Stakes-Placed Aegina Tops Day 2 of Tatts July Sale

There was a sense of deja vu when the top lot on Day 2 of the Tattersalls July Sale was bought online. Twenty-four hours earlier, it was Ace Stud which dropped 500,000 guineas on the blue-blooded Renaissance Lady. Plenty of those at Park Paddocks expected the same name to appear when the talented Aegina (GB) (Lot 522) fetched 240,000 guineas (US$337,787 1 guinea=US$1.39), but on this occasion it was Nick Turnbull's County Durham-based Elwick Stud which claimed the spoils. Aegina ran four times for Donnacha O'Brien and Skara Glen Stables. She finished runner-up on her first two outings and then picked up valuable black type when third to Ipanema Queen in the listed Legacy Stakes. She landed short odds on her fourth and most recent outing, clearing away with a Dundalk maiden 3 1/2 lengths. She has not been seen on the racecourse since last October, but Elwick's stud manager Gary Moore, said the team hoped to send the 3-year-old daughter of Havana Grey (GB) back into training in due course. "She's a lovely filly," Moore said. "She was the only one we wanted to buy, and she'll come back to us for a rest before we make any plans. She's got a bit of a quarter crack (to her hoof), so we'll fix that and see what she's like." Aegina, who was presented by The Castlebridge Consignment, was making her second appearance at the sales. The first saw her bring £240,000 from Mark McStay's Avenue Bloodstock at the 2024 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale. She is the first foal out of the Showcasing (GB) mare Twist Of Hay, meaning she is bred on the same cross as exciting Norfolk Stakes (G2) scorer Orthodox (GB). There is plenty of talent high up in the pedigree, as the dam is a winning half sister to Athasi Stakes (G3) winner Twilight Spinner (GB). Swan in Action for Replay Yaupon de Replay (Lot 472) could be set to ship back across the Atlantic after realizing 200,000 guineas. The talented Kentucky-bred 3-year-old was last seen sporting the familiar colors of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who owned the Joseph O'Brien-trained filly with partners Middle Cow and Kevin Blake. She was knocked down to Charlie Swan, who signed BBA Ireland's name on the ticket. Swan was unable to shed much light on future plans, but confirmed he had not been acting on behalf of his regular client, JP McManus. "She could be going to America, but I'm not 100% sure yet," he added. This was Yaupon de Replay's fourth visit to the sales. She first changed hands as a foal at Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale in 2023, where Enfuego Stables signed the ticket at $105,000. She reappeared at the following year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where she was knocked down to Miacomet Bloodstock at an improved $150,000. She then fetched the same price at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, where O'Brien's Carriganog outfit made the signing that saw the youngster transfer from the U.S. to County Kilkenny. Yaupon De Replay was set a stiff task on racecourse debut in the Blenheim Stakes over 6 furlongs at Fairyhouse, but passed with flying colors to claim valuable listed honors. She soon found herself with all 11 rivals in front of her, but could be seen traveling much the best with 2 furlongs still to run. She quickened up smartly to take the lead entering the final furlong, and showed a bit of grit to hold off the persistent challenge of runner-up Chicago Call. She is from the debut crop of Spendthrift Farm's reigning leading freshman sire Yaupon, who won the 2021 Forego Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. Yaupon De Replay is the first foal out of the prolific Malibu Mischief, a daughter of Goldencents, who won 11 races and was placed in stakes company. While this did not look like a vintage July Sale catalog on paper, there was still intense demand for the stock on offer. This was illustrated in the clearest terms by Day 2, achieving a clearance rate of 95%, with a remarkable 175 lots selling from 185 offered. Turnover hit 5,579,500 guineas (US$7,852,846), which was down 28% year-on-year. The average price was down 21% against the corresponding session at 31,883 guineas (US$44,873), while the median dropped 20% to 16,000 guineas (US$21,447).