One of the best pedigrees in the stud book duly drew the biggest price as the Juddmonte draft took center stage on Day 2 of the Tattersalls July Sale.
Calabria may not have made her name on the track but her breeding alone gives her crystal-clear claims as a broodmare prospect.
The 3-year-old daughter of Kingman is out of 2013 Prix Jean Romanet (G1) winner Romantica, making her a sibling to the listed-placed Brunnera. In turn, Romantica is out of Banks Hill, one of four top-flight winners out of the Juddmonte blue hen Hasili. Another sibling is Dansili, who didn't win at the highest level but became a prolific source of group 1 winners at stud.
Mark McStay stood in the center of the gangway as he clashed with Tally-Ho Stud's Henry O'Callaghan, who signaled his interest with barely perceptible nods of the head. "I think the first to 300 gets her," said John O'Kelly, and the auctioneer's prediction proved spot on as McStay signaled the decisive 20,000 guineas raise that took the bid board to 300,000gns (US$405,000, 1gn=US$1.35).
Just three lots earlier McStay secured another Juddmonte offering in Even Out, a daughter of Le Havre and 2008 Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) heroine Proportional, for 80,000gns.
"I bought two very nice fillies from Juddmonte and they were both bought for an existing client," said the Avenue Bloodstock man. "They're both very good physicals and Juddmonte blood is very hard to come by because they're the best breeders in the world. These two stood out here and we had to dig deep, particularly for Calabria, but Banks Hill's pedigree is probably the best pedigree in the book.
"When you see Banks Hill, Dansili, Champs Elysees on the page, it doesn't need much explanation as to why there was so much competition for her. I fancy Kingman as a broodmare sire, he could easily make it. They were both beautifully presented by Juddmonte, as you'd expect. Mating plans are fluid but they'll go to some of the best stallions and be given the best chance. I'm absolutely thrilled to get them, let's just hope they're lucky for their new owners."
The 300,000gns mark was matched by Anacapa, an unraced Frankel sister to 2019 Prix de Lieurey (G3) winner Fount. O'Callaghan again filled the role of underbidder after giving best to Grant Pritchard-Gordon of Badgers Bloodstock. Alex Elliott, standing beside Kia Joorabchian of Amo Racing, was also involved in the business end of the bidding.
"I've bought her for a client who I've been buying for for a long time and who loves Juddmonte families as much as I do," said Pritchard-Gordon, who spent 17 years as Prince Khalid Abdullah's racing manager. "Juddmonte have told us what we should be sending her to. You'd have to think No Nay Never, wouldn't you?"
"She's a lovely, big, backward filly. Funnily enough you can see a fair bit of (broodmare sire) Chester House in there. It's a family I've known for a very long time. She walked around the paddock well but just didn't come to herself early enough for Juddmonte to put her into training. She'll go straight to the paddocks."
Asked whether the 300,000gns price tag was in line with his expectations, Pritchard-Gordon said: "Juddmonte families always make more than you think they're going to make...or hope they're going to make!"
Anacapa is out of four-time North American grade 1 winner Ventura, meaning she is a half sister to the dam of 2022 Saudi Cup (G1) scorer Emblem Road (Quality Road ).
Juddmonte sold 12 lots for a combined 883,000gns.
The solidity of trade, particularly in the upper tiers, was reflected in the figures as turnover increased by 19% year-on-year to 4,813,500gns (US$6,498,225). The average also rose by 7% to 25,200gns (US$34,020), although the median went in the opposite direction to the tune of eight points at 12,000gns (US$16,200). The clearance rate was 92% as 191 sold from 208 offered.
The July Sale concludes July 11, with the third and final session beginning at 9.30 a.m. before restarting after racing at 5.45 p.m.
