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Plus: Shadwell Stallions deliver at the yearling sales

Shadwell’s annual consignment to the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale always warrants close inspection by buyers looking for quality and value and this year’s is described as “the best in terms of quality for a long time”.

Many graduates of previous drafts have gone on to enjoy long and productive careers for their new connections. Just look at Al Qareem, purchased for 27,000gns at the 2021 renewal of the sale. This year alone the son of Shadwell stallion Awtaad has won no fewer than four Stakes races, including two Group races, and twice been placed in Group 1 company, becoming a wonderful advert for Nick Bradley Racing and the team at Karl Burke’s yard.

Other such examples, to name but three, are Annaf, Mutasarref and Naqeeb. Annaf went through the ring and was sold to trainer Mick Appleby for 16,000gns. His careers earnings now stand at just under £1.4million. And at the age of six, the son of Muhaarar rounded off this turf season with another Stakes win at Ascot.

Another graduate is Mutasarref who at the age of seven is still highly competitive in Stakes races, recently finishing runner-up to the subsequent QEII placed Alakazi over a mile in a Group 2 at Leopardstown. As jockey Colin Keane said of Ger Lyons’s charge: “Horses like him are hard to come across.”

And then there is Naqeeb, the half-brother to incomparable Baaeed, who was sold at this sale last year and has since taken his connections to all the major summer festivals, including fine placed efforts at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood before winning his first Stakes race last month at Goodwood.

This year’s consignment could well include more value buys that follow in the footsteps of Al Qareem, Annaf, Mutasarref and Naqeeb.

Above: Munsif trained by Roger Varian has a Timform rating of 102

Angus Gold, Racing Manager for Shadwell Estate, said: “In terms of sheer quality per number of horses we are selling, it’s much the best consignment we have had for a long time. There are some really nice horses in there.”

The consignment includes several improving three-year-olds. One such example being Mukhtalif, a son of Sea The Stars, who has been patiently developed by William Haggas and last time out won impressively at York over a mile and a quarter.

Angus Gold added: “Mukhtalif has only run five times, has never been out of the first three and won his last two starts. His win York the other day was in the style of a really progressive horse. He was immature as a two-year-old but is very much going the right way now. He could do any job really, he’s a nice middle-distance horse in the making and we don’t know his ceiling, he could be a real decent horse and his future is all ahead of him.”

“Similarly, Munsif, trained by Roger Varian and with a Timeform rating of 102. He’s run six times, won three of them, stays a mile and a half and seems to handle any ground. He too should be a progressive horse next year over middle-distances, he could stay here and win again here or go abroad.

El Burhan is the highest rated of the draft. He’s a lovely tough horse, has won four of his eight starts and is another nice prospect. He is due to run on Saturday at Doncaster.”

Of the remainder, Gold name-checked, Mawood – “a very progressive horse, lovely big scopey horse” – and two-year-old, Shahik – “he was a good second to Division, who then went on to win a Listed race at York, and Shahik then won well at Newcastle over six and will get seven furlongs. And there are others that will definitely win races.”

“We are keeping the numbers tight nowadays, hence why there are opportunities to buy some nice horses which will hopefully go on and do well.”

The consignment sells in three batches, all on day one of the sale, Monday 27 October.

Shadwell Stallions making waves at yearling sales

On the subject of sales, the market spoke positively for both of the first yearling crops by young Shadwell stallions Baaeed and Minzaal.

World-champion Baaeed has been supported by many of the world’s leading breeders and his first yearlings duly ignited the sales ring, led by an €800,000 purchase at Arqana by Al Shira’aa Racing for a filly. This was followed by more fireworks at Tattersalls where Baaeed’s results included prices of 625,000gns, 410,000gns and another at 410,000gns.

Meanwhile, Minzaal has been the ‘talk of the town’ from Doncaster to Newmarket via Goffs Orby Sale in Ireland. Breeders who supported the Group 1 winning son of Mehmas were rewarded and then some with yearling prices reaching 550,000gns, 450,000gns, 300,000gns and €300,000.

Shadwell were also adding to their 2026 armoury and purchased six yearlings, including three yearlings by Baaeed and two by Minzaal.