Siblings to Palace Pier and Snow Lantern setting Highclere standard once again

As one of the leading consignors at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales for almost 20 years, there is a certain level of expectation about the Highclere Stud draft.

This time, there will be no shortage of poignance either, with an Almanzor half-brother to champion miler Palace Pier among 23 individuals under inspection.

That Kingman colt, sold here for 600,000gns three years ago, has been a shining light for a partnership with the late Duke of Roxburgh and his dam, Beach Frolic, was bought by Coolmore for 2,200,000gns last December at a partial dispersal of Floors Stud.

Jake Warren, a member of the family operation alongside parents John and Lady Carolyn, said of lot 405: "He’s really got it all as far as impressive colts go, a wonderful mover, a full-bodied horse with a huge amount of presence.

"He’s very similar in his athleticism [to Palace Pier] and he’s been a very similar horse to rear in the sense that he’s been incredibly uncomplicated.

"He’s always found life very easy from the beginning, which is how Palace Pier was reared, he was never a horse that troubled a vet, a blacksmith, or anyone. He just thrived all the time and that’s what this horse has done."

Warren added: "He’s arguably a more mature physical, at the same time, compared with Palace Pier. He's such an exciting horse and it is emotional; it’s been an incredible story. Mum and Dad have been connected to this family for a very long time so to be selling this week will no doubt be an emotional moment, but he’s a bit of a star."

Jake Warren: 'We're very positive at this point'Credit: Laura Green

Little different in terms of prestige will be a Kingman half-brother to Snow Lantern (274), who has been close to emulating the feats of her dam, Sky Lantern, as a winner of the Falmouth Stakes and a competitor in a stream of other Group 1s.

"He’s very, very athletic, a wonderful horse to watch on the lunge, he just elevates," Warren said of the dark grey. "He’s got a lot of Kingman about him and obviously the mare has had a fantastic time this year."

Warren points out another son of Kingman to pay particular attention to, describing a colt out of Mischief Making, who has already produced Lancashire Oaks winner Horseplay and Hoppings Stakes scorer More Mischief, as being "as close to Palace Pier as you could get".

"He’s a real standout of the draft," he said of lot 153.

"Physically he’s arguably one of the best we’ve produced in many years, we feel he’s got tremendous promise with an athletic future.

"The mare always throws a touch to the stallion but he really looks like a Kingman throughout, he has a wonderful way about him - very good natured but very manly as well. He reminds us a lot of Palace Pier and Domestic Spending."

Another with very obvious value comes as early as lot 10. Pivotal mare Entreat, so cannily bought by breeder James Cloney when carrying the subsequent Commonwealth Cup winner Golden Horde, has produced several six-figure sales, including Listed winner Line Of Departure.

"She's a Zoustar filly, a wonderful mover, and Zoustar is exciting," said Warren. "She’d make a wonderful broodmare for anyone, she’s a collector’s item practically as she stands."

Other highlights from the draft include a "class" Kingman half-brother to the useful UAE Jewel (43) and a couple of Frankels, one closely related to excellent sprinter Reverence (6) and the other out of Listed winner Pepita (197) - both are said to be typical of the sire.

A Night Of Thunder filly from a glorious Juddmonte family (236), two Lope De Vegas - one out of the smart Bess Of Hardwicke (410) and another from Lordship Stud's beautifully-bred So Sleek (278) - as well as an Oasis Dream colt (490) are expected to make an impression on buyers this week.

"We're very positive at this point," said Warren. "They’re a lovely, even bunch of horses, an exciting list of sires, lovely horses by Kingman, Frankel, Camelot, No Nay Never, Night Of Thunder. It’s all the exciting stallions that are working very well at the moment. We couldn’t be happier with it."

View Tattersalls Book 1 catalogue here

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