DUBAI, 24th March, 2022 (WAM) — There was roaring trade from the off as the Dubai Breeze-up Sale, the first sale of two-year-old horses in training to be held in the Middle East, exceeded expectations, recording approximately AED31.6 million in horse sales.
The event, organised in association with Goffs, Ireland’s leading bloodstock sales company, was held two days ahead of the prestigious Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse.
Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said, “We are delighted at the success of the inaugural Dubai Breeze-up Sale. Our goal is to strengthen Dubai’s position in the field of equine sports and activities, and by hosting the Middle East’s first sale of two-year-old horses, we are further contributing to enhancing Dubai’s status as a leading player in the world of horse racing.”
“We thank the team at Goffs, the consignors, and buyers for their hard work and support. This has been an excellent start to what we hope will be a sale which will grow, year on year,” Bin Dalmook added.
The very first lot, MC Thoroughbreds’ son of Gun Runner, out of Grade 2 winner Bank Audit, went for AED1.4 million to Dr. Jim Hay, a longstanding owner who has recently based horses in Dubai with Bhupat Seemar.
Dr. Jim Hay also dug deep to secure another of Mickey Cleere’s three-strong consignment, the Into Mischief filly out of 11-time winner Ageless, for AED1.6 million.
The sale, which had 72 lots originally catalogued, offered a range of sires, including one by Frankel who was the first to smash the AED2 million barrier. Lot 30, Frankel out of Noyelles, dam of Meydan winner Lily’s Angel, went for AED2.1 million to Hirokazu Okada/Big Red Farm, delighting consignor John Cullinan of Church Farm and Horse Park Stud.
It took another 15 lots to beat that figure when Lot 45, a son of 2008 Dubai World Cup winner Curlin, out of dual winner Saucy Dame, took over the top spot. Consigned by Powerstown Stud, the chestnut was knocked down for AED2.5 million to Mohd Al Subousi.
Also popular was Lot 40, Kingman ex Raskutani, a half-brother to Meydan winner Global Heat, who went for AED2 million to Peter and Ross Doyle, while the sale’s only Dubawi, Lot 24, a filly out of dual winner Joyful Hope, went for AED1.4 million to Yousuf Salem Saeed Saqer Al Kaabi.
