Reprocolor breeder on hand to see the family hit the headlines again

Mark Weinfeld and sister Helena were jubilant after watching the Dubawi colt out of Izzi Top from their Meon Valley Stud sell to Roger Varian for 2,600,000gns on Tuesday and they were joined in their celebrations outside the Tattersalls sales ring by another person integral to the story of the operation's remarkable family.

Lavinia Lynam is the daughter of HG [Tiger] Wells, who bred Meon Valley's legendary foundation mare Reprocolor - the great granddam of Izzi Top via two Group 1-winning mares, Colorspin and Zee Zee Top.

It was her father who parted with 6,000gns for Reprocolor's dam, 'a very cheap filly' at Doncaster several years ago called Blue Queen.

"Blue Queen herself didn't stand training but my father sent her to a few stallions and she produced winners of small races; every one of her foals was a winner," Lynam recalled. "Then I thought it was time that she went to a much smarter stallion, because she was clearly able to produce winners.

"Meanwhile my father had bought a nomination to Jimmy Reppin, who was a handicapper really, for just 200gns. I said to him: 'what are you going to do with that?' and he said send him Blue Queen. 'Oh no,' I said, 'she wants something better'."

There was to be another twist in the tale of Reprocolor's breeding as when Blue Queen returned from her visit to Jimmy Reppin, she was scanned and believed to be not in foal. But a few months later, the future star was born.

"Blue Queen had this amazing filly and I remember my father saying 'I told you so'," Lynam said. "It's easy to say when they turn out to be a little superstar that we knew all along, but we really did."

It was at the December Sales in 1977 that Reprocolor was offered as a yearling and was bought by agent Richard Galpin for Mark's father Egon Weinfeld for 25,000gns. Sent to Sir Michael Stoute, she won both the Oaks Trial Stakes and Lancashire Oaks as well as running fourth in the Oaks.

Reprocolor excelled as a broodmare, producing nine winners including the top-level scorers Colorspin and Cezzane and Prix de l'Opera winner Bella Colora. Colorspin went on to breed three Group 1 winners, the champions Kayf Tara and Opera House, plus Prix de l'Opera winner Zee Zee Top.

The Dubawi colt out of Izzi Top struts his stuff in the ringCredit: Laura Green

Reprocolor's offspring continue to deliver on the biggest stage, including this season's stakes winners Ballet Concerto and Mildenberger.

The continued success from the mating of Blue Queen using that cheap nomination to Jimmy Reppin understandably fills Lynam with pride. "The whole of Reprocolor's story is entirely down to the Weinfeld family and Meon Valley Stud because they've done everything right with her," she said.

"But I've followed the family and I remember one of the happiest days of my life was when Bella Colora won the Prix de l'Opera. I've been in racing all my life and I'm still, after 35 years, basking in reflective glory!"

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