Dam of South Seas bought by Sheikh Fahad
Sheikh Fahad's ambition to gain high-quality stock for his family's Qatar Bloodstock broodmare band was given a boost yesterday when the dam of South Seas was purchased at Tattersalls' December Sale.
Manager David Redvers secured the seven-year-old mare Let It Be Me (pictured right) with a bid of 325,000gns South Seas, her first foal, ran five times for Qatar Racing during the turf season, opening his career with three straight victories before taking second place in the Gr.1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud. Following the purchase of Let It Be Me, Redvers said the Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) was a possible target for her son next year.
Redvers was joined by Sheikh Fahad when another enviable mare walked into the ring, but the two men had to accept the underbidder's role for The Miniver Rose, a Group Two winner who carried a foal by Dubawi around the ring. She was bought by Blandford Bloodstock for 550,000gns, and became the session-topping mare on day one of the four-day sale.
Qatar Racing became a vendor later in the session when putting several fillies through the ring as part of Jamie Railton's consignment. The pick on price proved to be two-year-old Spy Ring, who was knocked down for 280,000gns having been bought by David Redvers Bloodstock in April at Goffs UK's breeze-up sale for 88,000gns. A winner at Cork for Michael O'Callaghan's stable, she was recently runner-up in the Listed Bosra Sham Stakes at Newmarket.
Spy Ring will continue racing in California having been bought racehorse owner Deron Pearson, who was at the ring with trainer Jim Cassidy, who will handle the filly's future programme.
Tweenhills was also selling yesterday, and gained 105,000gns for the mare Gadfly, who was carrying a foal by Harbour Watch, and 100,000gns for Rate, who carried to Hot Streak. The buyers were Richard Frisby and BBA Ireland respectively.
The December Sale is a meeting place for broodmare owners and their representatives, and they have an opportunity this week to view the Qatar Bloodstock stallions Havana Gold, Hot Streak and Dunaden, who are staying at Longholes Stud just outside Newmarket until tomorrow evening.
Breeders who take out a nomination to any of the above sires, plus Charm Spirit and Harbour Watch, before Wednesday will be entered into a Golden Ticket draw taking place in the Tweenhills' tepee at the sales complex at 7.30pm tomorrow evening. The first ticket drawn will give the holder their chosen nomination for free, while the second and third will get a 50% reduction contact Tweenhills (0044 ((0)) 1452 700177) for more information.
Among the Qatar Racing gems on offer at the sale today are five-year-old Queen Catrine (Lot 1877), whose most recent victory came in the Gr.3 Brownstown Stakes at Fairyhouse. She has won four races and been placed in a further seven, while Opal Tiara (Lot 1878) has won three times this year, including the Gr.3 Supreme Stakes at Goodwood.
Other horses to note later in the sale include Get Up And Dance (Lot 2094), who won a maiden at Pontefract, and unraced three-year-old Chase The Light (Lot 2038), who comes from the famous Time Charter family. Crimson Lake (Lot 2339) ran a fine race when third of ten at Salisbury last month, Blitz (Lot 2147), won at Dundalk earlier this month, and Lady Cleo (2148), has gone close to losing her maiden tag on several occasions.
Mares in foal include Ittasal (Lot 2037), who carries to Harbour Watch and has three foals waiting to hit the racecourse, and Ultimate Best (Lot 2093), who is carrying to Harbour Watch.
Photograph: www.tattersalls.com