Slew of stakes scorers for ever popular Sea The Stars

It is remarkable to think that a mare who once made Ir2,600gns at auction is today at the forefront of Italian breeding.

Holy Moon, from the fourth crop of Hernando, had a fair enough pedigree as a close relation to Italian champion Bright Generation when she took her place at the Goffs October Sale in 2001. But in keeping with the low-key nature of that particular sale, she evidently failed to ignite any excitement, much - as it turned out - to the gain of her buyer Alessandro Botti.

Holy Moon was sent to Italy, the scene of Bright Generation’s Oaks d’Italia win for Paul Cole eight years earlier, and duly outperformed her paltry price tag by winning five races for Botti and owners Dioscuri Srl, including the Listed Premio Terme di Merano at Merano.