At the Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale in Doncaster on Wednesday, those who offered the right article were almost always rewarded with a sizable return, though pinhooking profit is never guaranteed. Some of them are more important than others.
Jason Kelly versus Anthony Stroud was the day's biggest bout. The winner of last week's Tattersalls Craven Sale was Stroud, as was usually the case, a bid of £420,000 was needed to tip the gavel.
Derryconnor Stud's Havana Grey filly, who shares the upper reaches of her page with champion two-year-old City Of Troy, ignited the record-breaking sales duel. Her performance during Tuesday's pre-sale workouts, where the child clocked inside the top five times for the day, was an even more significant piece of evidence.
“This filly did a very good breeze and we liked the way she went,” said Stroud. “She's a nice, well-balanced filly and we thought she was one of the nicest fillies in the sale. She’s been bought for KHK Racing but no trainer has been decided yet.”
With good reason, Stroud has become one of Havana Grey's biggest supporters, having helped unearth the stallion's undefeated, two-time Group 1 winner Vandeek.