A strong second day’s trade at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book One continued what has so far been a successful week for the Darley stallions, with their yearlings continuing to be in demand.
Dubawi, currently Europe’s leading first-season sire by number of winners, was responsible for the second highest-priced filly on Wednesday when John Ferguson gave 460,000 guineas for Meon Valley Stud’s filly (pictured) out of Bella Lambada. She has produced four winners from four foals to race including G3-placed Yankee Doodle and is herself a daughter of Prix de l’Opera winner Bella Colora and a granddaughter of the outstanding producer Reprocolor.
On the first day, Shadwell went to 100k to secure Dubawi’s filly out of Starstone, a Diktat half-sister to G1-winning sprinters Pastoral Pursuits and Goodricke. Dubawi’s ten yearlings to sell in the first two days have averaged a handsome 108,600 guineas.
Shamardal, currently sitting atop the first season sires’ list by prize money, has also enjoyed a strong couple of days in the ring, averaging 87,385 guineas for 13 yearlings sold. His top price was 230,000 guineas for his colt out of Champion three-year-old and German Derby winner Borgia.
Later in the session, McKeever St Lawrence went to 110,000 guineas to secure his colt out of Cherry Hinton third Extreme Beauty (Rahy) who is herself a half-sister to G1 winner Go Between.
It is no surprise that yearlings by Europe’s leading sire Cape Cross are in demand and his 17 yearlings to sell so far have averaged almost 109,000 guineas. On Wednesday, Shadwell paid 300,000 guineas for his half-sister to G2 Summer Mile Stakes winner Aqlaam.
The first yearlings by Iffraaj and Shirocco have also proved popular, with the pair averaging 68,000 guineas and 65,000 guineas respectively.
Exceed And Excel averaged just over 80,000 for the first two days, with a top price of 110,000 guineas for his filly out of Silversword who is of course also the dam of Halling's G1 winner and Arc third Cavalryman. He was bought by Sea The Stars’ trainer John Oxx.
