ENGLISH VERSION
an outstanding clearance rate of 88 %, higher than any other breeze-up sale to be conducted in 2026 so far – one of many achievements. Turnover, average and median figures all broke previous records, with nine horses selling for 200,000 euros or more. A filly and a colt shared top Lot honours at 360,000 euros, both by second-season stallions who have proven offspring on the track. The grey filly by Starman was urchased by Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock, who said:“ It slightly surprised me that we were pushed that far, but she is the one filly who really got my imagination going. Certain horses really capture your attention, and she was one of them from the moment I saw her in the pre-breeze.“ She is a lovely filly— hard to miss because of her colour and those lovely big ears. She is a quality filly, has a massive stride, comes from great vendors and breeders, Starman is going from strength to strength and the Tally-Ho stallion machine is flying. Her owner is still to be decided, but Joseph O’ Brien will train her.” International buyers were busy throughout the oneday sale and the St. Mark’ s Basilica sales topper was purchased by Saudi Arabian Abdul Rahman Saeed Al Sayed.“ We liked his breeze, his pedigree is good, he is very good-looking horse,” he said.“ We will discuss with the new owner, but we might leave him in England to be trained, and we have many friends in Newmarket to choose from!”
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REPOR- TAGE
THE ORTIZ BROTHERS
It is a season always eagerly awaited on the other side of the Atlantic, particularly with its mythical Oaks and Kentucky Derby, two of the most important Group 1 races in the land of Uncle Sam. Fanny Hubart-Salmon had the pleasure of witnessing Golden Tempo ' s crowning and meeting those who made the headlines of spring 2026.
BY FANNY HUBERT-SALMON
1 year, 1 month and 21 days apart. The Ortiz brothers describe themselves as“ almost twins.” Born in Puerto Rico into a jockey family, they followed in the footsteps of their grandfather Irad, their uncle Ivan and their idol Angel Cordero Jr. Trained at the same school as John Velázquez, they began their careers at the island’ s only racecourse before leaving one year apart. This spring in Kentucky, Irad was the king of Keeneland. He topped the meeting standings with 22 winners, includ- ing two Group 1 victories. José, meanwhile, recorded a five-timer at Churchill Downs on May 1, including the Kentucky Oaks aboard Always A Runner for Chad Brown. The following day, he won the Kentucky Derby aboard Golden Tempo for Cherie Devaux. He finished ahead of his older brother, runner-up on Renegade and still searching for his first victory in America’ s most prestigious race. José became the ninth jockey to complete the Kentucky Oaks – Kentucky Derby double in the same year.
IRAD ORTIZ JR.
• Born: 11 / 08 / 1992( Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico)
• Moved to New York in spring 2011
• 5 Eclipse Awards( Outstanding Jockey: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023)
• 23 Breeders’ Cup victories
• Reached the milestone of 4,000 career wins at Keeneland on October 13, 2024
JOSÉ ORTIZ
• Born: 02 / 10 / 1993( Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico)
• Moved to Pennsylvania in spring 2012
• Leading North American jockey in 2016( by number of wins)
• 1 Eclipse Award( Outstanding Jockey: 2017)
• 6 Breeders’ Cup victories
• Reached the milestone of 3,000 career
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