Halation Tops Bumper Opening Day At Tattersalls July Sale

The Tattersalls July Sale got off to a terrific start on the opening day with HALATION topping proceedings at 120,000 guineas. The clearance on the opening day was a spectacular 88% with 202 lots selling for 3,239,000 guineas, a rise of 15% on the opening session last year. The median rose 39% to 8,500 guineas whilst the average rose slightly to 16,039 guineas.

David Redvers went to 120,000 guineas to secure the three-year-old gelding HALATION on behalf of Sheikh Fahad after seeing off Qatari trainer Gassim Al Ghazali. The son of AZAMOUR finished first or second on four of his five starts for Marco Botti and was offered by The Castlebridge Consignment with an official rating of 85.

"Halation is a very progressive horse and hopefully he will continue to be progressive," said Redvers.

"He will go to David Simcock and he was very keen on the horse and Sheikh Fahad agreed. Halation is a horse we could carry on with immediately, but he is also a type who you could travel with."

The three-year-old mare TOTALLY MILLIE was bought by Algy Smith-Maxwell for 90,000 guineas after he saw off bloodstock agent Tina Rau. Standing with National Stud assistant manager Rob Stapleton, Smith-Maxwell secured the Meon Valley Stud consigned mare, carrying to ROCK OF GIBRALTAR. The daughter of PIVOTAL hails from the family of Group 1/Classic winners MILLIGRAM and ONE IN A MILLION, and although unraced is a half-sister to two winners, including FAMILIARITY, who has been Listed placed since the catalogue was published.

The Woods brothers Dwayne and Wendyll secured the three-year-old filly RAWOOF for 90,000 guineas for their Brook Stud operation in Newmarket. The Shadwell Stud consigned daughter of NAYEF is out of the Listed-placed DARSHAAN mare TANAGHUM and a grand-daughter of the Champion filly MEHTHAAF.

"She wasn't expensive," commented Wendyll Woods.

"We really liked her a lot, she is from a Classic-winning fillies' family. We will send her back into training and see if we can get a win by her name."

Felipe Hinojosa secured the five-year-old mare I’M SO GLAD for 80,000 guineas. The daughter of CLODOVIL was offered in foal to DARK ANGEL from Chris Wright’s Stratford Place Stud.

"She will go to my farm in Spain," said Hinojosa, owner of Dehesa de Milagro. "I might send her for a next covering to Ireland or in Britain, it is too early to say."

Hinojosa has a very exciting week ahead – his stud farm Dehesa de Milagro stands the young stallion CARADAK, sire of NOOZHOH CANARIS, current third favourite for the Group 1 July Cup. "Fingers crossed," smiled Hinojosa.

Also selling for 80,000 guineas was the DUBAWI mare GULBARG who was secured by Kilfrush Stud’s manager David Ryan on  behalf of that Mubarak Al Naemi who bought the Stud last year.

Sold by Darley, the mare, on a February cover to SHAMARDAL, is from one of the most current families in the book - she is a great grand-daughter of SELECTION BOARD, the dam of OUIJA BOARD, the dam of the dual 2014 Derby winner AUSTRALIA.

"She's a lovely mare, with a great pedigree," said Ryan.

"We will be keeping the Shamardal foal to race - he's been having a great year."

The Tattersalls July Sale continues at 9.30am on Thursday, July 10.