Royal Ascot was so firmly at the front of buyers' minds ahead of the Goffs UK Breeze Up Sale that it was a little surprising not to see top hats and tails out on Town Moor during the two-furlong workouts the morning of April 24.
A sizeable crowd of bloodstock agents, owners, and trainers lined the side of the racecourse as around 190 2-year-olds went through their paces, although the identities and exact number of onlookers was hard to gauge given many of the spectators wisely stayed in their cars and out of the cold.
But, whatever the specifics, it is no wonder that so many prospective purchasers have flocked to South Yorkshire in search of a juvenile with Royal Ascot potential, as the sale boasts an impressive record of success in this department. The past seven years have seen the winners of eight Royal Ascot races graduate from the Doncaster Breeze Up Sale, a list that is dominated by, but not exclusive, to high-performing 2-year-olds.
The poster boy from last year's renewal is Bradsell, who ran out a decisive winner of the Coventry Stakes (G2) for Archie Watson less than eight weeks after being bought by Tom Biggs of Blandford Bloodstock for a value sum of £47,000.
Bradsell was prepped and offered by jump jockey turned breeze up consignor Mark Grant, who is riding the crest of a wave having also seen his two Craven Sale Lots, colts by Invincible Spirit and Blue Point, fetch 180,000gns and 250,000gns respectively in Newmarket last week. Grant brings a four-strong draft to Doncaster that features colts by Aclaim (Lot 139), Almanzor (Hip 143), and U S Navy Flag (Lot 30) as well as a well-connected filly by Mehmas (Lot 100).
"We've four of them here and they looked pretty professional as they all went up nice and straight," said Grant. "I'm not sure how they've done on the times yet, but they looked good doing what they did, so we're pleased with how they've gone.
"The ground was a bit slow early on, but there was a drying wind all day, so I'd say the ground was getting better later on. Because of that the times might be quicker for those that breezed later."
Expanding on the make and model of the Doncaster breezer, Grant said: "You're looking for a sharp, early horse to come to this sale. We had Bradsell here last year and he was all speed, so he was the type that was always going to come here. He just looked quick.
"It would be hard to get another like Bradsell, but we have a very smart Aclaim colt. He went pretty well and he's been giving me all the right signs at home, so I'd like to think he could be a smart horse."
Bradsell was not the sale's only Royal Ascot winner last year, either, as Perfect Power backed up his 2021 Norfolk Stakes (G2) triumph by annexing the Commonwealth Cup (G1). Having landed three top-flight prizes during a productive time in training, Perfect Power is now in the middle of his debut season at Darley's Dalham Hall Stud, where his fee is £15,000.
The Middle Park Stakes (G1) and Prix Morny (G1) winner is a fine advert for the talents that can be unearthed at this sale, not only on account of his own achievements but because he hails from the debut crop of Ardad, who shared top-lot honors at £170,000 at the 2016 renewal before retiring to Overbury Stud. Both horses were signed for by Blandford's Richard Brown, who was among those inspecting this year's offerings during a bright and breezy afternoon of showing.
Plenty of those looking at Doncaster had been active at last week's Tattersalls Craven Sale, including Anthony Stroud, who signed for the joint 625,000gns sale-toppers, Richard Ryan, Najd Stud representative Saud Al Qahtani, and Eoin Sullivan, who was busy shopping on behalf of Saudi Arabian interests.
With significant investment and months of hard work having already been invested in these breezers, the hours before a sale can be a nervy time for consignors. One vendor left to reflect on the precarious nature of selling breeze up 2-year-olds was Mick Murphy of Longways Stables, who spoke candidly about his fortunes out on the Doncaster track.
"I thought I had a nice bunch coming here and I thought I had two exceptionally fast horses," said Murphy. "I thought my Dark Angel filly (Lot 167) and my Blue Point colt (Lot 8) would be very fast, but one delivered and one didn't.
"The Dark Angel filly breezed very well, but the Blue Point seems a bit flat. He was the work companion of my Munnings horse (topped day one of the Craven Sale when bought by Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock for 360,000gns) and I actually thought he might be quicker than the Dark Angel filly."
Despite failing to meet Murphy's expectations, the Blue Point colt still appears to have plenty going for him as the €105,000 pinhook is the second foal of Kodyanna, who finished second in the Prix de Cabourg (G3) and third in Redcar's listed 2-Year-Old Trophy.
Managing director Tim Kent outlined Goffs UK's aim when compiling the breeze up sale catalog, saying: "We're looking for those smart 2-year-olds like Bradsell. When we're doing the inspections and talking to vendors, we're always thinking, 'Has this horse got a realistic chance of going to Royal Ascot if things go right?'
"They can't all make it, obviously, but that's what we've got in mind. We've had seven Royal Ascot winners in seven years, and, from what we saw during the breeze and what we're seeing in the yards, it looks like there's some ammunition to continue the theme.
"It's been really busy for the last couple of hours and we know there are more people coming in tomorrow, so we're hopeful of a good trade. There are some new buyers here, which is exciting, along with our existing clients, so hopefully it'll all come together tomorrow."
Factfile
Where: Goffs UK Sales Complex, Doncaster
When: Selling begins April 25 at 10 a.m. (local time)
Last Year's Stats: From 158 offered, 133 lots sold, 84% for turnover of £6,515,500 (US$8,105,803) up 5% year-on-year, an average of £48,989 ($60,946) up 1%, and a median of £36,000 ($44,786) up 6%.
Notable Graduates: A'Ali (sold by Star Bloodstock, bought by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for £135,000); Bradsell (sold by Mark Grant Racing, bought by Blandford Bloodstock for £47,000); Perfect Power (sold by Tally-Ho Stud, bought by Blandford Bloodstock for £110,000); Steel Bull (sold by Kilbrew Stables, bought by Michael O'Callaghan for £28,000)
