€72,000, €70,000 etc for Soldier Of Fortune foals

Soldier Of Fortune’s first Irish-sired crop were in big demand at this week’s Tattersalls Ireland November Sale. Heading the way was a €72,000 colt from the family of Afsoun and Balthazar King bred by Paddy Kennedy and offered from Mountain View Stud. Timmy O’Byrne had the successful bid and commented: “He was a very nice horse, a good walking sort and by a very good, proven sire. I am not sure yet whether he will come back for sale as a three-year-old.” A Soldier Of Fortune filly from a distinguished French family realised €70,000 when offered by Ballyhampshire Stud for breeder Cyrus Buttimer. Vanessa Teehan-Ruzier of Charel Bloodstock landed the filly. "She is from a beautiful French family and my clients wanted to buy a filly and get into a good family but it has been very difficult to buy a nice filly. She will go to France where they will race her and then breed from her afterwards" commented Teehan-Ruzier. Ross Doyle was another Soldier Of Fortune fan, paying €50,000 for a colt out of black-type performer Oligarch Society, offered for breeder John Lightfoot from Mill House Stud. "He is an exceptional individual from a great family, the half-brother (Brahma Bull) is unbeaten in four starts and looks like a very good horse so fingers crossed he can go on and win black-type," said Doyle. "Soldier Of Fortune is a sire I like and this is the second foal I've bought by him today, as well as a Milan colt. All three have been bought for resale." Other prices for Soldier Of Fortune foals included €55,000 (Aiden Murphy), €40,000 (Kieran Shields), €36,000 (Minch Bloodstock), €34,000 (Rathmore Stud/Inch Bloodstock), €34,000 (Springhill Stud) etc.