Busy week with sales and quality racing
High-class racing and Europe's premier yearling sale combine to make for a busy week in Newmarket.
At Tattersalls the October Yearling Sales open tomorrow (Tuesday) with Book 1, containing some outstanding individuals with the choicest pedigrees, and several representatives of Qatar Bloodstock stallions. Also at Newmarket, but on the Rowley Mile racecourse, is the Dubai Future Champions Festival, involving two fine days of racing with the emphasis on juvenile events. Heading the parade is Saturday's Gr.1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, in which Qatar Racing's South Seas is a fascinating contender.
Unbeaten in three races, the Andrew Balding-trained South Seas is one of 14 horses who stood their ground today for the £500,000 contest, which is run over seven furlongs.
South Seas's stablemate, Naval Warfare, holds an entry in the Gr.3 Autumn Stakes on the same card, while 24 hours earlier Qatar Racing's Doncaster winner Rich Legacy is among five-day declarations for the Gr.1 Dubai Fillies' Mile. She is trained by Ralph Beckett, while David Simcock's recent Kempton winner Soul Silver holds an entry for the Gr.3 Oh So Sharp Stakes.
Three-year-old Opal Tiara, from Mick Channon's yard, has been a star with wins at York and Goodwood in August she could step up in grade for the Gr.2 Challenge Stakes.
Qatar Racing's 8 to Follow competition is into the final two weeks, with Opal Tiara at the top of the table as the horse who has gathered most points for her stables. None of the top six entrants included her in their lists, but she does represent the stables of joint-seventh placed EmmaM and Amandat, who would climb several places if she were to win go to www.eighttofollow.co.uk for a full table.
At the sales look out for Lot 298, a son of Qatar Bloodstock's Makfi offered by Barton Stud and from the family of champion filly Sayyedati and top-class colt Golden Snake.
Havana Gold is represented by a pair of colts they are the Glenvale Stud-consigned Lot 403, who was foaled by a full-sister to talented sprinter and sire Bungleinthejungle, and Lot 529, who is from the family of Group One winners Belmez and Debussy. He is being consigned by Lynn Lodge Stud.
There will be plenty more chances to buy horses sired by Qatar Bloodstock stallions at next week's Book 2 Sale.