Strong international participation continued into day two of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale. The top two lots of the day were secured by Najd Stud in conjunction with Archdale Bloodstock and are both set to target Saudi Cup Day.
The Lost King Bound for Saudi Arabia
Wildcard entry THE LOST KING topped day two of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale when bought by Najd Stud/Archdale Bloodstock for 750,000 guineas. Sold by Jamie Railton on behalf of King Power Racing, the four-year-old has an impressive Timeform rating of 117. The son of KINGMAN was trained by Andrew Balding and has been in a particularly rich vein of form lately. Since September, he has recorded two Group 3 placings and was second in the Group 2 Joel Stakes to this year’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner TALK OF NEW YORK.
Victoire Magique Another for Najd Stud
The wildcard entrant VICTOIRE MAGIQUE made 450,000 guineas when selling to Najd Stud/Archdale Bloodstock from Amy Murphy Racing. The son of VICTOR LUDORUM won the Group 3 Prix Gerald de Geoffre at ParisLongchamp Racecourse in September for trainer Amy Murphy, who bought him from Baroda Stud for 40,000 guineas at Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
“I bought him on spec as I just loved him as a physical,” she laughed. “He has given his owners Solario Racing some great days out. I hope he goes on to be very lucky for his new connections. The race that I suspect they bought him for is the Red Sea Turf Handicap in February. It is the race we were thinking of targeting if he didn’t sell today.”
Elaborating on the colt’s previous owners, she explained: “Solario Racing is an English-based syndicate that has always been with me. When I moved to France, they supported us, so it’s great to get this result, it’s life-changing money for the syndicate. We’ve already bought them a couple of yearlings this year, slightly in anticipation of this!”
Nico Archdale commented on the purchase of VICTOIRE MAGIQUE and THE LOST KING: “We’re here for horses for Saudi Cup Day and we’re really looking for the best we can find. The Lost King and Victoire Magique look like ideal horses for the Red Sea Turf and Neom Turf Cup so we’re really excited to get both of them. We’re very happy to be able to get some top-class horses for His Highness Prince Faisal of Najd Stud.”
Expanding on the team’s approach to sourcing their purchases, Nico Archdale said: “It’s a long process. The shortlisting started a few weeks ago. Then when you get to the sale and go through inspections and vettings, the list gradually gets shorter and shorter. There inevitably ends up being a strong market for the good ones, so you really have to fight.”
Yordan Headed to the Middle East
Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland purchased YORDAN for 420,000 guineas. The son of STARMAN became the most expensive horse sold by Consign Ltd. to date in the Tattersalls ring. The three-year-old had been in training with Kevin Ryan and was owned by Bregman Family Racing, who purchased him as a yearling at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 160,000 guineas.
Lightly raced, YORDAN has only run five times and has won all three of his races on the All-Weather. When asked if he thought he would have to go to 420,000 guineas to secure the horse, Donohoe laughed: “Yes I did, especially when I saw all the sharks coming in after him!”
He continued: “I am thrilled to get him. He was one we targeted coming into the sale. He is extremely progressive. It’s rare for Timeform to give a horse a rating of 105p after his fifth start. Physically, he is a magnificent, big, strong horse, and he looks very much like a dirt horse. He has a lot of speed, but I’d say he’ll stay 7f or even a mile in time.”
Explaining the plans in place for YORDAN he said: “He will head to the Middle East for an existing client and will be targeted at the dirt in Saudi. I think the dirt surface there is the best in the world. A lot of grass horses transition well to the surface there, but I particularly think this horse will because he’s a big and imposing type.”
Blandford Bloodstock Buys Bamako Beach
Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman had another busy day and went to 360,000 guineas to secure BAMAKO BEACH from The Castlebridge Consignment. The son of SANDS OF MALI was trained by Michael O’Callaghan, who purchased him at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale for 72,000 guineas from Shanaville Stables.
Timeform rated 114, the three-year-old won his most recent start, the Listed Steels Stakes over 6f at Naas Racecourse, by four lengths. His previous start saw him hang badly in the Group 3 Prix du Pin at ParisLongchamp, but Boman is prepared to forgive the slight indiscretion, saying:
“He’s an extraordinarily talented horse. He’s had his wayward issues along the way, and it is a bit of a risk when you see horses do that, but I felt in France, it was a bit exaggerated. He has since been gelded. They dropped him back to a sprinting trip last time out, and he really showed the level of ability that he’s got. He has a huge engine.”
Boman confirmed BAMAKO BEACH will follow a familiar path, saying: “He’ll go to Dubai for the Carnival and hopefully he is a horse who will show up on a Super Saturday.”
