Lots to like at December Sales
A highlight of the European bloodstock sales year takes place in Newmarket over the next week and a half.
Tattersalls December Sale starts today with a single session of some 200 yearlings, followed by four sessions of foals (1,135 catalogued horses) starting on Wednesday. A week today the Mares' sale, involving 1,058 catalogued fillies and broodmares, begins its four-day run.
Tweenhills is consigning a dozen foals this week, including colts by Qatar Bloodstock stallions Charm Spirit (Lot 826), Harbour Watch (Lot 568) and Havana Gold (Lot 569). The consignment also includes a filly by Charm Spirit (Lot 827).
Next week's mares' sale includes 33 catalogued lots from Tweenhills, involving in-foal mares and fillies out of training. Among the gems on offer 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.
Opal Tiara (Lot 1878) has won three times this year, including the Gr.3 Supreme Stakes at Goodwood, Get Up And Dance (Lot 2094) won a maiden at Pontefract, and while Madame Chow (Lot 1439) has yet to win she is a daughter of champion sire Galileo. Unraced three-year-old Chase The Light (Lot 2038) comes from the famous Time Charter family.
Mares in foal include Rate (Lot 1438), a daughter of Galileo carrying a foal from the first crop of Qatar Bloodstock stallion Hot Streak, 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.
Gadfly (Lot 1435) will have plenty of appeal, for while unraced she is a Galileo half-sister to Classic winner Speciosa and to three other Stakes winners or placed horses. Her dam was a half-sister to top racemare Pride Gadfly carries a Harbour Watch foal. Dual winner Maid In Heaven (Lot 1436) is in foal to Hot Streak, while a proven breeder to note is Spinola (Lot 2066), who has produced five winners, including three at Stakes level, and who has an enviable Charm Spirit cover.
Qatar Racing is also consigning some very smart two-year-old fillies through Jamie Railton (Agent), including Spy Ring (Lot 1599), who won on debut and was recently second in Listed company, Velveteen (Lot 1600), a winner and placed, and a close fourth in the Gr.3 Curragh Stakes, and Wayside Flower (Lot 1601), whose consistency in four placed efforts was rewarded with a win at Naas last month.
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.
Full details and catalogue pages can be viewed at www.tattersalls.com.