TEOFILO X CRYSTAL CAVES

 We are delighted to have secured this daughter of Teofilo at the Goffs Orby sale.

A May foal with plenty of developing still to do, she is a filly we believe has considerable improvement ahead of her—and we have bought her for less than her sire’s €30,000 advertised covering fee. That is a particularly appealing starting point for a filly with her pedigree and potential. 

Teofilo is a world-class stallion with a remarkable record. An unbeaten European champion two-year-old himself, winning both the Dewhurst and National Stakes, he has gone on to sire 24 individual Group 1 winners. His progeny include outstanding international performers such as Nations Pride and Without A Fight, demonstrating his ability to produce horses capable of competing at the very highest level. His influence also extends through his daughters, with top-class sprinter Inisherin among his successes as a broodmare sire. For anyone buying a filly, that adds another attractive dimension to his credentials. 

Her dam, Crystal Caves, is a winning daughter of Almanzor. We see this mating as an appealing blend of quality and scope, with a pedigree that gives us plenty to look forward to as she matures. 

Being a May foal is an important part of her appeal. She is younger than many of the yearlings she stood alongside at the sales, and Nick believes there is plenty more to come physically. We are buying her with that development firmly in mind, looking ahead to the filly she can become as she strengthens through the winter.

She will join Paddy Twomey, whose achievements with top-class fillies include Group 1 victories with La Petite Coco and Pearls Galore. We feel his patient approach makes him an excellent fit for a filly with this much scope to progress. 

Paddy won the Goffs Million this year at the Curragh and he even had the second placed horse, landing a massive pot for the yard. We've ticked the box for this filly and we'll be hoping to land a €50,000 bonus before heading to the Curragh late in September.