Middleham Park out for more success from Osarus with €50,000 Gutaifan colt

The Osarus Yearling Sale has been a happy hunting ground for Middleham Park Racing, with the well-known British syndicators securing the loftiest-priced individual at the second and final day of this year's event in a €50,000 son of Gutaifan who equalled the top lot at the auction overall.

With Tim and Tom Palin, the faces behind Middleham Park, not on the sales ground, they combined with French-based bloodstock agents Peter and Toby Jones for a late February-born colt already named Hattam from Haras des Faunes.

He ought to have plenty of speed, being by a stallion who was a precocious juvenile out of the Byron mare Senafe, a dual winner for Marco Botti who finished third in the German Guineas of 2013.

"We've had some luck there as we bought Boitron, who was fourth in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere a few years ago, as well as Tigre Du Terre, who was Listed-placed and won a valuable race at Sandown before being sold to Hong Kong," said Tom Palin.

"Obviously we couldn't see him physically but Peter and Toby were very impressed with him and we agreed with everything they said; he looked a very nice model."

A trainer has already been decided, with Palin revealing: "Tom Dascombe has had a terrific season and has won five times with Kayfast Warrior this year, hopefully there should be more to come from him too, so it would be rude not to thank him by sending him another horse."

A colt by Seabhac, bought by the same owners for €26,000 on Tuesday, heads for the stable of Simone Brogi, who has done well with Mensen Ernst in the blue and orange silks in France this season.

Trade was a touch better in the second session at La Teste, which lost its event 12 months ago and eventually integrated some yearlings into Arqana.

Mandore International, responsible for securing Tuesday's €50,000 Almanzor colt for the Jean-Claude Rouget stable, stepped in again at €48,000 for Haras du Buff's son of Toronado from the family of Peace Envoy and the top-class Indian filly Windsor Forest.

There are great expectations from Haras du Logis about their resident Cloth Of Stars, who achieved the best result among first-crop stallions coming under the microscope.

Jedburgh Stud offered what turned out to be the highest-priced filly of the auction, out of a half-sister to smart Dubai export Frankyfourfingers, who was knocked down to agent Marc Antoine Berghgracht for €40,000.

Figures overall were disappointing in comparison with the 2019 renewal. Of 242 horses offered, 147 sold at a clearance rate of 61 per cent, down on 78 per cent two years ago, with the aggregate slumping to €1,590,000 from €4,090,000.

This translated to the average dropping 45 per cent to €11,592, down from €21,090, and the median slipping 47 per cent (€9,000 from €17,000).

Read more

Curlin colt tops busy day for Magnier at Keeneland

£ The Kildare Racing Club's Liam Clarke lands knockout blow as breeder and owner with Sonnyboyliston

'I do love the breeding side of the sport' - Sibylle Vogt on what makes her tick

Trueshan's half-sister tops bill at £60,000 as online auction house makes debut

An atmosphere of respect and appreciation for Pin Oak Stud dispersal