HAVANA GOLD COLTS SHINE AT BOOK 2
Four colts from the second crop of Havana Gold were sold for six-figure sums at Tattersalls' Book 2 Sale in Newmarket this week...
Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and his racing manager Angus Gold are clearly big fans of Havana Gold as, through the Shadwell Estate Company, they signed for three colts for a combined 550,000 guineas.
They saved the best til last as Lot 1275, a colt out of Montjeu mare Grace And Glory (pictured), was bought for 250,000 guineas. Grace And Glory was unraced but, as her name suggests, she's a full sister to the four-time Gr. 1 winner Fame And Glory, as well as being a half-sister to the dam of three-time Gr. 1 winner Legatissimo. The colt was consigned by Coln Valley Stud.
The first Havana Gold to be secured by Shadwell was Lot 536, a Michael Downey-consigned colt out of Crafty Prospector mare Keladora who fetched 190,000 guineas. He's a half-brother to the winning two-year-old Wensley out of a Listed-placed daughter of Gr. 1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Karmifira.
The third Havana Gold colt knocked down to Shadwell was Lot 774, also out of a Listed-placed performer in Rock of Gibraltar mare Raggiante. Bidding ended at 110,000 guineas for this Hillwood Stud-consigned youngster from the family of Qatar Racing's Gr.2 winner and Gr. 1-placed Arod.
Sheikh Hamdan has already run three sons of Havana Gold, including Tabdeed who looked an exciting prospect when making a winning debut over six furlongs at Leicester in August.
Another keen Havana Gold supporter - and for very good reason - is trainer Karl Burke who paid 140,000 guineas for a full brother to his Gr. 3 winner and Gr. 1-placed juvenile Havana Grey. While consigned by Mickley Stud just like his brother, this colt is chesnut. Their dam, winning Dark Angel mare Blanc de Chine, has made a fantastic start to her second career as Havana Grey was her first foal.
There was also a cracking result for another of our stallions at Book 2 as the Charm Spirit colt out of Dieses mare Thankful - a half-brother to Listed-placed Morning Post - went to MV Magnier for 210,000 guineas. He will presumably join the hordes of other well-bred youngsters at Ballydoyle.
