Europe’s most select sale, the Tattersalls Houghton Sale takes place on the 2nd and 3^rd of October and the catalogue, which is out now on the Tattersalls website looks as strong as ever. Most of the leading European sires are represented and the stallions with their first yearlings on sale include the great Daylami, champion Stravinsky and the brilliant two year old Fasliyev.  

Sadler’s Wells is having his usual superb season and following the exploits of Islington, High Chaparral and Gossamer, the best sire in Europe is bound to be as popular as ever. The pick on paper looks to be the filly out of Alidiva, a three parts sister to new South African sire Anytime. She is also a half sister to Group 1 winners Ali-Royal, Sleepytime (also represented on the sale) and Taipan. This is one of the best families in the stud book. Other highlights include the three parts sister to Fort Wood and Dance of Leaves (dam of successful young sires Medaaly and Charnwood Forest), the filly out of Group 1 placed Dazzling Park (bred on the outstanding Sadler’s Wells-Warning cross), the first foal of Prix de la Foret winner Field of Hope - a colt, and the half siblings to Group 1 winners Wannabe Grand, Sunspangled, Matiya and Beckett.  

Sadler’s Wells best sire son is In The Wings, who is represented by four lots - all colts. The pick is the full brother to Central Park and Mellow Park.  

In The Wings’s outstanding son, Singspiel, has made an excellent start to his stud career and is also represented by four lots. The full sister to Epsom Derby third Moon Ballad looks to be the pick.

Danehill has had another excellent season and is the only challenge to stablemate Sadler’s Wells’ champion sire crown. Classic winners Rock of Gibraltar and Landseer have led the way for the 16 year old son of Danzig this season. His colt out of 1000 Guineas heroine Sleepytime looks to be one of the sales’ highlights. Another star attraction looks to be the half sister to the Group 1 winners Sagamix and Sagacity, whilst the filly out of Zavaleta is bred on similar lines to champion Banks Hill. Another daughter, a half sister to Group 3 winner Scribe, is out of a half sister to Grade 1 winner Annoconnor and Melbourne Cup star At Talaq. Solar Crystal won the May Hill Stakes and her dam Crystal Spray is one of the most successful broodmares of this sale. This is the outstanding Queen of Light family.  

Grand Lodge, who also stands at Coolmore, has proven to be one of the more successful and versatile sires around. He is represented this year by the talented but temperamental Grandera and the smart Summitville. His pick looks to be the half brother to dual Ascot Gold Cup winner Royal Rebel and the filly out of Sidama. She is a close relation to his best son, the mighty Sinndar.  

Rainbow Quest has long been established as one of Britain’s best sires. His sons Spectrum and Quest For Fame are both successful young sires. Rainbow Quest is represented by the smart Systematic this season.

The colt out of Cloelia is from the family of Bosra Sham (dam of impressive debut winner Shami - to Rainbow Quest), Act One and Lammtarra. Another colt is out of Oaks second Dance A Dream (full sister to English 2000 hero, Entrepreneur) from the family of Hyperion and Sir Tristram. His daughter of Irish Oaks third Silver Lane is a half sister to Japanese star, Black Hawk whilst his daughter of Up Anchor is a half sister to Group winner Red Sea.  

Machiavellian is the best sire son of Mr Prospector in Europe. The Dalham Hall resident is having another solid season with the brilliant Street Cry his star runner. His colt out of classic placed Bella Colora will be sought after, with the second dam being blue hen mare, Reprocolor. His colt out of Fair of the Furze - a half brother to classic winners Fair Question and White Muzzle will be popular as he is also a close relative of Almutawakel and Muwakleh. He has a colt out of classic placed Kithanga, thus a half brother to the injured St Leger winner Milan. He also has colts out of the highclass Nashwan mares, Mistle Song and One So Wonderful.  

Nashwan himself, sadly died this year shortly after his half brother Unfuwain. Both brothers are represented by well bred yearlings. Nashwan’s choicely bred colt out of Prix de la Foret winner Brocade, a half brother to classic winners Barathea and Gossamer promises to be much sought after. He also has a half sister to Sun Chariot winner Kissogram, out of a daughter of Group 1 Milligram. Another daughter of Prix Vermeille runner up Cloud Castle, is equally well bred as her dam is a half sister to Derby Italiano winner Luso and St James Palace runner up Needle Gun.  

Unfuwain has the classy Shadow Dancing this season and his son Alhaarth is one of the more exciting young sires around. He is also doing well as a broodmare sire, with Italian Oaks winner Guadalupe a granddaughter. His full brother to champion Petrushka is one of the highlights, as is the half brother to French 2000 Guineas and promising sire, Victory Note. His half brother to classy Danehurst is from one of the best families in the American stud book.

Several of the leading American sires represented by yearlings include the likes of Storm Cat, Seeking The Gold, Diesis, Kingmambo, Danzig, Kris S, Rahy and Woodman.  

Storm Cat is the most expensive sire in the world and has had five juvenile stakes winners in Europe this year as well as being the sire of Group 1 winner Sophisticat and the unbeaten North American youngster, Storm Flag Flying. He has a colt out of the classic placed Mousse Glacee, by the up and coming broodmare sire Mtoto.  

Seeking The Gold has been very popular in Europe following the deeds of Dubai Millennium and is represented by three choicely bred yearlings. His colt out the Breeders Cup runner up Coretta is possibly the pick, the dam being a out of stakes winning half sister to Barathea and Gossamer. The filly out of Ribblesdale winner Fairy Queen and the half sister to Fillies Mile winner Teggiano comprise the remainder of his lots.  

Diesis is a consistent sire who has excelled in Europe as a sire and broodmare sire. He has four lots, including a colt out of classic placed Delilah.

Kingmambo has had another good year and is firmly established as an outstanding sire on both sides of the Atlantic. His daughter Russian Rhythm is favourite for next year’s English 1000 Guineas. He has four lots here, including a colt out of stakes winning Danzig Darling. He is bred on similar lines to Grade 1 winner Voodoo Dancer. His colt out of Mempari, comes from the family of Blushing Groom and his colt out of Grade 3 winner Under Oath is a half brother to graded stakes placed Swear By Dixie.

Danzig has long been established as one of the best sires in history. He is getting on and is represented by a single lot, a full brother to Group 3 winner Black Rock Desert. The dam, City Dance, is herself a full sister to millionaire and successful sire Slew City Slew.  

Other notable lots in the sale include a half brother to Kayf Tara and Opera House by Mark of Esteem, a half brother to the high class Golden Apples,who is by Mujadil, a half brother by leading sire Selkirk to dual Champion Stakes winner Albaroda ,the first foal, a colt, out of English 1000 Guineas runner up Wannabe Grand-the colt is by champion Stravinsky and a full brother to Summoner and a half brother to Compton Admiral by Inchinor.  

The catalogue is packed with quality and there should be fireworks by the time this sale starts.