Easy to Thrill leads way in Tattersalls July opener

There were four six-figure lots at Tuesday's opening installment of the

Tattersalls July Sale in Newmarket, headed by the unraced three-year-old EASY TO

THRILL (Soviet Star) at 250,000gns, the top-priced filly ever to change hands at

the mixed auction. Co. Kildare agent Bobby O'Ryan, acting for an undisclosed

Dublin businessman, bought the filly, who was offered by The Castlebridge

Consignment. BBA Ireland agent Michael Donohoe. Irish breeder Joe

Joyce was the underbidder.

"She's going back to Ireland and I think it's doubtful that she will race,"

said O'Ryan. "It's a fabulous family and has been bought for a client who

already has a few mares."

Donohoe's BBA Ireland's colleague Eamonn Reilly paid 170,000gns to outbid

Glenview House Stud owner Steven Harris for WATER FEATURE (Dansili [GB]), a

four-year-old half-sister to Grand Criterium (Fr-G1) winner Tenby, covered by

Hurricane Run (Ire). The mare was bought to join Hertfordshire-based Laundry

Cottage Stud.

"We started up four years ago and have 10 mares here and three in America,

including a half-sister to Astronomer Royal (Ire)," said Colin Bryce, who owns

the stud with wife Melba.

Unraced Juddmonte-bred three-year-old JIG TIME (Sadler's Wells), offered from

David Wachman's Longfield Stables, was bought for 140,000gns for Australian

owner Paul Makin by Grant Pritchard-Gordon of Badgers Bloodstock. French agent

Marc-Antoine Berghgracht was underbidder.

"She could either go to Australia and be covered by Starcraft or stay up here

and be an investment mare, in which case she's likely to go to Danehill Dancer,"

said Pritchard-Gordon, who served as Juddmonte racing manager for 17 years up to

1999. "It's a family I know all about and these Juddmonte mares have a lot going

for them. I know full well what can come out of them."

Rome-based agent Federico Barberini spent 105,000gns near the close of play

to outbid Blandford Bloodstock's Tom Goff, seated with Sir Eric Parker, to get

MAIL EXPRESS (Cape Cross [Ire]), a winning half-sister to Italian Group 1 winner

Le Vie Dei Colori, covered by King's Best.

"She's been bought for Le Vie Dei Colori's breeders Paolo and Emma Agostini

and will go to Ireland now," said Barberini.

The sale continues on Wednesday. For catalog and complete results, visit

www.tattersalls.com.