Consignors announced to handle Ballymacoll dispersal

Tattersalls will mark the end of an era later this year when handling the dispersal of the historic Ballymacoll Stud and on Sunday announced the four privileged consignors who have been appointed to handle the 48 lots.

The dispersal of the famed nursery comprises nine yearlings; nine foals; 16 fillies, colts and geldings in training; and 14 broodmares.

David Egan's Corduff Stud, based in County Kildare, will offer the yearlings. "Ballymacoll Stud is synonymous with the very highest level of thoroughbred racing and breeding and it is a huge honour to have been asked to play a part in a dispersal of such magnitude," Egan said.

"The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale is the premier yearling sale in Europe and the appropriate stage for a team of such beautifully bred yearlings which includes daughters not only of the outstanding Ballymacoll champion Islington, but also of the young Group-winning duo Eleanora Duse and Liber Nauticus."

Following the October Yearling Sale, Ballymacoll's active male string will be offered by Sir Michael Stoute's Freemason Lodge Stables at the Autumn Horses in Training Sale. They will include dual Group 3 scorer Arab Spring and the winning Pivoine, a highly regarded son of leading Australian sire Redoute's Choice.

Harry McCalmont's Norelands Stud will offer the final crop of Ballymacoll foals, while the December Mares Sale will see eight fillies in training and 14 mares in foal consigned by The Castlebridge Consignment.

Among the mares set to go under are the hammer is four-time Group 1 heroine Islington, who is in foal to Kingman, plus five of her daughters.

McCalmont added: "We always aim to bring a high-class team to the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, but to have been entrusted with the nine Ballymacoll foals will make 2017 a very special year for Norelands Stud.

"When you look at the pedigrees you begin to appreciate the extraordinary success of Ballymacoll Stud and these foals represent the culmination of five decades of truly outstanding achievement."

Bill Dwan, of the Castlebridge Consignment, said: "Ballymacoll Stud representes the pinnacle of achievement in the world of thoroughbred racing and breeding. To have produced 30 individual Group 1 winners is truly extraordinary and a magnificent tribute to Peter Reynolds, the Weinstock family and all at Ballymacoll.

"To have been chosen to consign the Ballymacoll mares and fillies at the Tattersalls December Sale is a proud accolade for the Castlebridge Consignment."

The stud's long-serving manager Peter Reynolds observed: "Ballymacoll has always been about the pursuit of excellence and this is reflected in our choice of consignors for the dispersal at Tattersalls. Corduff Stud, Norelands Stud and the Castlebridge Consignment are all hugely respected throughout the industry.

"Sir Michael Stoute has been an integral part of the Ballymacoll story having won his first Group 1 for Ballymacoll Stud when Hellenic won the 1990 Yorkshire Oaks. We are looking forward to working with all of them and also Liz Moloney of Paramount Sales in Kentucky who will be playing an active role in the dispersal."