The Juddmonte consigned three-year-old RETORT boasted both an impeccable pedigree and an impressive win subsequent to catalogue publication, so it was no surprise that the three-year-old son of FRANKEL proved one of the most eagerly sought-after lots of the day. Trainer Tom Clover and bloodstock agents Will Douglass and Jamie Piggott were among those to attempt to secure the colt who was eventually knocked down to SackvilleDonald’s Alastair Donald for 125,000 guineas on behalf of Highclere Australia.
<
p>Connections will be hoping that RETORT follows in the footsteps of NAVAL COLLEGE who has claimed two Listed wins already in Australia this year having been purchased by SackvilleDonald for 185,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale.
Donald commented: "We have had a bit of luck for Highclere - we bought the subsequent Group 1 winner Durstan for the team and they have a nice horse at the moment in Australia called Naval College who has won his last three. This is a neat bonny horse who goes on all ground. He is by Frankel, he is a proper horse, he is rated 90 and on the up."
"He was not really on the radar until that last win, which I think jumped him up a bit," added Donald. "He has won from the back, he has won on all grounds and you need a versatile horse for Australia. He is an extremely sound and he vetted well. It’s hard to buy them in that kind of price range for Australia.
"I think he will stay a little bit further, most of the family are milers but looking at his racing style he might get ten furlongs and there is good money at every distance in Australia. He will be going to Annabel Neasham and I think Harry Herbert will have no problem selling the shares quite quickly, particularly after the success they have had of late."
RETORT is a full-brother to the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham winner and Group 1 placed OBLIGATE and won last week’s Prix Princeline by two lengths at Chantilly on his most recent start for trainer Henri-Francois Devin. The dual winner is from one of Juddmonte’s most illustrious families. Out of the unraced OASIS DREAM mare RESPONSIBLE, a daughter of the great HASILI and a half-sister to Group/Grade 1 winners BANKS HILL, CACIQUE, CHAMPS ELYSEES, INTERCONTINENTAL, HEAT HAZE and to the Group 1 runner up DANSILI.
Tattersalls Release
