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Crimson Rock tops proceedings at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale making 450,000 guineas.
The Tattersalls December Mares Sale got off to a strong start on the opening day of the sale on Monday with Fastnet Rock (Danehill) mare Crimson Rock topping the session when she was bought for 450,000 guinwas by Katsumi Yoshida.
A total of 232 lots sold, up 11 from last year while the aggregate rose 24 per cent to 15,281,000 guineas. The average was up 30 per cent from the opening day of last year's sale to 65,866 guineas while the median rose 33 per cent to 40,000 guineas.
Japan's Northern Farm Strike for Peeping Fawn's Sister
Northern Farm's Katsumi Yoshida purchased Crimson Rock for 450,000 guineas after seeing off the underbidder James Wigan of London Thoroughbred Services as well as the Lexington-based Mt Brilliant Farm's Greg Goodman.
The Fastnet Rock mare was consigned by Newsells Park Stud as part of a partial dispersal of Al Shahania Stud and a winner herself, she is also a half-sister to the four-time Group One winner Peeping Fawn (Danehill), dam of the stakes winning duo September (Deep Impact) and Willow (American Pharaoh). Crimson Rock was offered in foal to Swettenham Stud shuttler Highland Reel (Galileo).
The farm's representative Shingo Hashimoto, who is at Tattersalls and was in charge of bidding, explained the reasoning behind the purchase:
"We have not decided yet whether or not she will go straight to Japan, hopefully she will suit the sons of Deep Impact on the farm, but at this moment we do not have any plans. Of course this mare line is one of the best, that was very attractive, and Fastnet Rock is going well in Japan."
Hillwood Stud Buy Juddmonte's Sun Tide for 400,000 Guineas
A small but select group of eight Juddmonte Farms consigned mares featured three of the top seven lots for the day, including Sun Tide (Siyouni) who was knocked down to Hillwood Stud's Charlie Vigors on behalf of Notting Hill Bloodstock for 400,000 guineas.
A winner, Sun Tide is out of Midsummer (Kingmambo), making her a half-sister to multiple Group One winner and champion Midday (Oasis Dream).
"She is for a new client, coming to us and the produce will be sold on. It is the client's first horse, they are looking to develop a boutique broodmare band, no better family to buy into," explained Vigors.
"The client is British-based and they might race a filly, but the mare has been bought on a commercial basis, plans are fluid. It is an exciting family they were keen to get into, and it is a nice commercial cover if they wish to sell."
Of the mare, Vigors added: "She is a very attractive mare, she is a neat mare so there will be plenty of options for her. There are some on the list for tomorrow."
The underbidder on Sun Tide was Jose Delmotte sat with agent Marc-Antoine Berghgracht.
Nataf Secures Daughter of Timepiece for 375,000 Guineas
Another well-bred Juddmonte Farms mare to catch the attention of buyers was the four-year-old Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) mare Tacitly, who was knocked down to Horse France's Robert Nataf for 375,000 guineas.
The mare is out of the Falmouth Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) winner Timepiece (Zamindar), the half-sister to Group One winner Passage Of Time (Dansili) who is herself the dam of exciting young LA Stud shuttler Time Test.
"She is for a partnership between Ecurie des Monceaux and a client of Robert Nataf's," said Monceaux's Henri Bozo.
Tacitly was offered in foal to Juddmonte Farms' champion sire Frankel (Galileo) who has enjoyed a sensational year on the racecourse with eight individual Group One winners including the Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f) winner Adayar, the Irish Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f) winner Hurricane Lane, the Fillies' Mile (Gr 1, 1m) winner Inspiral and the Falmouth Stakes winner Snow Lantern.
Nataf added of the reasons for her purchase: "The pedigree speaks for itself, and she is in-foal to the right stallion. It was not a brain scratcher!"
Bozo continued: "Her price was within where we wanted to play. We have to discuss plans for her, but she could be one for Wootton Bassett."
