A son of Invincible Spirit was the star turn on the second day of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale when selling for 575,000 guineas, as the two day sale saw 85 lots sell for 10,343,000 guineas, at an average of 121,682 guineas and a median of 85,000 guineas.
Norman Williamson’s Oak Tree Farm enjoyed another profitable day when selling their INVINCIBLE SPIRIT colt out of the Group 3 winner and Group 1 Prix Vermeille third MARE NOSTRUM for 575,000 guineas.
The half-brother to the Group 1 winner ERUPT was purchased by Godolphin with Justin Casse the underbidder.
Lot 122: Invincible Spirit (IRE) / Mare Nostrum (GB)
The colt did a great breeze – all the more meritorious as his rein snapped through the piece of work meaning the gallop could not be completed successfully. A new rein was found and the colt breezed for a second time, putting in a strong time and a good performance.
“He showed a remarkable temperament to essentially breeze twice and did a good breeze the second time,” said bloodstock agent Anthony Stroud. “He looks a lovely colt, is from a strong Niarchos pedigree and Norman does a great job producing these horses.”
Williamson, who purchased him as a yearling for 90,000 euros said: “He proved that he is a good sound colt, he did a fantastic breeze, he is a lovely horse. I have been lucky with the breeder before I sold War Of Will last year.”
A son of WAR FRONT, WAR OF WILL was a Grade 1 runner-up last September, finished fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and was successful at Grade 2 level in February. He is trained in the US by Mark Casse, having been purchased by his brother Justin – and today’s underbidder last spring.
Late in the evening US-based bloodstock agent Sam Wright went to 340,000 guineas to secure the Grove Stud consigned SHAMARDAL colt out of PATRONISING on behalf of Hong Kong based clients.
Lot 134: Shamardal (USA) / Patronising (GB) – headed for Hong Kong
“I was delighted to get the chance to buy a Shamardal last year,” said Grove Stud’s Brendan Holland after selling this colt by the sire for 340,000gns. He bought the colt for 150,000 guineas at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
“I had sold a filly by Shamardal before and she went on to be a Group 1 winner for Roger Varian.
“I knew this family really well too. Kevin Lynch had Hoity Toity and bred Lillie Langtry and Count of Limonade and he is just a mile away from us at home.”
