Soldier Hollow ex Shana Doyenne colt

Race entries

The Bargain of The Sales’ Season?

The BBAG yearling Sale in Germany has proven a happy hunting ground for MPR, having sourced numerous quality stayers over the years, including BUCKMAN TAVERN later sold on for £175,000, and BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS - purchased for €22,000 (syndicate declined an offer of £200,000) as a 3yo. It’s proven lucrative both on and off the track.

We’d asked ace Bloodstock Agent Jeremy Brummitt to act on our behalf at the sale, alongside our own bloodstock representatives Tom Palin & Katharina Irmer (Ger). A shortlist of 4 was drawn up with a rough budget of €50,000 in place. Jeremy valued this particular colt precisely in that middle market 50k territory. You can imagine our delight, nay amazement, given this stunning colt flew through the vetting process, when he was knocked down in our name for just €11,000. An absolute steal, we thought, as he is by no one less than the belated German Champion Sire Soldier Hollow, who produced the likes of four-time Gr.1 winner OUR IVANHOWE, and Gr.1 winner and 2017 Horse Of The Year DSCHINGIS SECRET, to name but a few. 

In speaking with William Butler, Sir Mark Prescott’s assistant and business partner, who was on-site himself, he was at pains to point out “Tim, it’s a crying shame out here, for the vendors, there are some lovely staying horses for sale, but there’s no one out here to buy them. The whole game seems to revolve around speed these days”.

Watch a video of the this quality, beautifully moving individual: 

The vendors’ loss is clearly our gain, our colt represents what we’d like to think is exceptional value i.e. given what staying horses, as 3-year-olds, can sell for to race abroad, or over jumps. It’s almost perverse, almost the opposite of the traditional M.O. of horse racing, where horses sell for a premium as yearlings and generally depreciate, over time.

Of course, the plan will be to have this colt lightly raced as a 2yo, building to a career crescendo through his 3yo runs, taking in, hopefully, top class staying races at all the major festivals. Of course, the option will be there, as his 3-year-old career progresses, to race on as a 4-year-old or, to sell at the end of 2026 - that’ll be a syndicate decision, of course, under the guidance of the wily Baronet, Sir Mark.

Renowned Bloodstock Agent Alex Elliott was quoted in the EBN ahead of the sale: "My eyes are alwyas drawn to Soldier Hollow's, as they have great resale value." 

Exceptional individual, exceptional value!