JAMES Wigan’s London Thoroughbred Services was acting for George Strawbridge when, at the 2019 Tattersalls December Sale, they purchased eight-time winner Thistle Bird for 750,000gns.

The top two lots in The Castlebridge Consignment draft were offered as part of a complete dispersal of Waddesdon Stud, following the death of Lady Rothschild. Thistle Bird was sold in foal to Kingman (Invincible Spirit). Trained by Roger Charlton, the daughter of Selkirk (Sharpen Up) ended her racing career with victory in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

Wigan also purchased the first from the draft, the Shamardal mare Aflame, in foal Havana Gold, and that three-time winning daughter of Magical Romance cost 675,000gns. “Aflame has been purchased for Erdenheim Farm, and Thistle Bird for George Strawbridge,” said a clearly emotional Wigan in the aftermath of the sale, as the agent was formerly the bloodstock advisor to Lady Rothschild.

Lady Rothschild died in January 2019 and Wigan added: “It is the end of an era and it is sad.” Lady Rothschild raced Nathaniel, whose highlights on the track were his Group 1 victories in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Eclipse Stakes.

At the time of her sale Thistle Bird’s first foal, Thorn (Dansili), had won at two and was her only runner. Now she is dam of five winners, her first five foals, and the Kingman she was carrying, Epictetus, won on his debut at Newmarket for George Strawbridge, trained by John and Thady Gosden. He is a horse who will improve and is one to watch for the latter part of the season.

Maybe this is the start of a new era.