BLOODSTOCK SALES: Hamdan Al Maktoum beat off a determined challenge from Coolmore's John Magnier to secure a Kingmambo colt for €1.8 million, the highest price the Kill arena has seen for four years.
Sheikh Mohammed's decision to boycott the progeny by Coolmore stallions has added an extra spice to the Goffs Orby Sales, but with Kingmambo standing at neither Coolmore nor Darley, but at Lane's End in Kentucky, this colt was fair game for the Maktoum family and the Coolmore boss.
Sheikh Hamdan said after the epic bidding battle: "This is a very good-looking colt and he is highly bred. I also think he is one of the best horses we have seen this week and hopefully he has a good heart."
Top Prices
b c Kingmambo-Karsavina (Sadler's Wells) Buyer: Shadwell Est Co Ltd €1,800,000.
b c Danehill Dancer-Mala Mala (Brief Truce) Demi O'Byrne a420,000.
gr c Sadler's Wells-Lunafairy (Always Fair) George Rimaud a400,000.
ch c Indian Ridge-Kyka (Blushing John) John Ferguson a360,000.
ch f Danehill Dancer-Flood (Riverman) Tom Taaffe €325,000.
b c Fantastic Light-For Example (Northern Baby) John Ferguson €300,000.
b f Green Desert-Indaba (Indian Ridge) Walter Swinburn a280,000.
ch f Indian Ridge-Just Special (Cadeaux Genereux) Ballylinch Stud €260,000.
f Red Ransom-Lady Angharad (Tenby) John Ferguson €260,000.
c Rock Of Gibraltar-Hula Angel (Woodman) Demi O'Byrne a250,000.
RACING: The Breeders' Cup Turf at Belmont Park next month is set to be Azamour's last race before beginning a stud career in Ireland in 2006, writes Brian O'Connor.
The Aga Khan-owned colt, winner this year of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, and last season of the Irish Champion Stakes, will stand at Gilltown Stud in Co Kildare.
"I might not train another one like him again. Azamour is a type you come across very rarely," said his trainer, John Oxx, who is preparing the colt for the Breeders' Cup after missing the Arc through injury.
HOCKEY: Ireland have moved up two places from 23rd to 21st in the world rankings following their success in Rome at the European Championship Trophy two weeks ago, writes Johnny Watterson.
In winning the eight-team tournament, Ireland move above Scotland, Wales and the team they beat in the final of the Italian competition, Czech Republic. In addition, Ireland's ranking in Europe has significantly improved. The side have moved from ninth to seventh, which ensures a place among the best teams in Europe at the next European Championships, which will possibly be held in Manchester.
The rankings are important in gaining entry to World Cup and Olympic qualifying events. Ireland have put in a bid to play host to one of the Olympic qualifying tournaments for the Beijing Games, but following an International Hockey Federation meeting in Chile this week, some confusion now surrounds how many qualifiers are to be played and how many teams will be involved in each one.
