Easton Angel Breaks Records on Opening Day of Tattersalls February Sale

Records were broken on the opening day of the Tattersalls February Sale when the Listed-winning filly EASTON ANGEL sold for 500,000 guineas.  With trade taking place over two days for the first time this year, a total of 157 lots were sold realising 3,273,300 guineas, already a record at this fixture with a day to go. The average was 20,849 guineas and the median of 7,000 guineas whilst clearance rate was 85%.

The top lot on the opening day of the February Sale and the highest priced lot in the 18-year history of the sale was the four-year-old Listed winning filly EASTON ANGEL.

Offered by the Castlebridge Consignment, the grey daughter of DARK ANGEL attracted plenty of attention in the ring but it was Mick Flanagan who struck the winning bid at 500,000 guineas after withstanding the effort of Arrowfield Stud’s Paul Messara to secure the filly. Others to have signalled their interest included Cheveley Park Stud’s Chris Richardson, bloodstock agent Jake Warren, Salcey Forest Stud’s Daniel Crieghton, and owner Ritchie Fiddes.

EASTON ANGEL, officially rated 110, is a dual Listed winner over five furlongs and a consistent performer at Group level coming second in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot and third in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York.

Flanagan commented:

"She is for a new undisclosed client.  She stays in Europe - hopefully she is a good one to start with for the client. She has been bought to breed from, but I have been told that she has plenty of racing left in her, so we do have options. We'll let the dust settle from here and take a view.

"But she is a quick filly, a gorgeous physical and moves like a panther."

The second highest lot of the day was DRESSED IN FUR who made 155,000 guineas when selling to Cormack McCormack Bloodstock.  The four-year-old daughter of EXCELLENT ART has been placed multiple times at Group level and was runner-up in the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte as well as the Group 3 Prix Miesque whilst in training with Chantilly based trainer Pia Brandt.

Offered for sale by Anna Drion’s Coulonces Consignment, DRESSED IN FUR is from the family of Group 1 2000 Guineas winner ARAAFA and Cheveley Park Stud stallion PIVOTAL.

Drion commented:

"We are delighted with the price. It is my first time to the February Sale, but we decided that this was the sale to sell her at as all the buyers are here.

"We had a great year in 2016 and it is fantastic to start this year off well."

Godolphin’s draft was a highlight of the opening day of the sale with the consignment realising a total of 1,689,300 guineas. Amongst them was MASAYA who was bought by Yeomanstown Stud for 115,000 guineas.  The nine-year-old daughter of DANSILI is the dam of two winners and was sold in foal to Yeomanstown’s resident sire DARK ANGEL.

Before retiring to stud, MASAYA won two races and was placed twice in Listed company whilst in training with Clive Brittain.  The well-related mare is also from the family of Group 1 winners SATWA QUEEN and SPADOUN.

Another standout lot from the Godolphin draft was winning AZAMOUR mare LABISE bought by Tim Gredley for 110,000 guineas.  The six-year-old mare is a sister to three black type performers and was sold in foal to Derby winning sire GOLDEN HORN.  LABISE also has yearling by SEA THE STARS.

Newmarket-based Gredley commented:

"Labise has been bought for Stetchworth Park Stud.  We are aiming to build up the broodmare band, improve the quality. She ticked all the boxes."

The Tattersalls February Sale continues at 10am on Friday, February 3.