The Hong Kong Jockey Club purchased six eye-catching youngsters out of Books 1 and 2 at the recent Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in Newmarket, Great Britain for a total outlay of 2.43 million guineas (approx. HK$22.34 million).

First to fall the Club’s way was Lot 10, a bay colt by Starspangledbanner who is one of two purchases headed for Hong Kong – along with Lot 1008 – by the four-time Group 1 winning sire. Champion Sprinter of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres over a decade ago, Starspangledbanner is front and centre at present in Hong Kong with the exploits of California Spangle who recently sauntered to an arrogant first-up win in the 2022 G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) last month.

Lot 1008 is a full brother to the Group 3-placed Breege, who finished fifth at Group 1 level earlier this month at Longchamp as a two-year-old at only her fifth appearance.

Lot 249 is an impeccably bred son of Invincible Spirit out of the Group 1-winning mare Teppal, who won a high-class 2018 G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (1600m) at Longchamp. She has one other foal in training in France, while Invincible Spirit is proven in Hong Kong with over 50 wins from his progeny, ranging from 1000m to 1800m.

Lot 269 is a son of 2014 G1 Epsom Derby (2420m) winner Australia – who in Hong Kong – has had one win from one runner. Abroad, he’s sired Group 1 winners in Great Britain, France and the United States.

A bay colt by Sea The Stars, Lot 532 is one of two to fall the Club’s way for 600,000 guineas. Among his sire’s progeny is the extraordinary Baaeed, Stradivarius, Sea Of Class, Crystal Ocean and Harzand, while the mare, Hunaina, was a winner at Group 3 level in France.

Lot 878 is by Dark Angel – who in Hong Kong – has been a proven source of winners with 44 wins from 15 individual horses.  

Purchase details

Lot 10 b c Starspangledbanner ex Keep Dancing (Distant Music) – 220,000 guineas (approx. HK$2,023,000)

Lot 249 b c Invincible Spirit ex Teppal (Camacho) – 600,000 guineas (approx. HK$5,517,000)

Lot 269 b c Australia ex Ultra Appeal (Lawman) – 280,000 guineas (approx. HK$2,575,000)

Lot 532 b c Sea The Stars ex Hunaina (Tamayuz) – 600,000 guineas (approx. HK$5,517,000)

Lot 878 b c Dark Angel ex Silent Moment (Giant’s Causeway) – 180,000 guineas (approx. HK$1,655,000)

Lot 1008 b c Starspangledbanner ex Wowcha (Zoffany) – 550,000 guineas (approx. HK$5,057,000)