Filly By Dandy Man Tops Opening Day Of September Yearling Sale Part II

Although operating at a lower division than earlier in the week, demand on Day 1 of Part II of the September Yearling Sale was strong for the better lots.

Ross Doyle was the day's biggest spender and the Irish agent bought the day's top two lots, the most expensive being a Dandy Man filly (Lot 706) offered by Ballyhane Stud which cost him €46,000. 

It has been a successful couple of days for Ballyhane; the top two lots sold in the first session of Part II are by the farm's stallions; its young sire Elzaam, provided the top lot on the Wednesday of Part I, while first-crop sire Red Jazz featured prominently throughout Part I of the sale.

"This filly is fairly typical of a Dandy Man," said Doyle. "She is a good physical, a strong sort and a good walker. She has good attitude and has been bought on spec for Richard Hannon. Dandy Man is a good solid sire and she has a decent pedigree."

The filly's grand-dam is Ionian Sea, dam of six black-type horses, including the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) winner Imperial Monarch, Ormonde Stakes (G3) winner Mount Athos and the Epsom Derby (G1) runner-up, The Great Gatsby.

Doyle went to €40,000 for a colt by fellow Ballyhane-based sire Arakan (Lot 594) and sold by Ardreigh Stud; Doyle hoping that lightning will strike thrice.

"He reminded us a lot of Dick Turpin and Trumpet Major - both sons of Arakan whom we bought here," said Doyle.

Dick Turpin and Trumpet Major are two of the best sons of the sire - the latter a multiple Group 2 and Group 3 winner, while Dick Turpin won the Prix Jean Prat (G1), the Premio Vittorio Di Capua (G1) as well as four further Group races.

All options are open for the Elusive Pimpernel colt (Lot 691) bought by Mouse O'Ryan for €31,000. 

"I thought he was an outstanding colt, a great looking horse and by far the nicest here today. He will be able to do both jobs. He is for an existing client and no trainer is planned yet. He was well bought by the vendor as a foal", said O'Ryan. 

The colt, who cost just €4,500 last year, was sold by Laurel Stables and his dam, a two-year-old winner in France, is a half-sister to the good NH Grade 2-winning mare Sweetheart, and to the Listed-winning, Champagne Stakes (G2) third Playfellow.

The aggregate for the session was €1,110,400, the median €5,500 and the average €7,711. The clearance rate was 71%.