenvale Stud at the 2019 Goffs November Foals Sale, Inverness was then re-sold to Gordon-Watson Bloodstock for 110,000gns at Book 2 of the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
He is closely related to useful middle-distance winners Glen Again (Gleneagles) and L’Aigle (Gleneagles), being the sixth foal out of the winning Arch (Kris S) mare Four Eleven, herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Summertime Legacy (Darshaan), the dam of Group 1 winners Mandaean (Manduro) and Wavering (Refuse To Bend).