'They're by very different stallions but we can see him following in his brother's footsteps' - high hopes for an Orby first for Folland-Bowen

Folland-Bowen Bloodstock makes a first appearance at the Goffs Orby Sale this year, with the event cherry-picked in order for a well-bred colt to make the right impression.

Natalie Folland and Matt Bowen's operation, which has been in existence on the Fonthill Estate in Wiltshire for just under four years, is offering a Pinatubo half-brother to Classic-placed sire Isaac Shelby as lot 200 of Monday's opening session.

He will join a cast of bluebloods during this showpiece event, which include siblings to Group 1 and Classic winners such as Derby hero Desert Crown, Jan Brueghel and Saffron Beach, perused by buyers from every corner of the globe.

The Orby can lay claim to have been an early chapter in the life of one of the season's brightest stars in Minnie Hauk, who has already landed four variations of an Oaks and is set to be a leading contender in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The Frankel filly, bred by Ben Sangster, was the 2023 top lot when knocked down to MV Magnier for €1,850,000.

Folland-Bowen's March-born individual is well-known to the team as he was born at Fonthill, where breeder Elaine Chivers boards his dam.

Folland admits to "the same pre-sale nerves as usual", but the visit to Kildare Paddocks is nothing out of the ordinary.

"We do a lot of walk-ins to Ireland in the foaling season, so Matt is a pro at the lorry journey over," she says. "We're hoping this colt is well received.

"His owner made the decision to come here. He had a couple of options but we all agreed there may be fewer Pinatubo yearlings heading to Ireland, and he's one of just four colts by him in the sale. Celine Orton [Goffs head of bloodstock] loved the colt too and was keen to get him for the Orby."

Isaac Shelby (red cap) is now at Newsells Park StudCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Isaac Shelby was the first son of Night Of Thunder to retire to stud when joining the Newsells Park Stud roster for 2025. The Superlative and Greenham Stakes winner was an early success story for Chivers, an IT professional who has been expanding her thoroughbred interests over the last few years.

The colt's dam, the unraced Heliostatic mare Kentucky Belle, was sourced with Richard Knight for just 4,500gns at Tattersalls in 2019. Isaac Shelby was bought by Sam Sangster at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale for £92,000, representing a reasonable return as Night Of Thunder was standing for only £15,000 before his stratospheric ascent. His two-year-old half-sister by Sergei Prokofiev, Eleanor Shelby, has gone close to winning for Brian Meehan, who trained both of them.

Folland says: "When we moved to Fonthill Stud we reached out to a few agents that we've worked with before. Richard Knight introduced us to Elaine. 

"Elaine doesn't live far away, so it's great for her to be able to visit throughout the year. She's been with us from the start and we've developed a really solid friendship over the past few years.

"This colt is very straightforward, gets on with his work and loves his food. He's classy. They're by very different stallions, but we can see him following in his brother's footsteps and being a black-type performer."

Folland adds that there have been further exciting developments for Kentucky Belle.

Folland-Bowen Bloodstock's Pinatubo half-brother to Isaac Shelby will head under the hammer at the Goffs Orby SaleCredit: Goffs/Equuis Photography

"She has a gorgeous Night Of Thunder filly foal at foot, so a full-sister to Isaac Shelby," she says.

"We had all discussed the foal sales for her, but the conclusion was she'd be one to keep for the yearling sales next year. Kentucky Belle is in foal to City Of Troy, which we're all very excited about. The resulting offspring will be bred on the same 3x3 Galileo cross as Isaac Shelby."

Folland-Bowen's biggest breakthrough as a brand came at last year's Tattersalls Book 2, with several major results. A Sea The Stars colt from the immediate family of the reliable Al Aasy was bought by Godolphin for 550,000gns, before a Too Darn hot half-sister to the useful Mishal Star made 460,000gns. Also registered for Godolphin with John and Thady Gosden, she has been named Rosanella.

"So far we've found the market to be more polarised than we normally do," says Folland.

"There was a good buzz at the Goffs UK Premier Sale and Tattersalls Somerville Sale. We haven't many more to sell this season, but we have another lovely homebred for Elaine in Book 2.

"She's a Havana Grey filly out of Mishal Star, who was rated 92 and is also one of Elaine's homebreds, so that makes this sale even more special."

There might not be the numbers going through the ring this autumn, but that is not to say life on the farm has slowed down.

Minnie Hauk, seen after winning the Yorkshire Oaks, has been a flagbearer for the Orby SaleCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Folland is already excited about what's to come next year.

"We've plenty more to look forward to," she says.

"On the stud for clients we have the full-sister to Isaac Shelby, an Oasis Dream half-sister to Group 2 winner Flight Plan and Sunday's Weld Park Stakes runner-up Pivotal Attack, who has looked exciting. Then last but not least, a gorgeous Havana Grey colt who's a half to Tropbeau and belongs to our landlord, Lord Margadale."

Goffs Orby Sale factfile

Where Goffs sales complex, Kildare Paddocks

When The two-day Book 1 begins at 10am on Monday, with the two-day Book 2 starting at 10am on Wednesday

Last year’s Book 1 stats From 466 offered, 399 sold (86 per cent) for turnover of €51,082,500 (down five per cent year-on-year), an average of €128,027 (up four per cent) and a median of €80,000 (down six per cent)

Notable graduates Minnie Hauk (sold by Camas Park Stud, bought by MV Magnier for €1,850,000); Bay City Roller (sold by Church View Stables, bought by Clive Washbourn, Jackson-Stops Bloodstock and George Scott Racing for €320,000); Jannah Rose (sold by Galbertstown Stables, bought by Al Shira'aa Farms for €650,000); Live In The Dream (sold by Clonfert Stud, bought by Philippa Mains and Steve De'Lemos for £24,000)

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