“Almanzor is a magnificent looking horse and a great racehorse,” said Sir Patrick Hogan, with the Champion French 3YO having his first yearlings at the 95th NZ National Yearling Sales.
In Cambridge Stud selling 15 of Almanzor’s 48 total draft, its Lots 1 to 200 that feature on Sunday 24 January, Lots 201 to 390 on 26 January and 391 to 579 on Day 3, Tuesday 26 January.
In being the National Sales leading vendor for 31 consecutive years, the ‘so-called retired’ Sir Patrick now has three lots by Almanzor in Karaka 2021 Book 1, all bearing the ‘JP inside a circle’ brand.
Offered by Woburn Farm for Sir Patrick is a Almanzor half-brother to stakes placed winner Ohceedee, the family of Champion 2yo Assertive Lad, from the Zedative mare Assertiveobsession.
“Almanzor is a magnificent looking horse and a very good racehorse,” said Sir Patrick. “His first progeny are going through now and they’re certainly nice quality yearlings like he is himself.”
“He’s a smashing looking horse, and he’s got a pedigree that has proven what it’s worked here and that’s always a plus,” Sir Patrick Hogan stated.
“I think he’s got a big chance and of course he’s got the Iffraaj blood in him and we know that’s worked here in New Zealand, and that’s a head-start.”
In already being highly popular at the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast, his three lots sold totalling $1,520,000 at an average of $506,666, with his Lazumba colt selling for $800,000.
Offered by Bhima Thoroughbreds and from the Gr2 placed winning Sebring mare Lazumba mare, it was his breeder Sunlight Trust who stated “he is the best yearling we have bred, just lovely.”
In Europe his first yearlings made up to $450,000 last year with his Waldjagd colt, a half-brother to Urwald, selling to Mick Ryan for 250,000 Gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1.
Earlier at the Arqana Deauville Select Sale his Glittering Tax filly, a half-sister to Miss Temple City, sold to Michael Kinane and his Sefroua filly to the Broadhurst Agency, both for €280,000 each.
Also last year a 2% share in Almanzor sold for €310,000 at Arqana Online, while in 2019 his Fresh Air weanling filly sold for €260,000 to Ronald Rausher, at the Arqana December Breeding Sale.
In being crowned Champion European 3YO with a133 Timeform and 129 WTR rating, he won the Prix du Jockey Club of 2100m, the Champion Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes, both at 2000m.
In also winning the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano and Prix de Guiche at three, he won all three juvenile starts up to 1600m including the Grand Criterium de Bordeaux.
Today Almanzor is the highest rated performer of French Champion 2YO Wootton Bassett, a son of Ifraaj, who now stands at Coolmore Ireland, siring 17 stakes winners and $17m in earnings.
Classed as a pedigree outcross from the noted Aga Khan family of Champion European 3YO Filly Darjina, Darbuzan and Guildsman, Almanzor is from the unraced Maria’s Mon mare Darkova.
In launching the 2021 National Sales Series it’s the unbeaten On The Bubbles who is $4.20 favourite with Sportsbet for the $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO of 1200m at Ellersie.
A $90,000 Book 1 purchase by Brazen Beau from the Sebring mare More Bubbles a half-sister to Politeness, he’s drawn 15 for Leigh Innes and trainer Jamie Richards, owned by Te Akau Racing.
It’s all about the NZ 2000 Guineas winner Aegon in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic 1600m, having gate 4 for Johnathan Parkes and Cambridge co-trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.
Purchased by Andrew Forsman for $150,000 at Karaka 2019 Book 1 from Waikato Stud, he’s by Sacred Falls from Toss Up, the family of Good Faith and Daffodil, with Andrew Forsman as part owner.
