‘He’s such an underrated stallion’ - Coolmore reveal surprise mating plan as Porta Fortuna brings 4,500,000gns

A hush descended as Porta Fortuna entered the Tattersalls ring shortly after 7.20 yesterday evening. “The embodiment of excellence,” said auctioneer John O’Kelly before borrowing lyrics from Mary Poppins by describing the four-time Group 1 heroine as “Practically perfect in every way.” 

MV Magnier was plainly in agreement as he struck a bid of 4,500,000gns to add the Donnacha O’Brien-trained filly to the Coolmore broodmare band. He went on to reveal a somewhat unexpected potential first mating plan for the champion filly.

• ‘That was more than my wildest dreams!’ - Barnavara brings the drama as December Mares Sale top lot fetches 4,800,000gns 

“In fairness to Donnacha he’s done an incredible job with her,” said Magnier. “She’s a very good filly, very talented, she’s got loads of quality so let’s hope she can breed something similar. We’ve put a good bit of thought into which stallion she might visit and there’s a good chance that she could go to Starspangledbanner. He’s such an underrated stallion that it’s unbelievable. In his first couple of years he was somewhat subfertile but he’s turned out to be very good.” 

Porta Fortuna raced for a partnership comprising Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing, Steve Weston and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, and was sold by US firm Taylor Made Sales Agency. The champion filly was led up by a familiar face on the sales circuit, Mick O’Dwyer. 

Porta Fortuna compiled a truly top-class race record, winning eight times over three seasons in training with Donnacha O'Brien. Half of those successes came during a highly productive juvenile season. A debut success at the Curragh was followed by victory in the Group 3 Naas Fillies Sprint Stakes before she headed to Royal Ascot and ran away with the Albany Stakes. 

She was then placed behind Bucanero Fuerte and Fallen Angel in top-level contests before making her Group 1 breakthrough in the Cheveley Park Stakes. She rounded out her first term in training with a fine second to Hard To Justify in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. 

She reappeared at three with a runner-up effort to Elmalka in the 1,000 Guineas before notching up a sensational hat-trick of Group 1 triumphs. 

Her hot spell began in the Coronation Stakes back at Royal Ascot, took in the Falmouth Stakes, in which she hit a career-best Racing Post Rating of 118, before reversing form with Fallen Angel in the Matron Stakes. Those exploits saw Porta Fortuna crowned Cartier champion three-year-old filly. She is the first ever winner of that particular accolade to be offered as a horse in training. 

Her trainer was among the crowd watching on. “It was great that she sold well,” said O’Brien. “I’m delighted that Coolmore and MV got her, it’s a great result all round. It’s kind of great to have it over with! Once she got off the box here looking well, that was my job over with. That was pressure off for me. She’s been ticking away in training for a few months and we’ve just been trying to keep her right and get her here looking well. She’s happy and healthy and all her owners got a great price for her.” 

MV Magnier: 'She’s a very good filly, very talented, she’s got loads of quality so let’s hope she can breed something similar'Credit: Alisha Meeder

Porta Fortuna was bred by Aidan and Annemarie O’Brien’s Whisperview Trading from the Holy Roman Emperor mare Too Precious. The dam was also bred by Whisperview Trading before winning four races for Joseph O’Brien and the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate. She was brought back into the Whisperview fold at the Goffs November Mares Sale in 2019, where Ana O’Brien signed the ticket at €11,500. 

Too Precious is a sister to the three-time Group 2 winner Numerian, while the pedigree goes back to the Cumanis’ Kithanga clan, meaning St Leger hero Milan is among the household names back on the page. 

The Tattersalls December Mares Sale record still belongs to Nunthorpe heroine Marsha, who sold to Magnier for 6,000,000gns in 2017.

Tamfana trade completes ‘Cinderella story’

Magnier also went to 2,600,000gns for another of the catalogue’s Group 1-winning offerings in Tamfana. 

