Vadamos Colt Tops Goffs UK January Sale

Vadamos enjoyed a perfect start to the 2024 sales season when his sole offering at the Goffs UK January Sale topped trade at £68,000.

Little Lodge Farm offered the top lot, a May-born colt out of the black-type performer and producer Banjaxed Girl. Rathmore’s Peter Molony made a strong bid to secure the bay weanling, but eventually admitted defeat to Tom Howley of Brook Lodge Farm.

The County Galway-based buyer later commented, “He was my pick of the sale. He has a fantastic pedigree, he’s out of a very good dam and I’m a big fan of the sire. I’ve bought a couple of foals by Vadamos and I think he has a good chance of being a successful jumps sire.”

The sales topper hails from Vadamos’ second crop since moving to Grange Stud, while his first jumps-bred foals sold for up to €64,000. His first crops have made a bright start in the national hunt sphere, with top performers including the twice Grade 1 placed King Of Kingsfield and Grade 2 second Matata.

His current four-year-olds include Valadon (4g Vadamos – Art Festival, by New Approach), who recorded back-to-back hurdle wins at Newbury that same afternoon.

Harry Fry’s charge finished second on debut to Salver, who went on to impress in a Grade 2 next time out, while Valadon went one better on the next attempt. He was sent off favourite to defy a penalty on Tuesday and led the field from the second last. Challenged soon after, he kept on well when ridden and prevailed by three parts of a length on the line, with another 12 lengths back to the third.

Valadon was bred by Tally-Ho Stud.