Two new stallions, a superstar visit and weekend winners for Kayf Tara and Schiaparelli.
It’s been a busy time at Overbury Stud. Not only have we welcomed our new stallions Ardad and Jack Hobbs, but we’ve also enjoyed a visit from their former jockey Frankie Dettori, who is also familiar with two of our old favourites, having won an Ascot Gold Cup on Kayf Tara and the G1 Gran Premio del Jockey Club on Schiaparelli.
On the track the jumpers are back in full cry and Kayf Tara featured on Cheltenham’s big weekend when his son North Hill Harvey was the wide-margin winner of the Grade 2 Racing Post Arkle Trial Trophy in the hands of Harry Skelton for his trainer brother Dan.
Bred by Eric Cantillon from the Robellino mare Ellina, the six-year-old has now won four of his ten starts and is unbeaten this season in two appearances at Cheltenham.
Schiaparannie, a first-crop daughter of Schiaparelli, looks to be a mare with a promising future following her two-and-a-half-length win at Wetherby on her hurdles debut on Saturday. Trained by Malcolm Jefferson and bred by RG and VJ Makin, the five-year-old won a Hexham bumper in May and has also twice been placed in bumpers in just five starts.
Schiaparannie is another dual winner for her sire this season after Whatmore, who has won his last two starts over hurdles for Henry Daly at Aintree and Bangor.
At the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale last week, young stock by Kayf Tara continued to be in demand. Fourteen of his foals and yearlings sold for an average of €39,943, with Aiden Murphy giving the top price of €77,000 for a colt from Little Lodge Farm’s unraced Presenting mare Isabello from the family of the high-class eight-time winner Banjaxed Girl.
Former Gold Cup-winning trainer Henrietta Knight was also in action at Fairyhouse and bid €66,000 for a colt foal out of Mariah’s Way (Shirocco).
