Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing continued to invest heavily as the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale moved onto Book 2 Oct. 13. After nearly ten and a half hours of selling at Park Paddocks Monday, the outfit's name appeared on the docket of nine lots with a market value of 2.135 million guineas (2,989,508.13; 1 guinea = US$1.40).
The haul included the day’s most expensive signing, the Starman filly out of Emirates Empress who fetched 525,000 guineas when presented by Tally-Ho Stud. Joorabchian delegated media duties to Amo’s in-house trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy, who is overseeing the string based at Freemason Lodge Stables just up the road from the sales ring.
“She was my pick of the sale,” said Philippart de Foy. “She’s from a very good damside. She’s a very easygoing filly, very racy, and Starman can do no wrong; he had more winners again today, so I’m delighted to get this filly. I’ve been very keen on her since the start of the day.”
The filly is the first foal out of the mare, whose siblings include the group 2 winners Outbox and Royal Champion. In turn, they are out of Emirates Queen, a Street Cry half-sister to Dubawi who won the Lancashire Oaks (G2). Emirates Empress joined the Tally-Ho broodmare band at a cost of just 30,000 guineas in 2022.
The filly was one of four lots by Starman that were added to the Amo ranks Monday.
“I don’t think it’s only Amo; lots of people are big on Starman,” said Philippart de Foy. “He makes a lot of sense, and his stock look like horses that will keep improving as older horses. They’re not just small, racy 2-year-olds; they look like they have size and scope. He’s made a very strong start.”
The trainer is in the thick of his first sales season since taking over the Amo Racing string based at Freemason Lodge. Asked how he has found working the sales alongside Joorabchian and his team, Philippart de Foy said: “It’s a very exciting time. From Deauville in August, Keeneland in September, and then Book 1 last week, we’ve picked up some lovely horses by top stallions and from very good pedigrees. I’m looking forward to next year.”
Having suggested Philippart de Foy field the press’s questions, Joorabchian proceeded to tease the trainer by listening in as he gave his answers. When Philippart de Foy was asked if he had gotten used to working with his new employer, he smiled, shook his head, and said: “You never get used to him!”
Earlier in the day, Justin Casse signed for a 360,000 guineas son of Starman on Amo’s behalf. The colt is out of Deep Impression and was offered by Pier House Stud. Casse has been among those to have already enjoyed success with the stallion's progeny, having bought Tyros Stakes (G3) scorer North Coast for John Oxley.
“I bought him in partnership with Amo to go to Joseph O’Brien,” said Casse. “The stallion has been good to me so far, and to Joseph. He’s had a couple of graded stakes winners by the stallion, one of which I bought.
“Hopefully, we can replicate that success. This colt was a standout on the day for me. This colt might’ve walked a little better than North Coast; this horse has a really good reach to him.”
While agents Alex Elliott and Ben McElroy have been at the forefront of Amo’s buying at Tattersalls, Casse signed for two lots on the operation’s behalf at a cost of $1,350,000 during the Keeneland September Sale.
“I bought two horses for Amo in America,” he added. “We’re working individually, but if we align on the same horse, we try not to bid against each other.”
