Shadwell rolled back the years to secure the £190,000 (US$256,417, £1=US$1.35) top lot during a strong opening session at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale Aug. 27.
Although the outfit spent many years as a leading buyer at this particular event, Shadwell's name has not appeared on a Doncaster docket since 2019. However, long-serving racing manager Angus Gold dusted off his bidding boots to secure a well-bred daughter of Minzaal on behalf of Sheikha Hissa's operation. The purchase consigned agent Henry Lascelles to the role of frustrated underbidder.
The session-topping filly is from the debut crop of Minzaal, who carried the famous Shadwell silks to victory in the 2022 Haydock Sprint Cup (G1) before taking up residence at Derrinstown Stud in Ireland.
"Obviously, we like to support our stallions where we can, and I came up here to have a good look at all the Minzaals," Gold said. "We've got three at home which we like a lot and, like everybody, I was impressed with the foals last year. I've been impressed with what I've seen up here too, but I thought this filly had a bit extra about her.
"She was as nice a filly as I saw here; she's a lovely model with a great outlook on her and a very good mover. We'll get her home and see where we go from there. She's a good advertisement for the sire—if there's a few more that look like her, then he'll have a real chance."
Minzaal is not the only Shadwell stallion with his first yearlings hitting the market, with champion Baaeed also being represented by his debut crop. Gold understandably kept his cards close to his chest with regard to future buying plans, but was evidently relishing seeing the stock of both stallions at the upcoming sales at Tattersalls.
"We're not going to be buying huge numbers like the old days, obviously, but there's a whole lot still to come from both Baaeed and Minzaal," he said. "At the same time, we can't only have yearlings by unproven horses, so we've got to balance things."
The filly is out of listed-winning Hateya, a daughter of Footstepsinthesand bought by Hugo Merry for 70,000gns in Dec. 2020. The youngster was consigned by Merry's partner, Jane Allison of Manor Farm in Wiltshire.
"I bought the mare as a maiden, and she got off to a bad start by producing a not very attractive first foal," Merry said. "This was a beautiful filly all the way through, though. I like Minzaal, and I like using Derrinstown stallions. We bred Anisette by Awtaad, who won three grade 1s in America, and I use him still every year. The dam is one of six mares owned in a partnership by myself, Jane Allison, and a man called Jose Morera, and it's called the Morera Partnership. We bred together Anisette and Making Dreams, a good filly by Make Believe."
Merry added: "It's great to see the Sheikha back in business, and I'm delighted for Angus as he's a pal of mine. We go back a long way!"
Although a smaller offering meant turnover was always liable to fall, all other market metrics showed a healthy set of returns. The average price rose by 12% year-on-year to £45,325 (US$61,163), while the median went up by 13 points to £34,000 (US$45,881). Aggregate sales reached £7,796,000 (US$10,520,208), just a 6% drop despite 43 fewer yearlings (18%) coming under the hammer. The clearance rate was a rock-solid 87% as 172 sold from 198 offered. The sale wraps up Thursday.
