Swettenham Stud shuttler Equiano (Fr) finished a productive Tattersalls December Mare Sale this week when Green Desert mare Regent’s Park made 42,000gns (AUD 82,450) at Newmarket.

She was sold in foal to Equiano on an April cover to leading agent David Redvers whose clients include Sheikh Fahad al Thani.  The Qatar Racing principal raced several first-crop Equiano two year-olds this year and supplied his first stakes winner with Dark Reckoning in the G3 Firth of Clyde Stakes.

Regent’s Park received a timely update when her two year-old filly Hassah won a Listowel maiden second time out by 7 lengths in September.  The Paul Deegan-trained daughter of Halling had been well-beaten on debut in the LR Flame Of Tara Stakes at the Curragh.

“People thought I was losing my marbles when I ran Hassah at the Curragh but it was too bad to be true and she barely broke out of a canter,” said Deegan.  “I think it was a case of stage-fright although the cheek-pieces certainly helped at Listowel.  She’s a very smart filly.”

Hassah is raced by the UAE Ambassador to Ireland, Khalid Nasser Rashid Lootah.

Earlier at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, an Equiano changed hands for 35,000gns (AUD 68,710).  His weanling filly from Majoune (Take Risks) was consigned by Newsells Park and was knocked down to agent Margaret O’Toole.

Majoune is the dam of four winners including German Group 3 winner Majounes Song (Singspiel).

O’Toole had spent AUD 65,910 for a first-crop Equiano – Fame Is The Spur weanling at the 2012 Tattersalls Foal Sale.  He was pin-hooked for AUD 118,360 at the 2013 Goffs Orby Yearling Sale and his value kept increasing when – racing as Lightning Stride – he won at Leicester in May for Sheikh Fahad al Thani.

Equiano kicked off the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale with a 50,000gns (AUD 97,685) colt from Impressible (Oasis Dream).  He is a younger brother to Dark Reckoning and was purchased by Rabbah Bloodstock which manages the racing interests of friends and business associates of Sheikh Mohammed.

Newsells Park will welcome Equiano back to England next month after his fourth southern book at Swettenham Stud.  “He has made a very promising start at stud with three Group performers already,” Newsells general manager Julian Dollar said.  “As one would expect from a horse who was at his best at three and five years old, his runners look like they are improving with time and showing encouraging signs for their classic year.”

HASSAH
Her dam was sold in foal to Equiano at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale