Equinties - Hendo on a high

Gm Equinauts

Every year we say the thoroughbred sales market feels like a bubble about to burst, and yet every year the notional figures traded surpass those of the year before and those of the expectations of any sound mind.

Obviously, Book 1 at the Tattersalls Yearling Sale is bound to be prominent, but the National Hunt scene has also been out of control.

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

HENDO ON A HIGH

From CALDWELL POTTER to REGENT’S STROLL, a lot of expensive horses are going to show their hand this jumps season, and there’s now a new record-breaker to add to that list - Lady Bamford bought the 2024 German Derby winner PALLADIUM from Saturday’s Arc Sale for a whopping €1.4 million, and she’s sending him to him to Seven Barrows!

The three-year-old has yet to arrive at Nicky Henderson’s yard, but he has already drawn attention from residents of Racing X.

Squeezing him in for the Triumph Hurdle already!? Some people hate money.

Although he is by GLENEAGLES, some half-decent jumps horses are by the dual 2000 Guineas winner (COMMON PRACTICE & EAGLES REIGN) and he is a half to Nicholls’ PANJARI who won last year’s Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

The big question is what will connections do with his crown jewels - will he remain entire?

Well, although it wasn’t clear initially, Nicky Henderson has said that targets on the Flat next summer are definitely in mind, though he does have a future over hurdles.

GOLDEN GODOLPHIN

‘Anything you can do, I can do better’ - was probably the thoughts of Godolphin and Sheikh Mo after Day 2 at Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale as they saw off Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing on numerous occasions.

The highlight bidding battle of the day came for a yearling that got a huge pedigree boost this Flat season, one that breeders could only dream of, as the full sister to CHARYN was snapped up for 2.9 million guineas.

The boost came from CHARYN’s run of two Group 1s, a Group 2, a Listed race, and further Group 1 place this summer.

Joorabchian and his team were the final underbidders on her, and although they out-fought the boss of Godolphin yesterday, they could not shake the Sheikh in the end.

This 2.9 million purchase formed part of an 11,050,000 splash for the boys in blue on Tuesday, the next most expensive of which was for the first colt out of the Group 1 winner LADY BOWTHORPE.

Godolphin spent 2 million guineas on the DUBAWI colt, yet again seeing off Amo Racing. Yesterday was a small reality check for Joorabchian at Park Paddocks - you can’t beat oil money!

The top four lots of the session went to Godolphin, and the two above filled out the top two places.

The third in the list went for 1.5 million guineas and is by TOO DARN HOT out of GALILEO half-sister to ZOFFANY, while the fourth-highest purchase was a DUBAWI colt out of the Group 1 Prix de Cadran winner MOLLY MALONE.

GUINEAS FORM IN QEII

How highly do you rate this year’s 1000 Guineas form?

Well, you can’t knock it!

Objectively, the worst horse based on subsequent form is the winner ELMALKA as the runner-up, PORTA FORTUNA, has won three Group 1s since, the third, RAMATUELLE, won last weekend’s Group 1 Prix de la Foret, and the fourth, TAMFANA, won the Group 1 Sun Chariot on Saturday.

Speaking of TAMFANA, David Menuisier is keen to make hay with her while she is in good form as she will make an appearance at British Champions Day.

The race? The QEII, won last year by BIG ROCK.

Menuisier said: "She's grand and really doesn't look like she's had a hard race. There's a good chance we might be backing up next weekend for the QEII.

"I've run her three times over a mile this year and she should have won all of them," he said. "She seems very efficient over the trip. I could step her up again and I'm sure she'll stay, but at the moment there's no point changing anything that works.”

Her potential opponents at the bigger prices look unconfirmed, but one can guarantee she’ll be taking on CHARYN. What a battle we could be in for!

RISK ON

No luck with the double yesterday, both were expected to win but the weight stopped CHELSEA EMBANKMENT in the mud. We made amends though with YANKEE DUDE and our X bet HUCKLESBROOK:

Today we like several at Exeter:

14.23 MAGICAL EXPRESS

Kim Baileys yard was in poor form last year but he’s flying now and this lad can go well first time over fences on this ground. Small bet at 2/1.

14.58 DEFINITE DREAM & 17.18 GUSTOSO TO PLACE

Both to place top 3 pays 3/1 on Bet365, other books a bit tighter. We think ROARING HOME can be taken on in her race despite the brilliant form, she might need the run and we’re hoping GUSTOSO can go close behind the Hendo horse who will no doubt win on the bridle and appeal to the distance backers.

16.43 HARRYS HOPE

Looked good when winning lto - on the up and has room to progress given her full bro is rated a lot higher. The ground is perfect where as the likes of SHERBORNE might want it a lot slower. Shortie but a goodie (hopefully) at 5/4.

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