By the time the final bang of the auctioneer’s gavel had echoed around the Tattersalls sales pavilion to signal the end of bidding on the prestigious Book One of the October Sale, Phoenix Thoroughbreds had added five yearlings to their roster.
Always a competitive auction, full of high-quality offerings the Dubai-based group can feel happy with their business so far. The quintet of horses all carry attractive and classy bloodlines that will undoubtedly have piqued the interest of the fund’s band of trainers. Which of those handlers gets which lots is not yet decided with the Phoenix team eager to get a better feel for their recruits before assigning them.
Headlining those is a Frankel colt out of champion two-year-old filly Attraction. A full brother to Group Two winner and Group One placed Elarqam he was high on the team’s shortlist. Listed as Lot 180 and consigned by Floors Stud the colt was one of the last through the ring on day one, but with high-class relations throughout his family tree, including the likes of half-sibling Fountain Of Youth, hopes are high he was worth the wait.
Day Two saw a little more activity from the team led by CEO Amer Abdulaziz and President Tom Ludt. Three yearlings joined the team with bloodstock agent Dermot Farrington on hand to sign first for Lot 202. Part of the Castlebridge consignment this daughter of Kingman hails from the same family as dual Group One winner Coronet. Out of winning mare Blue Chip, a sister to black-type winner Michelangelo, the filly’s page is littered with Group One successes with Aussie Rules one of the eye-catching family members.
A full brother to listed winner On Her Toes and a half to another black-type scorer Janes Memory, also saw Phoenix Thoroughbreds get our their chequebook. Listed as Lot 240 this Kodiac colt can number prolific stakes winner The Kiddykid and Group One triumphant Natroun as relatives.
Prepared by Baroda Stud, Lot 337 rounded off an auspicious day for the innovative investment fund. Sired by Derrinstown’s Awtaad the filly is a half-sister to a couple of winners, Fred Bongusto, Atlantic Viking and Amrouble are some of the noteworthy relatives on her page.
The ambitious owners may have added just one more on the final day of Book One bidding, but the Kingman filly, presented by Genisis Green Stud certainly catches the eye on paper. Out of a winning mare and a half-sister to the classy Capella Sansevero she carries several Group One bloodlines. Dubai World Cup winner Victoire Pisa is on a not too distant branch of the family tree and perched just next to him is another multiple Group One victor in the shape of Akakusa Den’en.
Attention now turns to Book Two with bidding in Newmarket due to get underway on Monday 14th October.