Renaissance Lady Goes to Ace Stud at Tatts July Sale

Blue-blooded broodmare prospect Renaissance Lady lived up to her star billing by topping Day 1 of the Tattersalls July Sale July 7 at a cool 500,000 guineas (US$701,279, 1 guinea=US$1.40). The team from Tally-Ho Stud joined the fray with a solitary bid of 475,000 guineas. However, there was a dejected shake of the head from Tony O'Callaghan when an online rival returned with the decisive raise. After a brief wait, Ace Stud's name appeared on the six-figure docket. The unraced 3-year-old Pinatubo (IRE) filly was sold by Godolphin and bred by the late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. She is the 13th foal out of Reem Three, one of the best broodmares of modern times. The 23-year-old daughter of Mark of Esteem has produced 10 winners, a remarkable eight of whom achieved black type. Her most notable talents are the group 1-winning half siblings Ajman Princess (IRE), successful in the Prix Jean Romanet (G1), and Queen Anne Stakes (G1) hero Triple Time (IRE). The blue hen's other progeny include the group 2 scorer Ostilio, group 3 victor Cape Byron, and the listed-winning Captain Winters and Third Realm. All of those stakes victories were gained carrying the colors of Sheikh Obaid. Reem Three's legacy is already being extended by her daughters, as Ajman Princess produced Commonwealth Cup (G1) conqueror Inisherin (GB), and the unraced Rosaline is better known as the dam of three-time group 1 winner Rosallion (IRE). Inisherin and Rosallion now stand at Dalham Hall Stud, as does Triple Time, meaning Reem Three's influence is set to increase exponentially over the coming years. "Renaissance Lady really is something of a collector's item as a sister to a stallion, and closely related to Rosallion and Inisherin," said Ace Stud's bloodstock manager Paul Curran. "Pedigrees like this are just so hard to buy into, and they don't come onto the market very often." On her session-topping price, Curran added: "We probably paid a little bit more than we thought, but that's just the nature of this sale; it can be condensed quality. We're happy to get our hands on her, though." Renaissance Lady is the first of Reem Three's daughters to hit the open market. There could yet be more to come, with the great mare having produced a filly by Frankel (GB) last February. Although Renaissance Lady was Tuesday's clear standout on price, she never looked like threatening the July Sale record, which was set 12 months ago when Wathnan Racing went to 775,000 guineas for Royal Ascot winner Quai De Bethune. Godolphin sold 28 lots for gross receipts totaling 2,264,500 guineas (US$3,176,094). That figure put the operation well clear as the day's leading vendor, with the draft including six of the day's top 10 lots. There was a dead heat for the day's third-highest price with Enchanted Queen and Verse of Love bringing 180,000 guineas apiece. There was a 13% reduction in the catalog compared to the corresponding session 12 months ago, resulting in 46 fewer lots being offered than in 2025. However, that did not stop all indices from showing year-on-year gains. The 189 offered lots yielded 161 sales, which saw the clearance rate close at 85%. Turnover reached 4,956,000 guineas (US$6,951,080), a 12% increase, while the average price went up 34% to 30,783 guineas (US$43,175). The median was also up nine points, rising from 11,000 guineas to 12,000 guineas (US$16,831).