Sands Of Mali, one of Europe’s most promising stallions and sire of Group 1 Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals, who has been standing at Ballyhane Stud since 2021, has been sold to Yeomanstown Stud in Naas.

The horse had been standing at Ballyhane for five seasons but his ownership was in dispute following a breakdown in the business relationship between Ballyhane's Joe Foley and racehorse owner-breeder Steve Parkin.

Both parties agreed to allow Tattersalls Ireland sell the horse through of process of private bids which began last Friday and concluded on Tuesday. Although no details of the bidders or bids were made public it is believed that as many as seven prominent stallion farms tendered bids before Gay O'Callaghan's Yeomanstown succeeded.

He will stand alongside last year’s champion sire Dark Angel, Group 1 July Cup winner Mill Stream, and promising young sire Supremacy.

Yeomanstown's David O’Callaghan said: "Sands Of Mali is the perfect fit to bolster our already strong team of stallions. He was a highly touted breeze-up horse that proved himself on the track, winning the Group 2 Gimcrack at two and the following year landed the Group 2 Sandy Lane and Group 3 Prix Sigy before his crowning moment in the Group 1 British Champion Sprint at Ascot and gaining a Timeform rating of 120.

"He breeds lovely horses who want to run and win, with 47% winners to runners, including five stakes winner and seven stakes performers, most notably Time For Sandals, and Group 1 Nunthorpe runner-up Ain’t Nobody and Aviation Time, who were first and third in the Windsor Castle respectively.

"His stock are proving popular in the sales ring too, with his yearlings making up to 220,000gns this year and averaging over €65,000. The fact that Sands Of Mali is a total outcross is very appealing to us, like Dark Angel was when we got him, and we feel he will work with any mare and will especially compliment many of our own broodmare band."

Sands Of Mali will stand at a fee of €22,500 in 2026. His fee was private when at Ballyhane this year though he started his career at €6,500 and was €5,000 between 2022 and 2024.

Dark Angel remains the star of the show at Yeomanstown. His fee has been reduced by 25% to €45,000 for next year. Mill Stream gets a 20% reduction for his second season, and Supremacy will be available for €5,000.

Commenting on the sale of Sands Of Mali, Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said: "We were delighted to be approached by both parties, and afforded the opportunity to oversee the sealed bids process. We were pleased that the process ran smoothly, and we would like to wish all connections the best of luck in the future."

YEOMANSTOWN FEES FOR 2026

Stallion 2026 (2025)

Dark Angel €45,000 (€60,000)

Sands Of Mali €22,500 (New)

Mill Stream €10,000 (€12,500)

Supremacy €5,000 (€8,000)