THE Tattersalls Online January Sale this week was topped by a stallion share in Zarak, one of Europe’s most exciting young stallions. It sold for 350,000gns to Blandford Bloodstock’s Tom Goff on behalf of Chasemore Farm. There has been intense interest in the stallion following the success of his progeny, including the Group 1 Prix de Diane-French Oaks second La Parisienne, and the group winners Purplepay, Sirjan, Baiykara, Lavello, and Lizaid.

Goff said: “Andrew and Jane Black have a number of mares that they would like to send to France to be covered by Zarak over the next few seasons so, after some discussion, the decision was to give it a go. The sire has done tremendously well so far. His statistics sit comfortably with Dubawi’s other successful sons Night Of Thunder and New Bay at the same stage.

I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he sires his first Group 1 winner.

“The fact that he is managed by Georges Rimaud at Haras de Bonneval is another massive plus for me personally. We have first-hand experience of their stallion syndicates; they are absolutely blue chip and exceptionally well managed.”

The second highest-priced lot was a breeding right in Whitsbury Manor Stud’s Havana Grey, and was secured by Heather Raw for 105,000gns. The stallion was the leading European first-crop sire in 2022 with 16% stakes performers to runners.

Breeding rights were also sold in other promising sires, including the National Stud’s Time Test secured by Web Bloodstock for 32,000gns, and in Harry Angel by Stephen Hillen for 30,000gns. The Tattersalls Online January Sale realised a turnover of 656,500gns and an average of 21,177gns. The sale attracted over 180 registered bidders from across Britain and Ireland, as well as the Middle East, France, Italy, Sweden and Germany.