69 blue-blooded future racehorses have arrived in Dubai ahead of the first ever Dubai Breeze-up Sale, which begins on Tuesday.
The two-year-olds hail from many of the leading breeze-up consignors in Ireland and the UK, and the sires represented include American Pharoah, Arrogate, Curlin, Dark Angel, Dubawi, Exceed And Excel, Frankel, Gun Runner, Into Mischief, Invincible Spirit, Justify, Kodiac, Kingman, Lope De Vega, Mehmas, More Than Ready, Night Of Thunder, Pioneerof The Nile, Showcasing, Siyouni, Starspangledbanner, Uncle Mo and Wootton Bassett.
A name that jumps immediately off the page is that of Polar River, heroine of both the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas and Group 3 UAE Oaks in 2016. Her second foal, a colt by American Pharoah, is catalogued as Lot 36.
Peeping Fawn was a wonderful servant on the racecourse for Aidan O’Brien and owners Coolmore, collecting the G1 Irish Oaks among her four top-flight victories. She is represented by Lot 31, a colt by Daiwa Major.
Hawkbill, a son of Kitten’s Joy, won on ten occasions for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, highlighted by the 2016 Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown and 2018 Group 1 Sheema Classic at Meydan. His three-parts brother, by Kitten’s Joy ex unraced Hard Spun mare Hard Cloth, is another to catch the eye, going through as Lot 22.
Given the ongoing continued success of his stock worldwide and especially in the UAE, the only offering by Dubawi, a filly, will surely be eagerly awaited. She is a half-sister to a winner out of Joyful Hope, a Listed winner herself and full-sister to Group 1 Italian Derby hero Crackerjack King. They are also half-siblings to Group One winners Jakkalberry and Awelmarduk.
There is also a Maclean’s Music half-brother to Grade 1 winners Majestic Harbor and Danza, as well as a Dark Angel half-brother to the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Tarnawa and a Sea The Moon filly who is closely related to Stradivarius.
Impressing during morning training has been Lot 1, a good-looking son of Gun Runner out of Grade 2 winner Bank Audit. He is consigned by Mickey Cleere of MC Thoroughbreds, who has three in the sale.
“We have three really nice horses; a Gun Runner colt, a Raven’s Pass colt (Lot 5) and an Into Mischief filly, (Lot 67)” he said. “The flight and preparations have gone very well and we haven’t done much differently to if it was a normal breeze-up sale, taking place later in April or May.
“This is a great idea and I hope it is a successful sale for everybody.”
Former jockey Eddie Ahern consigns Lot 41, a colt by Showcasing out of US Grade 1 winner Rosinka, who he rode himself on Monday morning to help the youngster get a feel for the track.
“Everything has gone very well and the horses all seem to have settled in nicely,” he said. “Showcasing has had success in Dubai and this lad is a nice type so we’re hoping for a good sale.”
Goffs’ International Client Relations Consultant, Tom Taaffe, in Dubai to organize the sale commented: “All of the horses have arrived and are stabled at Nofa Quarantine, where it is nice and quiet. They are using the first two days for some gentle exercise on the Tapeta track before the breeze on Tuesday. So far everything has gone smoothly and we are very happy. We’ve had a lot of interest from buyers already and look forward to seeing everyone here on Tuesday and Wednesday.”
The breeze takes place on Tuesday, March 22nd at 7:45am on the training track and the sale takes place on Wednesday, March 23rd, at 5pm in the Parade Ring at Meydan Racecourse. Potential purchasers intending to bid, whether in person or online using the GoffsOnline.com platform, are required to register with Dubai Racing Club in advance.