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221 lots sell for 22,090,500 during opening session of Tattersalls December Mare Sale
The Tattersalls December Mares Sale got off to a strong start at Park Paddocks on Monday that included the first of the two inaugural Sceptre Sessions, which saw 22 lots sell for 8,270,000gns at an average of 375,909gns.
Archangel Gabriel (Arch), who was offered in foal to St Mark's Basilica (Siyouni), topped proceedings when selling to Hunscote Stud for 800,000gns. The nine-year-old mare is the dam of Group 3 winner Ville De Grace (Le Havre) and a sister to Grade 1 winner Prince Arch and a half-sister to Group 1 winner Kingsfort (War Chant).
Consigned by Norris Bloodstock to dissolve the partnership of Hunscote Stud and Chris Humber, bloodstock agent Jill Lamb made a concerted effort to secure the regally bred mare with Marlhill Stud's Eddie Irwin also entering the fray, but it was Hunscote Stud's manager Andy Lloyd who won out with a successful bid of 800,000 guineas.
"We were one of the partners so obviously we were paying 50p in the pound," said Lloyd.
"She is a gorgeous mare, you don't get many chances and we had one. I think she is a decent buy for us on what she has bred. She has got a good cover and the family is very active, we are very lucky to keep her.
"Her progeny have made multiple times six figures, so we will see what St Mark's Basilica brings in March. We have no plans as yet for the spring, you don't make plans unless you've got something - now we have got her we can make a plan!"
The daughter of Arch (Kris S) sold for 200,000gns from Airlie Stud at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, whilst her yearlings by Kingman (Invincible Spirit) and Saxon Warrior (Deep Impact) have realised 350,000gns and 325,000gns respectively at the same sale.
New top lot at the #TattsDecember Mares Sale as Archangel Gabriel goes to Hunscote Stud for 800,000gns.
— Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) November 28, 2022
Own sister to Gr.1 winner Prince Arch, ½-sister to Gr.1 winner Kingsfort and dam of Gr.3 winner Ville De Grace, she was sold by @jenny_norris to dissolve a partnership. pic.twitter.com/tXPfaxG4Lj
Crystal Zvezda Heads Southcourt Stud Dispersal at 775,000gns
One of the eagerly awaited features of the first Sceptre Session was the dispersal of the late Sir Evelyn de Rothschild's Southcourt Stud and the trio of mares, consigned by New England Stud, proved to be as highly sought after.
The most expensive of those was Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) mare Crystal Zvezda who was bought by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for 775,000gns. A dual Listed winner, Crystal Zvezda is the dam of stakes placed filly Crystal Caprice (Frankel) and was sold having not been covered. Her dam is Crystal Star (Mark Of Esteem), making her a half sister to the Group 1 winning duo Crystal Ocean (Sea The Stars), Hillstar (Danehill Dancer).
The other mares in the dispersal, Waila (Notnowcato) and Crystal Zvezda's daughter Crystal Starlet (Frankel) who sold for 550,000gns an 425,000gns respectively.
A four-year-old daughter of Frankel (Galileo), Crystal Starlet was sold in foal to Palace Pier (Kingman) to Hurworth Bloodstock.
Waila is a dual Listed winner and out of Crystal Cavern (Be My Guest) making her a half-sister to Crystal Star (Mark Of Esteem). Sold in foal to Darley's Pinatubo (Shamardal) she was bought by BBA Ireland's Adrian Nicoll.
"Her Sea The Stars foal made 400,000gns last week, the two-year-old Infinite Cosmos is supposed to be very good, she is a lovely looking mare and she is a stakes winner, so I am very happy!," said Nicoll.
"She is going to Ireland and is for a partnership. We have not decided what we are going to do yet as regards stallions. She is a lovely mare, and a great reflection of Sir Evelyn de Rothschild's breeding programme. She is one of the picks of the day."
Peter Stanley of New England Stud was sad to see the mares leave his farm.
"They are lovely, lovely mares from Southcourt," he said.
"I am so sad those lovely ladies are leaving us. They are gorgeous mares, each one is a queen. It is not often that you see such a beautiful group of mares together - each one athletic, every one with depth and substance and bone, just gorgeous.
"I think the testament was the four foals who sold so well last week, they showed the type of horses that they are breeding. You can't complain at the prices, but it is terribly sad that it is not to be any longer and when things come to an end."
Stanley added: "Evelyn and Renée loved it, they talked about it. They would be both very proud of what has happened. They will look down and smile. The children are not racing fanatics, but they do have a sense of the history for their father and I think they have been very moved by the whole thing.
"Sir Michael Stoute knew those families inside out and the sky is now the limit for Infinite Cosmos. Crystal Caprice, the daughter of this mare, is stakes placed, and they both have the capability to add to the Rothschild legacy."
775,000gns from @StroudColeman buys Crystal Zvezda.
— Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) November 28, 2022
Sold in the Southcourt Stud partial dispersal by New England Stud, the Listed-winning daughter of Dubawi hails from the fantastic Rothschild family of Crystal Ocean and Hillstar. #TattsDecember pic.twitter.com/3PTAbkHv2R
Lamb gets Innevara for 750,000gns
Jill Lamb bloodstock went to 750,000gns for the Fittocks Stud-consigned Innevera (Motivator) early on in the session. Sold in foal to Zarak (Dubawi), Innevera is the dam of stakes winner Ottoman Fleet (Sea The Stars) and is a half-sister to Group 1 winning sire Keltos (Kendor), Group 2 winners Krataios (Sabrehill) and Loxias (Saumarez) , being out of Loxandra (Last Tycoon).
Jill Lamb was standing with Graham Smith-Bernal and left David Redvers the underbidder.
"We are really pleased to get her, she was our main pick for today," said Lamb.
"She is a lovely individual, her first foal is very highly rated and now on a mark of 115 and I loved her Le Havre yearling who I saw - she was bought here by David Redvers for 350,000 guineas, she was a beauty. She is going to Ralph Beckett so is in safe hands! We liked the Zarak cover too."
Innevera goes to @jlambbloodstock, buying with Graham Smith-Bernal, for 750,000gns.
— Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) November 28, 2022
Dam of the Listed winner and Group 3-placed Ottoman Fleet, she's in-foal to Zarak and sold today by Fittocks Stud in the first Sceptre Session at the #TattsDecember Mares Sale. pic.twitter.com/jiJZq2uBIM
Figures show large gains
During Monday's first session 221 lots sold for 22,090,500gns, up 45 per cent from last year's opening day when 232 lots sold for 15,281,000gns. The average for the day was 99,957gns, up 51 per cent from last year's figure of 65,866gns and median was 55,000gns, up 38 per cent from 40,000gns last year.
BBA Ireland finished the day as the leading buyer, spending 3,502,000 on 20 lots. The Castlebridge Consignment was the leading vendor having sold 27 horses for 3,428,000gns.
