There was one foal on everyone's lips at Fairyhouse Nov. 14, with Kildallan Stud's colt by the 2022 July Stakes (G2) winner Persian Force being the horse everyone had a word about at Tattersalls Ireland's Sapphire Sale.
Sure enough as the strong bay colt walked around the back ring, every pinhooker in the place gathered, but it was a three-way tussle between Ryan McElligott of Amo Racing, who campaigned the son of Mehmas for his single season on the track; Tattersalls Ireland's Mary Lanigan, who was taking instructions over the phone; and Nigel O'Hare to secure the prized foal.
When O'Hare made the bid of €50,000 (US$52,665, €1=US$1.05), McElligott bowed out and the foal will be joining Sam Maguire in spending the winter in the Orchard County.
O'Hare said: "He has a lovely walk, he is strong-boned and he has come well recommended by a few good judges, including one who has just walked past (Roger O'Callaghan of Tally-Ho Stud, where Persian Force stands) and he has a bit of size about him."
The foal was O'Hare's second purchase of the day, having snapped up a Time Test filly on spec for €2,500 from Cooneen Stud.
O'Hare added: "It has been difficult to buy yearlings this year, so we are looking at foals too."
A Book 1 Pedigree
The highlight of the yearling session was JD Moore's purchase of the Gleneagles colt with a massive pedigree from Kilmacoliver Stud for €32,000.
An early June foal, he is a half brother to 2013 Easter Cup (G3) winner and Arctic Tack Stud sire Jet Away and to Onshore, the dam of group 1 winner Onesto.
The foal's Kahyasi dam Kalima is a full sister to the listed winner and Juddmonte blue hen Hasili, and to Arrive, dam of the 2008 Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) winner Promising Lead.
Moore, who was operating on behalf of Donnacha O'Brien, remarked on the strength of the pedigree.
"It's a Book 1 page," he said. "Gleneagles has had a very good year with two new group 1 winners and with Calandagan to look forward to, and this yearling is a good enough size for his birth date.
"It could look a very good bit of business in a couple of years," he said of the €32,000 price tag.
Statistics
A total of 108 horses—foals, yearlings and a handful of mares—were offered at the Sapphire Sale, with 48 of them, or 44%, selling. They generated turnover of €325,200 (US$342,530), which was a drop of 41% on last year's total, when 79 horses sold for receipts of €533,100.
This time around the average price was €6,567 (US$6,917), which was a dip of 3% year-on-year, while the median, at €2,750 (US$2,897), declined by 31% from last year.
