THE dispersal of racing and breeding stock owned by South African businessman Markus Jooste continued today when four mares which he shared with the Coolmore partners were sold at the Tattersalls February Sale.

One of the wealthiest people in South Africa just a couple of years ago, Jooste has seen his personal wealth plummet following an accountancy scandal which prompted a collapse in the share price of Steinhoff International, the company he headed.

Today's dispersal was headed by the sale of Smoulder for 550,000gns, a record for this sale.

A half-sister to classic winner Legatissimo by Redoute's Choice, Smoulder won a Dundalk maiden last May when trained by Aidan O'Brien. It proved the sole success from 12 starts for the filly.

At Tattersalls she was knocked down to Lordship Stud’s Tom Harris for 550,000gns. Underbidders on the four-year-old filly included Bertrand Le Metayer, Stephen Hillen and Chris Richardson.

Harris said: "We loved her as a yearling, but could not afford her then. She is a stand-out today and we are delighted that we have had the chance to buy her. We tried to buy through autumn and did not, so it has come full circle. We have some ideas for covering stallions, but have no set plans."

Smoulder is out of the Montjeu mare Yummy Mummy, a half-sister to the five-time Group 1 winner Fame And Glory.

GALILEO LISTED WINNER

Jooste also had a share in listed winner Key To My Heart, who was knocked down to BBA Ireland’s Eamonn Reilly for 525,000gns.

The daughter of Galileo out of the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes winner A Z Warrior was secured by Reilly for 525,000gns after he saw off Cathy Grassick, who was accompanying owner-breeder Yvonne Jacques.

"She is for a US client," said Reilly. "There is plenty in the pedigree for the US and Galileo fillies are hard to get."

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Key To My Heart was a two-time winner at three, including once at listed level in the Naas Oaks Trial.

The third highest price of the four fillies to race for the Coolmore/Jooste partnership was Pocketfullofdreams who sold for 475,000gns to the bid of Stephen Hillen. Listed placed in the Lingfield Oaks Trial, the daughter of Invincible Spirit is a half-sister to the Group 2 Prix de Royallieu winner The Juliet Rose.

The fourth of the Coolmore/Jooste fillies to be offered was Longing, the Galileo half-sister to Group 3 winner Ladys First, who was purchased by Cormac McCormack for 220,000gns.

BALLYMACOLL'S FINAL SALE

Smoulder's price, a record for this sale, was equalled earlier in the day by Thetis who was offered as the final part of the Ballymacoll Stud Dispersal after missing her December Sale date.

The Group 2 Rockfel Stakes runner-up is a half-sister to the Group 3 Musidora Stakes winner Liber Nauticus and was offered with her recently-born Lope De Vega filly foal at foot.

The daughter of Invincible Spirit got the attention of many but it was John McCormack who secured the five-year-old for 550,000gns at the expense of agent Stephen Hillen.

Following his purchase McCormack commented; “She is for an existing client and will remain in Europe to be bred - there are plenty of very good stallions to breed to. She is a lovely mare, very pretty, and the foal is very encouraging. She is from one of the best families at Ballymacoll.

"I think that Peter Reynolds will go down in history as one of the best stud masters ever and, with Sir Michael Stoute, the pair formed a formidable team - they produced fantastic results with small numbers."

Turnover on the day was just shy of four million guineas for the 145 lots sold, at an average of 27,536gns and a median of 5,500gns.

The Tattersalls February Sale continues at 10am on Friday when the exciting three-year-old Willie John is set to be one of the stars of the show

FULL SALE REPORT IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND