COOLMORE Stud’s exciting stallion Wootton Bassett had just two yearlings catalogued in this week’s Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and the first to appear in the ring was snapped up by Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland for €82,000.

The first of them was a filly consigned by Norelands Stud out of the winning Dalakhani mare Aspasi and she is a granddaughter of Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes winner Insight.

“We are big fans of the sire, she is a lovely filly and a gorgeous physical,” Donohoe said. “She has been really well-produced by Norelands. The farm produces good horses, and we think she is good value.

“She has been bought for a Middle Eastern-based client who has been a lucky client of mine. She will stay in Ireland to be broken and will go on to be trained in Ireland, England or France,” he added. The other Wootton Bassett yearling in the sale, a filly from Baroda Stud, was not sold when bidding stopped at €95,000.

With Wootton Bassett carrying all before him it is no surprise to see the first crop of yearlings by his Group 1-winning son Wooded also proving popular in the sales ring.

John Foley’s Ballyvolane Stud, who has enjoyed significant success at this sale in the past, sold a son of Wooded to an online bid of €88,000 from Robson Aguiar.

It was a rewarding transaction for Foley who had bought the son of Orayda for €15,000 as a ‘short yearling’ in Goffs only seven months ago.

“I really wanted to buy one by the sire and I got him for €15,000 in February,” Foley said. “He was a good-moving foal, a bit weak, and I thought there was a chance he might grow into a nice horse. He has thrived, really thickened out, and most people who saw him said that he was one of the better physicals here and that he stood out a little bit. He has been very popular.

“This has been a lucky sale for us. We sold Sir Busker here and last year we sold a nice horse called Fast Society to Kennet Valley and he has run twice and won in September.”

Foley was also keen to deflect plenty of credit to his team, both at home and at the sales. “I have a very good team of three at home, they are all working hard. My head man Conor Ryan had a leg in this colt and he will be chuffed. They are all great people and they try their best every day.

“I also have had a great team here at the sale. With such good people here and at home it makes it much easier. We are trying to sell nice horses and it is great for all when it comes off.”