Coolmore made their first big move at Tattersalls Book 1 on Wednesday, going to 4 million guineas for a Frankel brother to Ylang Ylang. Friday’s big races at Newmarket and Chepstow are now declared. The dry autumn has also cost the jumps programme two more fixtures, at Kempton and Exeter.
Tattersalls Book 1 day two: Coolmore pay 4m gns for Frankel colt
Day two of Tattersalls October Book 1 lacked the record-breaking top end of Tuesday, when Godolphin paid a European record 4.6 million guineas for a Night Of Thunder colt. Even so, it came close.
Lot 237, a Frankel colt out of Shambolic from Newsells Park Stud, was knocked down to MV Magnier for 4,000,000gns. Magnier signed in partnership with Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm. The colt is a brother to Ylang Ylang, and he was Coolmore’s first seven-figure purchase of the week, with Magnier saying: “He’s a lovely horse and in fairness to Newsells they do a great job.”
Magnier and White Birch Farm went to 1,600,000gns for a second lot, a Justify colt out of Stars At Night consigned by Marlhill House Stud. Ace Stud matched that price for New England Stud’s Night Of Thunder colt out of Sweety Dream.
Two more lots sold for 1,500,000gns. Godolphin bought a Night Of Thunder colt out of Purple Ribbon from Hascombe & Valiant Stud. A Frankel filly out of Swirral Edge, bred by Redpender Stud, went to Paddy Twomey Racing, Jason Kelly Bloodstock and Bond Thoroughbreds. “She’s just the type, if you were lucky enough, to become a foundation mare,” said Twomey.
Godolphin’s spending across the first two days passed 20 million guineas for 18 lots. That is already more than they spent over all three days of last year’s sale. Frankel was the leading sire on day two, with 12 lots sold for 11,915,000gns. Turnover for the session was 42,625,000gns, down 10% on last year, and 120 of the 141 yearlings offered found buyers.
Fillies’ Mile declarations: eight go to post
12 fillies were left in the bet365 Fillies’ Mile at the confirmation stage, and eight were declared for the Group 1 at 14:57 on Friday. The going on the Rowley Mile is good to firm.
Musical Times is unbeaten in three starts and heads the betting at around 1/2. She is drawn in stall eight for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. Rogue Passion has won her last two for Edward Bethell. She is next best at 4/1 under Rossa Ryan, drawn four.
Andrew Balding runs two. Oisin Murphy rides the unbeaten Forbidden Fire from stall one, and Saffie Osborne partners Scommessa Sicura. Aidan O’Brien also has two. Ryan Moore is on Haven, and Colin Keane rides Exceptionally.
The field is completed by Simon and Ed Crisford’s Lex Victoria under James Doyle, and Joseph O’Brien’s Dancing Destiny under Declan McDonogh. Our Fillies’ Mile runners guide has the full field and draw.
Persian War & Welsh Champion Hurdle declarations
The Welsh Racing Festival begins at Chepstow on Friday with an all-hurdles card, and the ground is good to soft. 11 of the 18 entries were declared for the Grade 2 DragonBet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at 15:43.
Lord Byron is the 2/1 favourite for Faye Bramley. The four-year-old wears first-time cheekpieces and is ridden by Harry Cobden. Cosmic Connection is next at 11/4 for Chris Gordon and his son Freddie. Dan Skelton’s North Shore is 4/1 under Harry Skelton.
Ireland supplies two: Henry de Bromhead’s La Cote Fleurie and Paul Nolan’s Le Moulin Rouge. Stick To The Board was not declared. Pioneer Pete, another of the confirmations, goes for the Welsh Champion Hurdle instead.
That race is the DragonBet ‘Welsh Champion’ Hurdle at 15:12, and 17 runners face a maximum field of 18. Captain Hugo is the 4/1 favourite for Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, with Sean Houlihan riding. Dan Skelton runs four, led by the 6/1 shot Le Beau Madrik.
Doctor Blue (13/2) and Gibbs Island (8/1) are also prominent in the betting. Pioneer Pete has won his last two and races off 10st 7lb for the O’Neills, with Jonjo O’Neill Jr on board. Laafi tops the weights with 11st 12lb.
Kempton and Exeter fixtures cancelled
The dry spell has claimed two more jumps fixtures: Kempton‘s opening jumps meeting of the season, due on Sunday 18 October, was called off on Wednesday afternoon by the Jockey Club. The track has been irrigated since June, but the ground was still judged unsuitable for jump racing.
The Listed Panoramic Hurdle has been saved. It moves to Carlisle on Thursday 22 October at its current £50,000 value. To make room, the beginners’ chase on that card was scrapped after a course inspection, because officials thought the ground was unlikely to attract a significant field.
Exeter have lost their second meeting of the season, the Best Mate Beginners’ Chase card on Tuesday 20 October. There has been no significant rain at the Devon track in recent weeks and little is forecast. Their opener on 15 October had already gone.
The BHA said it looked at replacing both the Kempton fixture and the lost Fakenham meeting but could not do so. An extra fixture has been added at Perth instead, including a two-mile beginners’ chase, with entries closing on Friday. There is some good news: Cheltenham is still set to return on 23 and 24 October following its drainage upgrade.
Racing today
The first and last race times below are from the live racecards when this draft was built. Check for late changes before publication.
Thurles — first race: 13:16 · last race: 17:20
Bath — first race: 13:30 · last race: 17:25
Ayr — first race: 13:45 · last race: 17:13
Market Rasen — first race: 13:56 · last race: 16:48
Tramore — first race: 14:10 · last race: 17:35
Southwell — first race: 16:25 · last race: 20:30
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