Her previous visit to a public auction saw Tamfana fetch just €20,000 when renowned judge Jeremy Brummitt plucked her from the Gestut Etzean draft at the Baden-Baden yearling sale in 2022. She went into training with David Menuisier for an ownership group headed by the Quantum Leap Racing syndicate. 

“I’m over the moon,” said Menuisier. “I was a bit worried at the start, when she stalled at 950,000gns I thought ‘Hmm’. You have to be delighted, though. It’s a Cinderella story really. When you buy yearlings for that sort of money, you expect to have a bit of fun. You don’t expect a return, you don’t expect to try and win the Guineas, like she could have, it’s amazing really. She’s taken us on a magical journey. I’m glad she’s gone to Coolmore because they’re the best and she’ll have a fantastic life after racing.”

A facile Kempton maiden success on her second start at two was swiftly followed by victory in the Group 3 Prix Miesque, but those juvenile exploits were merely a springboard for a far more productive three-year-old campaign. 

She was beaten just a length in the 1,000 Guineas won by Elmalka, and arguably rated an unlucky loser having been traveling much the best when repeatedly short of racing room. She flew home to finish a never-nearer fourth. 

David Menuisier: 'When you buy yearlings for that sort of money, you expect to have a bit of fun'Credit: Alisha Meeder

She then finished a quarter of a length third in the Prix de Diane won by Sparkling Plenty, and then ran fourth against the colts in the Grand Prix de Paris won by Sosie. A drop down in grade saw her notch her third career victory in the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes. 

She gained a deserved top-flight breakthrough in last year’s Sun Chariot Stakes, in which she saw off Inspiral by a commanding two lengths. 

That proved to be her final success, although she has been far from disgraced this season. She was beaten just a quarter of a length when sixth behind sales-topper Barnavara in a bunched finish to the Prix de l'Opera, and was last seen running a respectable eighth behind Cicero’s Gift in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. 

“She’s a fantastic filly and I think she couldn’t really do herself justice this season for one reason or another,” said Menuisier. “She was bought for €20,000 by Jeremy Brummitt. If she’d sold for £20,000 today we would’ve been in profit! I think her racing career does not really reflect how good she was. But why should we be disappointed? You can’t be, it’s an incredible amount of money. 

“She goes to a really good home, I’m delighted she goes to Coolmore because she’ll have the perfect life. They bought the mare, so they have the full-brother to go in training next year. I’m sure I’ll have a box available if they want to have a nice new venture!” 

This is not the first time this family has found favour in the Park Paddocks ring, as 12 months ago Tamfana’s half-sister The Palace Girl sold to Woodford Thoroughbreds for 1,550,000gns. 

MV spree continues

Magnier’s name appeared alongside four purchases totalling 11,100,000gns. One of the quartet was signed for by Stephen Hillen, with the agent striking a bid of 2,100,000gns for Saqqara Sands. The lightly raced three-year-old was bred by John Deer and sold through his Oakgrove Stud. 

The daughter of Oasis Dream won three of her eight starts for Ralph Beckett, with the high point of her CV coming when dead-heating with stablemate Tabiti in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes. She returned to Goodwood on her next start and finished a neck second to Jonquil in the Group 2 Celebration Mile Stakes. 

Oakgrove Stud's Saqqara Sands makes her way into the Tattersalls ringCredit: Alisha Meeder

“I really liked her runs at Goodwood,” said Hillen. “She’ll go to America. I think she’ll be good on a turning track and there’s plenty of races for her there. She’s run to a rating of 110, that’s usually good enough to win Grade 1s in America. There’s lots of money there and she’s still young.” 

When the agent was asked whether Saqqara Sands might next be seen in his own silks, he said: “She’s for MV Magnier and Michael Tabor, that’s a bit out of my league! They’ll make training plans but I’m very lucky to be able to buy her. It was plenty of money for her but she’s got a good shot.”

