A round up of all the action for the Darley stallions over the past week
Runners on the rise
Monday’s card at Wolverhampton was brightened when Godolphin’s Cross Counter marked himself as a future star when dispatching his rivals by upwards of eight lengths in a well-contested Novice race. The son of Teofilo had won on his debut at the same track in early December and was always travelling sweetly, quickening clear to win with any amount in hand. Recording a Timeform race rating of 101, at the time the leading performance by a three-year-old in Britain and Ireland in 2018, he is a very exciting prospect.
Settle For Bay, a highly progressive son of Rio de la Plata, landed his fourth successive race at Dundalk on Friday evening. Starting his winning run off a mark of 76, his latest triumph came off 91 with a near two-length triumph over Red Avenger. Now rated 108 by Timeform, he will now have a break before being aimed at races over the Irish Guineas weekend and Royal Ascot.
First foals
As we tick through January, the first foals of the 2017 new retirees are being reported, with four new Darley stallions' offspring impressing their breeders.
Retiring to Dalham Hall in 2017, both Territories and Charming Thought have had their first foals. Kevin McAuliffe described his Territories daughter out of Aarti (pictured) as “a very good filly” with Gary and Lesley Middlebrook’s Charming Thought filly out of Albertine Rose as “belting”.
On Tuesday, the World Thoroughbred Rankings were published with the Darley stallions playing a prominent role.
Iffraaj’s star son Ribchester (pictured), who will soon start his stallion career at a fee of €30,000, was crowned Europe’s best miler for the second successive year. Up 2lb to 124 from the previous season, he beat off strong competition from Barney Roy (rated 121), Churchill and Brametot to take the top honours.
The mile and intermediate division in Australia was dominated by Winx (by the late and much missed Darley stallion Street Cry) but following her home were two sons of Teofilo; Humidor (rated 122) and Happy Clapper (121) with Authorized’s European-bred son Hartnell coming in on the same mark as Happy Clapper. Two runners that remain in training for 2018 who could add to their excellent records are Mr Stunning (Exceed And Excel, rated 121 and a close second in a G1 on Sunday) and Poet’s Word (Poet’s Voice, 119 after excellent second’s in the British and Irish Champion Stakes).
The ratings for European juveniles were also released with New Approach being rewarded for the excellent book of mares he received post-Dawn Approach. With three runners rated 110 or higher, he was only beaten by his own sire, and he could have an excellent season through the top prospects Masar, Hey Gaman and Magic Lily.
Australasian sales seasons moves to New Zealand
The Australasian sales season moved across the Tasman Sea this past weekend when Karaka hosted the NZB National Yearling Sale.
Iffraaj has enjoyed tremendous success during his stints in New Zealand and he had six yearlings sell for NZ$100,000 or more. His top price was for a daughter of Indomitable and a full sister to Champion Turn Me Loose, who was bought by Mana Park for NZ$360,000 (£187,000).
Epaulette, who sired four Stakes performers from his first crop in Europe, had one lot catalogued which was sold for NZ$170,000 (£89,000). The son of the Zabeel mare Zablonde was knocked down to Leanach Lodge Stud.
Australia's Champion three-year-old sprinter Brazen Beau has his first yearlings going through the ring, with both lots offered making NZ$100,000 or more. His highest price came for a daughter of Fifty Eight Facets which realised NZ$160,000 (£83,000) to Westbury Stud.
Open House at Dalham Hall Stud
Dalham Hall Stud will throw open its doors on Thursday and Friday, 1 and 2 February between 11.30am and 3.30pm, with the opportunity to see all 14 of the stallions about to start the new covering season.
As well as perennial favourite Dubawi, both his new sons Postponed and Night Of Thunder, who is standing his first season in England after transferring from Ireland, will be available to view. They are joined by another new retiree in Barney Roy, who broke the Royal Ascot track record when winning the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes.
No appointment is necessary and light refreshments will be available.
