Bated Breath Colt Tops Opening Day of Tattersalls December Foal Sale

The Tattersalls December Foal Sale got off to a positive start with rises across the board and a top price of 65,000 guineas for a colt by BATED BREATH. The opening session saw 204 lots sell for 2,504,100 guineas at an average of 12,275 guineas and a median of 9,250 guineas which represented rises of 17%, 11% and 32% respectively on the corresponding session last year.

The foals from the first crop of Juddmonte Farms’ freshman sire BATED BREATH have been eagerly anticipated and the colt out of the PIVOTAL mare FRABJOUS did not disappoint, selling for 65,000 guineas.

The black colt was consigned by Maywood Stud in Wales and stud owner Kelly Thomas was understandably delighted following the sale;

“We have five mares and it's a family effort. My husband, my children and my parents are all involved. 

"I hoped this colt would sell well but you never know. The feedback has been very good right the way through and he behaved perfectly."

The colt was knocked down to Pier House Stud’s Ger Morrin and his brother Brendan commented;

"Bated Breath is throwing nice stock and we thought this colt was the pick of the day.

"He's a very good mover - we always look for good movers. He's also out of a Pivotal mare - we like him as a broodmare sire."

The next two highest lots, which both sold for 55,000 guineas, were both by SHOWCASING whose first runners this year have created a great impression, led by the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes winner TOOCOOLFORSCHOOL and Group 1 Phoenix Stakes second CAPPELLA SANSEVERO.

The first of the duo to be offered was lot 320, the bay filly out of the TIGER HILL mare AZITA who was knocked down to Michael Carty of Kilmoney Cottage Stud. AZITA is a half-sister to the DUBAWI colt DANADANA who has won a Group 3, a Listed race and has been multiple Listed placed. 

"Hopefully, you will see her back here next year," said Carty. "Showcasing is doing well and his horses are all athletic types."

The sale proved a great result for breeders and consignors James and Amelia Gray of Elusive Bloodstock, who bought AZITA cheaply out of a field a couple of years ago.

The second SHOWCASING to realise 55,000 guineas was the colt out of the SELKIRK mare LARGO who was knocked down to Mick Flanagan, stood alongside David Myerscough and David Cox.

"The plan is to come back here," said Myerscough of Baroda & Colbinstown Studs. "The sire is very exciting - we can't get a mare into him so we need to buy a foal by him!

"This is a lovely easy mover, very active, it's a good fast family and you'd like a mare by Selkirk."

The colt was consigned by agent Keith Harte on behalf of Lavington Stud, the partnership having first consigned together at this Autumn's October Yearling Sales.

The Tattersalls December Foal Sale continues at 9.30am on Thursday, November 27.