Lope de Vega Colt Tops Goffs Classic Breeze Up Sale

Norman Williamson's Oak Tree Farm struck gold at the Goffs Classic Breeze-Up Sale June 27, as its blue-blooded Lope de Vega (IRE) colt, out of a sister to dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Treve (FR), topped the session after selling to Avenue Bloodstock's Mark McStay for €330,000 (US$375,771, Euro$1=US$1.14). The colt, who Williamson purchased for 150,000 guineas at last year's Tattersalls Book 1 Sale, attracted fierce competition before McStay secured him, having been impressed by both his physical presence and outstanding pedigree. The agent, who bought unbeaten 3-year-old Extremely Zain from Katie Walsh's Greenhills Farm for €185,000 at the same sale 12 months ago, revealed the sale-topper came with glowing recommendations from both Williamson and Walsh. "Everyone who buys the top lot of the sale will tell you it was the best horse in the sale, but I really thought he was," he said. "He's a very good-looking colt. Norman and Katie (Walsh) both recommended the horse to me and I've had tremendous luck buying horses from Katie, including at the sale last year. "He's by one of the best sires in the world in Lope de Vega and from one of the best pedigrees in the book, being from the family of Treve. He breezed extremely well considering he's bred to get a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half. He was well presented and he vetted impeccably." Discussing plans for the youngster, McStay added: "He's been bought by an existing owner, but the plans are fluid. I'd say he'll be trained in the UK. We'll ship him back to Newmarket and then make a plan from there with his owner." Out of the winning Motivator (GB) mare Terre, the colt is a brother to winners Terre de Vega and Tierra Del Toro, while his half siblings also include the seven-time winner Alcaraz. Originally intended for the Arqana Breeze Up Sale, the colt was rerouted to Goffs after suffering a minor setback before his scheduled appearance in Deauville. Williamson explained: "He was entered in Arqana and had a little holdup with a pulled muscle. Straight away I spoke to Nick Nugent, well in advance, and told him we thought he was a very good horse and he has turned up here. He is a beautiful colt. "There were three or four people on him after €200,000, all the right people. Mark bought Extremely Zain here last year and he's going to be a very good horse. Let's hope this fellow does the same. We are thrilled, but we think he is a very nice horse." Reflecting on the continued growth of the sale, Williamson added: "The sale certainly has a future. Last year, I think some people were wondering if it would work or not, but it has proven itself. "Katie Walsh sold a good horse here last year and he made plenty of money. Let's hope it keeps going. I'm happy." At the close of trade, Goffs reported that 42 lots changed hands at a clearance of 73% for a total receipts of €2,985,000 (US$3,399,020), a 16% increase year-on-year. The average finished at €71,072 (US$80,930), an 8% increase, while the median rose 11% to €50,000 (US$56,935).