Godolphin Broodmares in Tattersalls July Sale Spotlight

Buyers heading to this week's Tattersalls July Sale have a 942-lot catalog to get stuck into. Those on the hunt for a broodmare have one major target to aim at in particular: the Godolphin draft. After withdrawals, Sheikh Mohammed's operation will offer 30 fillies and mares during the July 8 session of the three-day sale, and history tells us there is likely to be a star or two among their number. Detailed statistics hosted on the Tattersalls website show that the dams of 34 group 1 winners who claimed 48 top-flight races between them have changed hands at the July Sale down the years. No fewer than 14 of those group 1-winning broodmares came from the Godolphin consignment, which was offered under the Darley banner prior to 2016. This roll of honor includes the dams of a diverse cast of international talent from Seeking Solace (GB), a US$93,086 buy who went on to breed Ten Sovereigns (IRE); Harlech (GB), a US$85,926 pickup who produced dual Australian group 1 scorer Hungry Heart (AUS); and Kamakura, a US$205,112 signing whose daughter Be Your Best (IRE) was last seen winning the Gamely Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park earlier this year. Moreover, the average price of those 14 elite producers comes in at US$85,059, which is far from excessive considering the scale of these mares' subsequent achievements. Among the likely types on paper in this year's draft are Magical Treasure (GB), a Sea The Stars (IRE) sister to Sea Silk Road (IRE) (Lot 265); De Luain, a Lope De Vega (IRE) sibling to three stakes winners, including dual group 2 scorer Usherette (IRE) (270); Rose Arbour, a daughter of Frankel (GB) and the classy Dubawi (IRE) mare Crown Walk (GB) (275); and Sarong, a Too Darn Hot (GB) half sister to the dam of Rebel's Romance (IRE) (276). Of course, Godolphin is not the only major breeding operation offloading fillies and mares who retain plenty of upside. Juddmonte offers 18 such lots, including Quadratic, the first foal out of Fillies' Mile (G1) winner Quadrilateral (GB) by Dubawi (564), and Orchid Bouquet, a Kingman (GB) sister to Calyx (GB) and Coppice (GB) (575). Meon Valley Stud offers three lots, featuring Zepparella (GB), a daughter of Izzi Top (GB) and therefore a sibling to black type performers Prince Eiji, Willie John, and Zagato (64), while Shadwell's seven-strong female offering contains Taala (GB), a filly by Too Darn Hot out of a sister to Magic Wand (174). Among the highly rated racing prospects due to come under the hammer are Hi Royal (IRE), who was runner-up to Chaldean in the 2023 Two Thousand Guineas (G1) (600); wildcard entry Green Storm, who finish second to Tennessee Stud in last year's Criterium de Saint-Cloud (G1) (583E); and Quai De Bethune (FR), who showed a chunk of improvement to land the Golden Gates Stakes at Royal Ascot on his latest outing (895). Selling begins on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. local time.