Stroud wins out for Choisya

Anthony Stroud and Mark McStay engaged in a protracted seven-figure to and fro when Gainsborough Thoroughbreds presented the Grade 1-winning Choisya. 

When Stroud struck the 50,000gns increase that moved the bid board onto 2,000,000gns, McStay swiftly turned and exited the arena, prompting auctioneer Alastair Pim to quip “He’s gone like a scalded cat!” as he brought the gavel down. 

Stroud said that Choisya had been sourced on behalf of an undisclosed overseas client and would now begin her breeding career. He confirmed the purchase was not for Godolphin. No mating plans have been firmed up but the agent said that Frankel appealed as an ideal match for the daughter of Night Of Thunder. 

Choisya maintained a steady upward trajectory throughout her time in training with Simon and Ed Crisford. Her first of eight victories came in a humble Southwell novice event on her three-year-old bow before she progressed through the handicap ranks, picking up races at Haydock, Goodwood and Kempton along the way. 

Grade 1 winner Choisya brought 2,000,000gns from Anthony StroudCredit: Laura Green/Tattersalls

She registered the first of four black-type successes in the Listed Dick Hern Stakes at four. She was kept in training at five by Mohammed Al Nabouda, whose patience was rewarded with a string of career highlights. She recorded back-to-back Group 2 scores out in Meydan, first seeing off Romantic Style in Cape Verdi Stakes and then getting the better of Cinderella's Dream in the Balanchine. 

Her finest hour came on her next start when she shipped to Keeneland and scooped the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes. She claimed the scalp of subsequent Diana Stakes scorer Excellent Truth, who then sold to Katsumi Yoshida for $2.5 million. 

“She was a lovely racemare and her owner, Mr Nabouda was delighted with her career and felt that now was the time to sell her,” said Ed Crisford. “We’re delighted with the result. She started at a low level and worked her way up. It wasn’t really until earlier this year that she really turned the taps on and looked like a proper filly.” 

Choisya was bred by Rabbah Bloodstock and is the tenth foal out of the Listed-placed Fragrancy. This makes her a sibling to five winners, including dual Listed scorer Pelerin and the stakes-placed Base Note. 

Survie joins seven-figure club

The Classic-placed Survie could go in search of a first Group 1 triumph after being knocked down to Coolmore’s MV Magnier at 1.9 million guineas. The four-year-old daughter of Churchill was presented by Nicolas Clement and Frauke Hermans on behalf of owners China Horse Club and Gerard Augustin-Normand. 

“She’s a very good filly and Nicolas Clement and his team have done a great job with her,” said Magnier. “We’re going to talk to Michael and Doreen [Tabor] and see what they want to do, but she might stay in training. We’ll make a plan in the next couple of days. Churchill has had another great year. He’s a good stallion and is probably the most value horse we have at home now.” 

The four-year-old daughter of Churchill changed hands as the winner of three races, including Group 2 Prix de Malleret. That effort was preceded by a runner-up finish in the Group 1 Prix de Diane, in which she split Sparkling Plenty and Tamfana. 

Survive is out of the Listed-winning Le Havre mare Sotteville. Her sire is due to stand the upcoming breeding season at a trimmed fee of €15,000. 

Few lots in the catalogue boasted a better page than Watership Down Stud’s Chere Darmoiselle, who went the way of Arrowfield Stud’s Jon Freyer at 1,300,000gns. The unraced four-year-old is by Kingman and out of triple Group 1 winner Dar Re Mi. 

Survie sold for 1,900,000gns at the Tattersalls December Mare SaleCredit: Alisha Meeder

This makes her a sibling to eight winners, including the top-class Too Darn Hot. Chere Darmoiselle was offered carrying to Zarak, meaning her foal is a close relation to the champion two-year-old turned up-and-coming sire. 

Dar Re Mi has also bred the likes of the Group 3-winning and Group 1-placed So Mi Dar, Group 2 Middleton Stakes scorer and St Leger second Lah Ti Dar, and the Group 3-placed De Treville. 

