European football entrepreneur Kia Joorabchian is far from a new name in the United Kingdom racing scene, but the Amo Racing principal went to an all-new level in an audacious 10.42 million guineas (A$21.266 million) spending spree at Tattersalls.
During an explosive opening session of Tatts’ October Yearling Sale, Amo Racing founder Joorabchian outlaid 4.4 million guineas (A$9 million) on Newsells Park Stud’s Frankel filly out of Group 2 winner Aljazzi only minutes later going to 2.5 million guineas (A$5.1 million) for the sister to 2022 Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe winner Alphinista who is also by Juddmonte’s champion sire.
In the process, Amo Racing outshone Godolphin, Coolmore and Yulong, dominant forces in bloodstock markets around the world.
Joorabchian is an influential figure in world soccer as a director of global football management company Sports Invest UK.
Yulong, the day’s third-biggest buyer behind Joorabchian and Godolphin, was also a beneficiary of Amo Racing’s enormous investment, having bought the Zhang Yuesheng-bred Frankel colt out of Atone, the sister to six-time Group 1 winner Midday, for 1.1 million guineas (A$2.244 million).
Coolmore’s MV Magnier underbid the Frankel colt who was consigned by Baroda Stud on behalf of Yulong.
“He is a homebred for Yulong, he has always been a lovely horse and was a lovely foal, I am delighted to be able to bring him here,” Baroda Stud’s David Cox said.
“He showed perfectly every day, he is a great mover, and is the image of his father. Coming here I was hoping he would make close to a million and it is great to go over that and to have Coolmore and Amo after him.”
Yulong paid 300,000 guineas for Atone at the 2022 Tattersalls December Mares Sale.
“Mr Zhang has been a great supporter, he is selling and buying here and this horse was always going to be offered,” Cox said.
“Yulong has a bunch of horses they are going to sell, a bunch to go into training, a bunch to go to Japan and some going to China, it is a worldwide operation and it is great to be involved."
Frankel has been a sire phenomenon in both hemispheres, with 18 of his 94 progeny to race in Australia winning stakes races, including the Yulong-bred and raced Group 1 winner Hungry Heart as well as top-level scorers Converge and Mirage Dancer.
A fantastic result for @BarodaStudIre and @YulongInvest as their Frankel colt out of an own sister to the multiple Gr.1 winner Midday fetched 1.1m gns from @amoracingltd at #TattsOctober Book 1. pic.twitter.com/1CTWiO6ang
— Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) October 8, 2024
Yulong bought five yearlings on day one, the highest-priced horse being a Stratford Place Stud-bred 750,000 guineas daughter of Frankel out of dual European Group 1 winner Wonderful Tonight.
Turbo-charged by Amo Racing’s quest for elite horses, Tuesday’s session generated 42.68 million guineas, a jump of 39 per cent year on year, while the average of 364,786 guineas was also up 48 per cent.
Godolphin bought two yearlings on day one, headed by a No Nay Never half-brother to Group 2-winning juvenile Iberian for 2.2 million guineas, while MV Magnier and White Birch Farm signed for five yearlings in partnership. The Hong Kong Jockey Club was also active on day one, buying a Mehmas colt for 380,000 guineas.
