Frankel foal makes 675,000gns at Tattersalls December Sale

A subtle nod of the head from MV Magnier had profound consequences at Tattersalls today as Coolmore secured the Frankel brother to Royal Ascot winner Juan Elcano for 675,000gns.

Taken from the Racing Post, 27th November 2021 by James Thomas:

The Park Paddocks gangway filled up as the colt, bred by David and Trish Brown of Furnace Mill Stud, took to the ring, with live bidders joined by a host of onlookers sheltering from the torrential rain.

A host of agents and pinhookers chanced their arm as the youngster's price quickly rattled through the lower six figures, but from around the 500,000gns mark matters wrested between Magnier, stood at the back of the gangway with Paul Shanahan, and Juddmonte's Simon Mockridge, sat opposite the rostrum with the operation's Barry Mahon.

With the bid board at 550,000gns Magnier looked in auctioneer Ollie Fowlston's direction and mouthed a silent 'five seventy five'. Mockridge fired back immediately, as he did again at 625,000gns, but when Magnier indicated the final 25,000gns raise the Juddmonte camp cried enough.

"He's a very nice horse who's very good looking and a brother to a good horse as well," said Magnier. "David and Trish Brown are very good breeders and we've known them a very long time so I'm delighted to be able to buy this horse from them. Sadly David couldn't be here today but hopefully he'll be happy with that result."

The colt is out of Whatami, a placed sister to James Garfield's dam Whazzat who was purchased by Furnace Mill for just 25,000gns in 2010. The daughter of Daylami has bred four successful sons and daughters, with Wolferton Stakes scorer Juan Elcano, himself a 360,000gns yearling, joined by Group 3 Hoppings Fillies' Stakes winner Nkosikazi.

An emotional Trish Brown said: "Fantastic, that's worth all the sleepless nights and trauma! He's been brilliant all the way through. He's a lovely horse with a great temperament and it's lovely to see him make so much money.

"We bought the mare here as a four-year-old from New England Stud – she's 15 now – and she's been a star. We had a good result with a yearling by Frankel that she bred and so decided to go back to him. We've had three horses by Frankel at home over the years and they all have the most wonderful temperaments.

"She's back in foal to Sea The Moon and we have a lovely two-year-old filly at home by Oasis Dream."

Champion sire elect Frankel has enjoyed a hugely productive 2021 season, with Derby and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Adayar heading a roll call of 20 Group/Grade 1 winners that also features the likes of Alpinista, Hurricane Lane, Inspiral and Snow Lantern.