Munnings Colt Tops First Tattersalls Craven Session

A Munnings juvenile was the first session topper and fourth most expensive offering overall at this week’s Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale when Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock went to 360,000gns ($467,855) to secure the colt.

Offered by Longways Stables, the colt is a half-brother to Uncle Mo’s stakes winner and Grade II-placed Hendy Woods out of the Grade III winner Separate Forest. Bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, the colt was a $150,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase last year by Longways from Eaton Sales.

"He is a very taking horse, Roger [Varian] was keen on him and so was I,” said St Lawrence. “He looks like a type who could get to Royal Ascot. We have had luck with Munnings before with Shahama, who did well in Dubai and then went to the US."

Born on March 30, he is a grandson of Grade I winner Separata, who also produced multiple graded stakes winner Indiano and Grade III-placed Quite the Lady from her five runners.

“He was very popular, we had a lot of the right people on him,” said consignor Mick Murphy. “I was very hopeful, but you never know. I bought him in the US and we bought him to come to the Craven, we thought he'd suit this sale. He is a horse who wants good ground and he breezed exceptionally well considering the conditions. He is a quick horse and a lot of people said he is very similar to [Munnings’] Jack Christopher."

A three-time Grade I winner, Jack Christopher now stands at Ashford alongside his sire.

One of the top sires in the U.S., Munnings has had major successes at this year’s juvenile sales. Led by a $1 million filly, his other juveniles have brought $685,000, $467,855, $305,000, etc.