ife at Watership Down Stud has been as busy as ever throughout September, our dedicated team have meticulously prepared the yearlings that will be shipped to Park Paddocks on Friday, for the highlight of the European yearling sale calendar. For the last seven consecutive years, the most expensive horse in the world has been sold at Tattersalls October yearling sale – testimony to the exceptional quality of yearlings up for auction. The Book 1 sale is set to take place from the 6th – 8th October and here at Watership Down Stud we are excited to present a strong draft of 19 yearlings.
Amongst the Book 1 draft is a regally bred yearling colt out of CLABA DI SAN JORE, by leading Ballylinch sire LOPE DE VEGA. CLABA DI SAN JORE is the dam of nine winners from eleven runners including no fewer than three Group 1 winners CRACKERJACK KING, JAKKALBERRY and AWELMARDUK. The February born colt heads to Book 1 and is catalogued as Lot 93.
In addition, a smart son of Frankel will be offered out of DARSHAAN mare HOITY TOITY. The mare is dam to Group 1 Coronation Stakes and Group 1 Matron Stakes winner LILLIE LANGTRY, who is herself, dam to the phenomenal race mare MINDING. The February born colt is catalogued as Lot 198 in the Book 1 sale.
We have a quality selection of fillies too, including first foal out of Group 2 Temple Stakes winner Priceless, by Darley’s flagship sire DUBAWI. The well-bred January filly (catalogued in Book 1 as lot 370) is from the family of Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner REBELLINE, as well as the runner up in the same race, RECHARGE.
With the ever-changing restrictions worldwide due to the Coronavirus, you can view our full draft of Book 1 yearlings online safely from your home on the homepage of our website watershipdown.com. Book 2 will be online to view in the next few days.
We’re thrilled to announce more racing success this month for Watership Down Stud progeny. SPANISH MISSION (Noble Mission/Limonar) justified his 6/4 favouritism with an authoritative win in the Group 2 bet365 Doncaster Cup Stakes on 11th September under William Buick for trainer Andrew Balding and owners Team Valor LLC & Gary Barber. William Buick was more than impressed with Spanish Mission, “he’s got that bit of class against these stayers, that turn of foot. That together with his stamina is a good combination” (sportinglife.com).
September brought another reason to celebrate as Watership Down Stud owned and bred three time Group 1 winner DAR RE MI (Singspiel/Darara) was awarded the 2020 HJ Joel Silver Salver award for ‘Flat Broodmare of the Year’ at the TBA virtual awards ceremony. DAR RE MI is now the only mare since the awards launch in 1982 to win the accolade twice. Stud Manager Simon Marsh is quoted, “she has been a complete joy for us, and this mare has never stopped giving. Last year was an extraordinary year for her as was the previous year…. Her progeny culminated in Too Darn Hot and breeding a horse of his calibre really encompassed everything we’ve tried to do here“.
Hot off the press! We were delighted to hear from Yarraman Park Stud in Australia confirming that FINE SCENT has been scanned in foal to TOO DARN HOT. The black type performing mare was purchased by Watership Down Stud earlier in the year with TOO DARN HOT in mind. The undefeated European champion bred by Watership Down Stud arrived in Australia last month and has an extensive book of mares to cover over the season. Fine Scent current has a quality foal at foot by US Triple Crown winner Justify.
