Coolmore, Godolphin Clash Over Half to Senorita Bonita

Few events bring the sales ring to life like a clash between old foes Coolmore and Godolphin, and that was precisely what transpired at Goffs Sept. 29 during the second session of the Orby Book 1 Sale. In the ring was Churchtown House Stud's Modern Games (IRE) half sister (Lot 388) to this year's impressive Prix Morny (G1) winner Senorita Bonita (IRE). The leading 2-year-old was famously bought back by her breeder as a yearling at just 75,000 guineas, before going on to top the Craven Breeze-Up Sale at a whopping 900,000 guineas. It soon became apparent her younger sibling would not endure the same fate at the yearling sales. The price quickly moved into seven-figure territory, with the Coolmore camp in its usual position to the right of the rostrum, and the Godolphin buying team stationed on the top deck of the auditorium. With the price at €1.2 million, Coolmore's M.V. Magnier turned to trusted lieutenant Paul Shanahan. The result of their quick conflab was another €50,000 increase. However, the offer was swiftly and decisively countered by Anthony Stroud, standing with Charlie Appleby and David Loder as the hammer fell at a cool €1.3 million (US$1,474,025, €1=US$1.13). "It's been an unbelievable year," said an emotional Michael Gaffney of Churchtown House. "In 12 months, the whole thing has changed so much. "That's every breeder's dream. It's nerve-wracking, and it's brilliant, and it's the most fantastic feeling of all time. This is what dreams are made of, and this is the pavilion for dreams. It's unbelievable what a horse can do." Asked about the kick he has experienced watching Senorita Bonita's exploits this year, Gaffney said: "In 12 months, I've gone from trying to sell her sister at the yearling sales and failing, to this—it's unreal. If you sell something and it can win a listed race, you've done an amazing job. "To say we've gone from a maiden to second at Royal Ascot, winning a group 2 (Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes), then winning a group 1 and now this. A kick? I've skyrocketed! It's brilliant." Senorita Bonita and her seven-figure half sister are out of the unraced Belicious, a homebred daughter of Ruler of The World. Asked if he had felt tempted to cash in by selling the budding blue hen, Gaffney shook his head and said: "I'm a breeder. Her mother was bred to be a mare on the farm, and it's impossible to try to buy those types of mares in the ring. "If you have a good family, you try to work with it and build it. That's what we've always done, and it works! You try to tell the lads, have faith, hold the line and it does come right. It's taken me 40 years, but hold the line!" Gaffney was quick to highlight the efforts of those around him, saying: "I'm so thankful to everybody involved, my wife and kids, my brother Tom and everybody at home. The lads here with me, Carl and Rachael, they've done a super job altogether. I also have to thank Mr. Stroud, David Loder and all the people at Darley for having faith in our family. "It's brilliant, and I thank everybody who had faith and came in here and bid for our horse, and who've come back to us over the years. People coming back to us; that's what it's all about." Gaffney reported that Belicious has a Sioux Nation filly foal on the ground, is in foal to Camille Pissarro (IRE) and is likely to return to Senorita Bonita's sire Starspangledbanner (AUS) for her next mating. Stroud knows more than most about the talent this family possesses, having been responsible for securing Senorita Bonita at 900,000 guineas on behalf of Victorious Forever. "Senorita Bonita is very good, as she showed when she won the Prix Morny," Stroud said after signing the docket. "There was a genuine excuse for her run the other day (when fifth in the Cheveley Park Stakes). She's undoubtedly talented, and there'll be other good days for her. She's a top, top 2-year-old. "The Gaffney family at Churchtown House Stud are fantastic breeders; they do a great job. This filly will go to Newmarket and the principal will decide where we're going from there. We're just delighted to have a half sister to a very good horse. It's great to see M.V. bidding so strongly on a Modern Games." Goffs faced a tall order to match the figures posted by a buoyant Book 1 at last year's Orby Sale, but by the close of trade there were gains across the range of market indices. Turnover for the two days was up 3% year-on-year at €54,173,000 (US$61,424,869). The average price improved 4% to €138,905 (US$157,500), and the median went up five points to €100,000 (US$113,387). The clearance rate was a healthy 88% as 390 lots sold from 441 offered. Henry Beeby, Goffs group chief executive, said: "It's all about the horses. Whatever an auction house does to market a particular sale, it's worth very little if we don't have the raw material. Every year, we implore Irish breeders to send us a share of their best and we felt they had listened to our entreaties like never before in 2026. Then, of course, it's down to the purchasers and it gives us enormous pride that so many seemed to concur, leading to two days of truly vibrant trade for an Orby Book 1 that has set new benchmarks for every metric. "The record-breaking statistics have flowed from 48 hours of depth and consistency, with a remarkable increase in the number of yearlings surpassing €750,000 and €200,000 (15 more), whilst there were 197 who realized €100,000 or more."