Havana Grey Colt Tops Opening Day of Tattersalls December Foal Sale

The progeny of Whitsbury Manor Stud’s sire sensation HAVANA GREY were in high demand on the opening day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, registering four of the top six lots headlined by a colt from consignor Jamie Railton who realised 65,000 guineas.  

Hazelwood Bloodstock Buy Havana Grey Colt for 65,000 Guineas  

The top priced lot of the opening session was the HAVANA GREY colt out of the SINGSPIEL mare EBRAH who was knocked down to Hazelwood Bloodstock’s Adrian O’Brien for 65,000 guineas.    

O'Brien, who has enjoyed success with progeny of the sire before, commented: "This horse is a May foal and I think he has got an awful lot of improvement in him, so we hope that is going to be the way.  

"Since before Havana Grey even had a runner I bought one foal, had a bit of luck and I love them, he is proving to be an outstanding sire. He gives them athleticism and though they come in different shapes and sizes, they can all run."  

The foal was bred by Paul Gardner's Springcombe Park Stud and consigned by Jamie Railton, who said: "It is really nice to see a British owner-breeder, who is becoming a rare beast, get a return. Paul bred Quiet Reflection and so he can produce you a good horse. It is great for him to get a few quid back. He sent all his mares to Showcasing in the early days and now he has sent all his mares to Havana Grey, so he has been quite lucky. He has a few more by the sire to sell through the week." 

A’Ali Colt to Coleman for 55,000 Guineas  

The equal second highest priced lot on the opening day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale was the son of first-crop sire A’ALI out of dual Group 3 winner MAUREEN who was knocked down to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock’s Matt Coleman for 55,000 guineas.    

"He has been bought for a syndicate and will probably come back as a yearling to reoffer. Anthony [Stroud] obviously bought A'Ali with Simon Crisford for Sheikh Duaij, and we are keen to support the stallion and thought this is the best A'Ali today. He is strong, very athletic, we thought he has plenty of scope for a sprinting horse and Maureen was a top racehorse herself and has produced Whenthedealinsdone who was 100-odd rated. I thought he had a great attitude, great outlook, strength and is a very good mover. He looks a horse who will run.  

"I have seen a couple of nice ones by the stallion for tomorrow and he makes a nice shape of a foal. He is a small horse, but he has got plenty of foals here with plenty of size, I think it is encouraging."  

The colt was bred and consigned by Newsells Park Stud which stands A’ALI, a son of SOCIETY ROCK. A’ALI won three Group 2s as a two-year-old, taking out the Norfolk Stakes, Prix Robert Papin and the Flying Childers, before winning the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes and Group 3 Coral Charge at three.  

Nathaniel Colt to Railton for 55,000 Guineas  

Jamie Railton, the consignor of the day’s top lot, turned purchaser for the NATHANIEL colt out of the CAMELOT mare CHESAPEAKE SHORES who he secured for 55,000 guineas. Consigned by Mickley Stud on behalf of breeder Wood Farm Stud, the colt is out of a three-parts sister to Group 1 Irish Derby winner FROZEN FIRE.    

"He has been bought to come back to Book 2," revealed Railton. "He is an awfully good-looking horse, he has a lot of potential and the second dam produced a Derby winner. He will go to Ireland from here." 

Havana Grey Colt Sells for 52,000 Guineas  

Another HAVANA GREY foal to hit the headlines on the opening day was the colt out of the MAYSON mare MY LAW who realised 52,000 guineas to the bid of WH Bloodstock. The colt was consigned by James Read’s Selwood Bloodstock on behalf of breeder Katrina Yarrow, who was understandably delighted with the result.

"I’m a neighbour of Ed Harper’s and he told me I needed a thoroughbred mare so I asked him to help me find one," said Yarrow. "He found me My Law who had belonged to Harry Wigan, who is a son of my other close neighbours James and Anita Wigan. Ed always said I’d have to go to Havana Grey so I said ‘Ok, I’ll do whatever you tell me!’ and that’s how I bred this colt on a foal share with Ed.  

"I’ve never been to Tattersalls before but it’s been a sensational experience, it’s the most wonderful place. I’ve loved it, and the colt has been bought by someone I know which makes it even better! I always thought he was a nice foal and Selwood Bloodstock have prepared him beautifully. I can’t thank them enough."  

Yarrow purchased MY LAW, a dual winner at two from the family of Champion two-year-old filly CIRCUS RING, for 3,500 guineas at the 2021 Tattersalls July Sale. 

The Tattersalls December Foal Sale continues at 10am on Wednesday, 29th November.