Strong Start to Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale

The Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale got off to a strong start on the opening day with three lots selling for 300,000 guineas or more headed by the MUNNINGS colt who realised 360,000 guineas. The sale was the source of two Classic winners in 2022 with NATIVE TRAIL successful in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas and CACHET triumphing in the 1,000 Guineas.

Longways Stables’ Munnings Colt Tops Opening Day at 360,000 Guineas  

Mick Murphy’s Longways Stables sold the top lot on the opening day of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale when their MUNNINGS colt out of the Grade 3 winner SEPARATE FOREST was knocked down to Oliver St Lawrence for 360,000 guineas. St Lawrence, who was standing alongside Bahraini owner Fawzi Nass and local trainer Roger Varian, secured the colt after seeing off the efforts of agents Ted Durcan and David Redvers.  

St Lawrence commented: "He is a very taking horse, Roger was keen on him and so was I. He looks like a type who could get to Royal Ascot. We have had luck with Munnings before with Shahama, who did well in Dubai and then went to the US."

Of this colt's breeze, St Lawrence said: "He did a perfectly nice time without setting the world alight. Mick brings them along nicely and does not push them too hard."  Varian added: "He looks a strong horse, so hopefully we can get him home and see where we go."  

A smiling Mick Murphy said: "I am a very happy vendor! He was very popular, we had a lot of the right people on him. I was very hopeful, but you never know. I bought him in the US and we bought him to come to the Craven, we thought he'd suit this sale. I have been lucky enough to have already sold a Royal Ascot winner, this could be another!"  

Murphy continued: "He is a horse who wants good ground and he breezed exceptionally well considering the conditions. He is a quick horse and a lot of people said he is very similar to Jack Christopher."  

JACK CHRISTOPHER is MUNNINGS' leading runner so far and was a three-time Grade 1 winner of the Champagne Stakes, the Woody Stephens and the H Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes. He stands at Ashford Stud alongside his sire. 

Tally-Ho Stud’s Blue Point Colt to Stroud for 340,000 Guineas  

The progeny of first season sire BLUE POINT have hit the ground running with the four-time Group 1 winning sprinter already represented by three winners, the latest coming on the opening day of Newmarket’s Craven meeting with BLUE STORM’s victory. It was no surprise therefore when Anthony Stroud went to 340,000 guineas to secure Tally-Ho Stud’s colt out the Listed winning EXCEED AND EXCEL mare REBECCA ROCKS, after seeing off SackvilleDonald’s Alastair Donald.    

Stroud commented: "He is a very nice horse. He is by Blue Point who has got off to a flying start, he breezed well and he is from Tally-Ho which has produced many a good horse. I am delighted to have purchased him, he has a good pedigree and is a nice neat two-year-old type too."  

Tally-Ho Stud consigned the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp winner THE PLATINUM QUEEN at last year’s Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up as well as the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes winner LA PELOSA at the Craven Breeze Up previously. They purchased this colt at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale for 70,000 guineas in 2021. His dam REBECCA ROCKS was trained by Henry Candy and claimed the scalp of triple Group/Grade 1 winner GLASS SLIPPERS in the Listed Land O'Burns Fillies Stakes. 

Richard Ryan and MV Magnier Secure Starspangledbanner Colt for 320,000 Guineas  

Agent Richard Ryan went to 320,000 guineas to secure the STARSPANGLEDBANNER colt, buying on behalf of a partnership between Teme Valley Racing and Coolmore. The January-born colt was sold by Willie Browne’s Mocklershill, having been purchased as a yearling by J B Bloodstock for 62,000 guineas at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.  

"He is an exceptional individual. He breezed very well, he is not unlike State Of Rest [also by Starspangledbanner] and he goes to Joseph O'Brien," explained Ryan. "It is Teme Valley's first foray with Coolmore as partners and we are thrilled - we loved the horse, let's hope he is lucky."  

He added: "I don't think he will be too long to get to the racecourse, he is a natural easy mover with a great mind. He has every chance of being active this season, that is what we are hoping for. Joseph knows this type of horse exceptionally well and handles them brilliantly. It is a good fit all round."  

Of the comparison with STATE OF REST he enthused: "There are huge similarities - this colt has a good girth, great movement, a good mind, everything that you would like to see in a youngster." 

The Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up continues at 5.45pm with the second and final session on Wednesday 19th April.