Friday 6 October 2023
Both SEA THE STARS and SIYOUNI saw impressive results in the ring during Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale this week.
A full sister to Infinite Cosmos, closely related to champion Crystal Ocean, was the top priced lot for SEA THE STARS. Bred by Southcourt Stud and the late Sir Evelyn de Rothschild and consigned by Ballyhimikin Stud, the filly attracted the attention of Coolmore, and was purchased for 650,000gns by agent Alex Elliott and M V Magnier.
"She will head to Ballydoyle,” confirmed Elliott. “It is one of the best pages in the book, and we have an update with her full-sister Infinite Cosmos; She is a beautiful filly, medium sized and though she is by SEA THE STARS I can even see her doing something at two, and then obviously getting better with age."
It was Godolphin who snapped up the next two top priced lots, going to 625,000gns for the first foal out of Group winner Feliciana De Vega and 575,000gns for the sister to last weekend’s Gr.1 Prix de Royallieu winner Sea Silk Road.
The former was bred by a syndicate called Stone Roses Bloodstock, and was consigned by Hillwood Stud. Charlie Vigors said after the sale: "SEA THE STARS needs no introduction, and she was a very good race mare herself – a Group 3 and Listed winner over 7f and a mile. We felt the whole package would tie together, and that he would suit her. She duly produced a cracking first foal, he was foaled and reared the whole way through at Hillwood, so it is extra special."
Sea Silk Road provided a significant update to the page of lot 5, who fetched the second highest price ever achieved at Tattersalls for breeder and consignor by Kildaragh Stud. "We're thrilled with her sale, she's gone to Godolphin and hopefully she gets every chance there to do all of us proud,” said Peter Kavanagh. “This filly was an exceptionally calm character and she never turned a hair going through the ring. It’s testament to what SEA THE STARS puts into these animals, their ability to be able to take the pressure. That’s why he’s been such a great sire and his fillies are going to have a big impact going forward. He’s going to be a breed changer.”
Later on in the sale, a filly out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner Flag Of Honour, consigned by New England Stud, was sold to Cheveley Park Stud for 550,000gns.
"She is a special filly and Mrs Thompson was very taken with her and we are very happy to have bought her," said Chris Richardson. "She is beautifully balanced, lovely movement, great quality head and by a very successful sire in SEA THE STARS and offers a pedigree that will be one to keep for breeding in the future.”
Meanwhile, a half-sister to this year’s Gr.1 Nassau Stakes heroine Al Husn achieved the top price for SIYOUNI. Consigned by Barronstown Stud, she sold to Kieran Lalor on behalf of Al Shira’aa Racing for 550,000gns.
On the first day of the sale, the connections of SIYOUNI’s multiple Group 1 winning three-year-old Paddington conspired to buy lot 178, a colt out of French Champion Two-Year-Old Vorda, for 475,000gns. The colt, sold by Newsells Park Stud and bred by Al Shahania Stud, was purchased by M V Magnier and White Birch Farm.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club bought lot 26 for 450,000gns, a SIYOUNI colt from Old Mill Stud out of a half-sister to Group 1 winning juvenile Cursory Glance. Stud manager Rob Speers said: "The mare was bought specifically to go to SIYOUNI and this is the first we have bred out of her. The colt was raised at the farm and the plan was always to bring him to sale. He has danced every danced and we are delighted with him, he behaved impeccably here. It is a big thanks to the team at home, they have done a wonderful job with him.”
