The Hong Kong Jockey Club purchased two colts out of the recent Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book 2) in Newmarket, England for a total of 725,000 guineas (approximately HK$7.3 million).

The first of the two to catch the eye was a youngster with a fine background and strong Hong Kong connection, and he was bought for 425,000 guineas. Lot 910 is by Archipenko out of the winning mare Desert Berry, making him a full-brother to last season’s G3 Premier Cup Handicap victor Flying Thunder.

The athletic bay traces to a top-class Juddmonte family that has produced G1 winners Proviso and Byword, as well as Finche, a G2 winner in Europe and G1-placed in Australia this season.

Lot 975 is an Acclamation colt out of juvenile winner Folk Melody and the Club went to 300,000 guineas to secure the purchase. The bay’s second dam is the top-class Folk Opera, winner of the G1 E.P. Taylor Stakes in North America as well as the G2 Prix Jean Romanet in France, while the family has also produced South American G1 winner Mr Bailetti and French champion juvenile filly Proportional.

Purchase details

Lot 910 b c Archipenko ex Desert Berry (Green Desert) 425,000 guineas (approx. HK$4,301,000)

Lot 975 b c Acclamation ex Folk Melody (Street Cry) 300,000 guineas (approx. HK$3,036,000)