Prix Marcel Boussac Winner Vertical Blue Added to Tattersalls December Sale

VERTICAL BLUE (centre), winner of the Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac, is the highest rated 2YO in France
VERTICAL BLUE (centre), winner of the Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac, is the highest rated 2YO in France

The Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner VERTICAL BLUE, the highest rated two-year-old in France, is an exciting addition to the Tattersalls December Mares Sale where she will be offered as lot 1770A as part of the Sceptre Sessions on Tuesday, 3rd December. 

VERTICAL BLUE is the only Group 1 winning two-year-old filly to be offered for sale anywhere in the world in 2024 and won the Prix Marcel Boussac over 1 mile ahead of the previously unbeaten ZARIGANA. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard for owners Gemini Stud & Argella Racing, the daughter of MEHMAS caused a major upset in defeating her stablemate, as well as Group 2 and 9 ½ - length Royal Ascot winner BEDTIME STORY, Group 2 Prix du Calvados winner SIMMERING and subsequent wide-margin Group 3 winner EXACTLY in France’s premier race for two-year-old fillies. 

VERTICAL BLUE ends the season as the highest rated two-year-old in France with a rating of 51 (112) and a Timeform rating of 109p with the publication stating that she is ‘open to further improvement’. 

VERTICAL BLUE is by the record-breaking young sire MEHMAS, a son of proven Group 1 producing broodmare sire ACCLAMATION, out of a winning SEA THE STARS mare. She hails from the exceptional Aga Khan family of VADENI, VAHORIMIX, VAL ROYAL, VADAMOS and VALIXIR.

VERTICAL BLUE’s trainer Francis-Henri Graffard commented; 

“I’ve loved Vertical Blue since she arrived and I was delighted that she was able to show that on the track. Physically she has plenty of scope to improve and her turn of foot, as well as her great attitude, have us all excited about what she can achieve going forward.”

Commenting on VERTICAL BLUE, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said;

“To be offering the winner of this year's Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac in the Sceptre Sessions of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale is a genuinely exciting prospect. VERTICAL BLUE will be the only Group 1 winning two-year-old filly to be presented for sale anywhere in the world this year and she comes to Tattersalls not only as the highest rated two-year-old in France having won an outstanding renewal of France's premier two-year-old fillies’ race, but also as a filly with real Classic aspirations for next year. VERTICAL BLUE is a credit to her trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and her owners Gemini Stud and Argella Racing and she promises to be one of the highlights of the Sceptre Sessions at Europe’s premier breeding stock sale."

The Tattersalls December Mares Sale will take place Monday 2nd December to Thursday 5th December with the Sceptre Sessions on Monday 2nd December and Tuesday 3rd December. The catalogue for Europe’s premier breeding stock sale numbers 991 lots and can be viewed online at www.tattersalls.com.