THERE was sadness surrounding the sale of Shambolic, a listed-placed daughter of Shamardal who was bought by Hadden Bloodstock for 800,000gns. “She is for Craig Bennett’s Merry Fox Stud,” said Gary Hadden, bloodstock advisor to Bennett.

“This was the only mare we were interested in. She is a stakes-performing daughter of Shamardal and there will not be many of those available in future. Her purchase was a no brainer. She is a half-sister to two Group 1 winners and she is a beautiful model.”

Shambolic was sold by Highclere Stud on behalf of Floors Stud, following the death of the Duke of Roxburghe in August. George Innes-Ker, the youngest of the Duke’s five children, was at Tattersalls.

“I am the only one of my father’s children who is interested in racing,” he said. “It was a big decision, but this is pretty special. Dad would have been very proud. Mum and I are going to carry on with 14 mares and run things on a little more commercial basis, though we will keep a few in training too. Ed Sackville will be helping us and he has been great, and John Warren and Lady Carolyn of Highclere have been really helpful too.”

Two other significant sales from the Highclere draft were Hostess to Badgers Bloodstock for 725,000gns and How to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for 680,000gns.

The three-year-old Iffraaj filly Hostess was bred by Highclere and won for Hugo Palmer at two before transferring to Simon Callaghan for whom she won the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita this year.

The five-year-old How, in foal to Lope De Vega and with a filly foal by Dubawi on the ground, was bought by Anthony Stroud for 680,000gns. She is full-sister to the champion Minding, winner of seven Group 1 races. “She is the whole package,” said Stroud. “She has a fabulous pedigree and is a very good looking mare. She is for an existing client, not Godolphin, and we are pleased to get her.”