“We’ll leave her here to foal and we’ll bring her home in the autumn,” said Freyer. “She’ been bought to go to The Autumn Sun, who we stand. We’re big fans of Too Darn Hot and we’re sending him half a dozen mares this year. We love that pedigree and the opportunity to buy a filly out of the family was too good to resist.

“We were stretched, we were hoping to buy her a fraction less than that, but the ones with those sorts of pedigrees, you really have to stretch form and I’m pleased that we did. We’re all about getting these mares with these families and we will probably keep all the daughters going forward.” 

Juddmonte’s Star Magnolia shines

There was seven-figure action before the Sceptre Session began, with Juddmonte’s Star Magnolia bringing 1,300,000gns. Agents Ed Sackville and Hugo Lascelles were the last men standing, with the latter ultimately striking the decisive increase. Lascelles signed the ticket in the name of his son and fellow agent, Henry. 

The four-year-old daughter of Kingman only made the track on one occasion during her time with Ger Lyons, but showed she had more than her share of ability by winning a Dundalk maiden by clear water. That performance was allotted a Racing Post Rating of 94. 

She was deemed important enough to be included in Frankel’s latest book of mares, and was offered in foal to the dual champion sire. This means the in utero foal is bred on the same cross as the Listed scorer Sand Gazelle. 

Star Magnolia is the fifth foal out of Pavlosk, a Listed-winning daughter of Arch. This makes her a sibling to five winners, most notably Group 1 Phoenix Stakes heroine Babouche and her Minstrel Stakes-winning sister Zarinsk. 

Star Magnolia was offered in foal to Frankel and sold to Henry Lascelles for 1,300,000gnsCredit: Laura Green

“What a great family to get into,” said Lascelles after signing the first seven-figure ticket of the evening. “She’s young and I like Kingman very much as a broodmare sire. It’s a great young family to get into, and she’s in foal to Frankel, so you can’t ask for much more really. The sisters are young too and they’re working for you. 

“The chat was that she had ability too, and she’s a very handsome lady, so we’re very excited to get her. I certainly thought she’d bring a million because she’s a great physical and in foal to Frankel, and has a page, which makes a hell of a difference.” 

Lascelles was unable to reveal the identity of his client, but said that Star Magnolia’s new owner was “an English owner-breeder.” He also said no decision had been made as to which stallion she might visit next year, but added: “She’ll get a good cover. If we’re lucky enough to get back to Frankel, who knows, but that might be the play.” 

Juddmonte sold 20 lots over the first two December Mares Sale sessions, with the draft generating receipts worth 4,276,000gns at an average price of 213,800gns. 

A record-equalling 11 lots sold for a seven-figure sum during a session that reached a frenetic crescendo. 

Other high points included David Redvers going to 1,800,000gns for the unbeaten Listed-winning two-year-old Pintara. The Ralph Beckett-trained daughter of Pinatubo was sold by Alex Elliott’s Imperium Sales and was signed for on behalf of John Stewart’s Resolute Racing. 

Ecurie des Monceaux went to 1,300,000gns for Lady Boba from Watership Down Stud. The well-related Pride Stakes winner was offered in foal to Night Of Thunder, as was the classy sprinter Azure Blue. The Barton Sales-cosigned daughter of El Kabier went the way of First Bloodstock at 1,100,000gns. 

Read more:

‘It’s a phenomenal pedigree’ - Japan Cup hero Calandagan’s half-sister tops day one of December Mares at 850,000gns 

'You don’t expect to sell a foal for that price' - Frankel colt fetches 1.15 million guineas as Coolmore and Juddmonte clash 

'It’s great to get into the family again' - Gewan's half-brother brings 500,000gns after big-hitters clash at Tattersalls 

Good Morning Bloodstock is our unmissable email newsletter. Leading bloodstock journalist Martin Stevens provides his take and insight on the biggest stories every morning from Monday to Friday.