Shalaa heads European First Season Sires sales results
Shalaa paraded magnificently at Arrowfield in August before serving his third Australian book of mares this Spring. (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)
The first Australian yearlings by Shalaa have been warmly anticipated ever since he joined the Arrowfield roster in 2017.
That anticipation has sharpened considerably after his first European yearling sale results, most recently in Parts 1 & 2 of at this week’s Arqana October Sale where Haras de Castillon’s filly out of Jessica Rocks (by Fastnet Rock) was bought for ~$600,000 by bloodstock agent Kerri Radcliffe for ~$600,000, the second-highest price of the Sale.
Thirteen lots later Powerstown Stud paid~$220,000 for Haras de Mezeray’s Shalaa-Lou colt, closely related to triple Group 1 winner Charm Spirit.
All but one of Shalaa’s 7 lots in Parts 1 & 2 sold, four made more than ~$160,000 and his average was ~$228,000 – making him the leading First Season Sire in the Premier sections of the Sale.
He achieved the same status earlier this month in Books 1 & 2 of the Tattersalls October Sale. Shalaa’s five Book 1 lots averaged ~$380,000 with a top price of ~$670,000 paid by trainer Roger Varian for the colt out of Summer Collection (by Teofilo), from the celebrated Best In Show family, like Redoute’s Choice.
Shadwell’s renowned buyer Angus Gold bought three yearlings by Shalaa from Book 2 of the Tattersalls Sale, paying ~$300,000 for Haras de Mezeray’s colt out of Wondrous Light (by Montjeu), and ~$200,000 each for a filly and a second colt. Shadwell has also sent mares to the son of Invincible Spirit in each his three seasons at Arrowfield.
“Shalaa was a top class two year old who recovered from a serious injury and won impressively as a three year old at Ascot, and I know John Gosden always held him in the highest regard as a sprinter. He is a very good looking horse and I have been most impressed with the yearlings I have seen by him in Europe this year. Shadwell will certainly continue to breed to him in both Hemispheres.”
– Angus Gold, Shadwell Stud
Also at Book 2, Rabbah Bloodstock paid ~$260,000 for Newsells Park’s colt out of Green Swallow (Green Tune), while Japan’s Toji Morita, owner of international Group 1 winner Deirdre, went to ~$240,000 for Floors Stud’s colt out of Federation (by Motivator).
Across both books, Shalaa’s 13 yearlings averaged ~$255,000 – a handsome return on his opening fee of €27,500 (~$45,000) at Al Shaqab’s Haras de Bouquetot in France.
