A sale almost seems disappointing if it doesn’t break records these days, but thankfully for Tattersalls, a new high price was reached on the second day of the July Sale on Wednesday. While the strength of the bloodstock market may ebb and flow, the appeal of Juddmonte bloodlines seems timeless, as was the case of Wednesday’s highlight.

Grant Pritchard-Gordon knows all about the success of the pink and turquoise silks, having served as racing manager to Prince Khalid Abdullah’s operation in the eighties and early nineties. It was through his and son Tom’s agency, Badgers Bloodstock, that they secured Orchid Bouquet, an own-sister to Calyx, for 550,000gns.

“I obviously love Juddmonte families,” the agent said after signing for the unraced three-year-old. “I knew the fifth dam, and that is the whole attraction, and my client does, too. The client has been very keen on Juddmonte families, and we both agree there. This filly stays in Europe."

On whether he expected to pay that much for the bay, the agent replied: “I did not think we would have to spend so much, but these Juddmonte fillies and mares always have a premium. It is one of the very top Juddmonte families, there is so much happening around it, and just keep staying alive.”

The daughter of Kingman is out of Group 3 heroine and Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Helleborine, who has a yearling filly and colt foal by the same sire. Distant Music and Native Trail feature further down the page.

Before Orchid Bouquet graced the ring, fellow Juddmonte filly Fleeting Ember held the title of sales topper, after selling to Blandford Bloodstock for 300,000gns. The Frankel filly’s price is a far cry from the 9,000gns Ringfort Stud paid for her dam, Flare Of Firelight. 11 years ago.

From the top-class Niarchos family of Light Shift, Shiva and Ulysses, she was purchased privately by Juddmonte after producing high-class juvenile Threat. As her daughter’s purchaser Tom Goff put it, “It’s a lovely Niarchos family that’s been added to by Juddmonte. What more could you want?”

On the day, Juddmonte sold 22 lots, seven of them for six-figure sums, and for a total of 2,003,000gns.

Ghazali keeps going

Gassim Ghazali was the leading buyer at the opening session and the Qatari trainer showed no signs of waning on Wednesday, when his purchases cost up to 220,000gns and 380,000gns. His most expensive buy was Kingsley Park’s wildcard Green Storm, placed in a Group 1 at two and most recently a strong-finishing fifth in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“I am very lucky to have been able to buy this horse,” Ghazali commented. “He will fit into the programme, travelling to Qatar shortly with a plan to run in the Qatar Derby and then, hopefully, the big races in the region through the spring.

“Buying at the July Sales gives enough time for the horses to acclimatise before the winter season. He could be a horse to run back in Europe – I have done that before and I am keen to do that again.”

Charlie Johnston might be disappointed to lose the Ahmad Al Shaikh-owned colt, but the result should attract future customers, especially considering the colt’s yearling price of €12,000. The Circus Maximus colt is the sixth foal and first stakes performer out of multiple group scorer Banimpire, whose full-sister joined the Johnston’s for €26,000 at the 2024 yearling sales.

Ghazali’s 220,000gns buy, Basalt, also rewarded connections with a generous return. Bought by Blandford Bloodstock from Katie Walsh Greenhills Farm at Arqana last year for €60,000, the Pinatubo colt went on to win a Newcastle novice race in good style, before placing at listed level. He was offered with a rating of 93 after finishing fifth on his most recent start in the Golden Gate Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Shaquille aces test

Ace Stud was a new name to emerge on the day, purchasing three fillies totalling 645,000gns. Paul Curran, European representative for Zhang Yuesheng’s Yulong Investments, explained that it is part of a rebrand of Dullingham Park Stud, which was bought from Steve Parkin in March.

“We have the two stallions on the farm, Shaquille and Soldier's Call,” Curran said. “We are keen to support the stallions, particularly Shaquille and to improve the quality of his book for next year. We have had a good level of support from breeders and we want to build on that.”

At 375,000gns, Ace Stud’s most expensive recruit on Wednesday was Karl Burke’s offering Regal Agenda, a Pinatubo half-sister to two group winners. Placed last season, the now three-year-old is out of Lancashire Oaks heroine Emirates Queen, herself a half-sister to the great Dubawi.

“Regal Agenda fits the bill and it is a good start,” Curran commented. “She was one that we really wanted, and we are happy.”

Those who supported Shaquille in his first seasons will be happy to hear that Yulong will be active at the foal and mare sales, with Curran saying: “Shaquille got 130 mares this year, which was really good, and we want to improve on that again.

“We are pleased with the foals, and we will support his foals at the December Sale. There will be plenty of quality mares to come in December, and we will be buying then, too.”