Blackbeard’s €2.6 million sister aims to create her own headlines in Yarmouth maiden race after sales saga

Run Away was purchased for €2.6 million at the Goffs Orby Sale. She is the sister of Blackbeard, who won six of his eight outings as a juvenile in 2022 for Coolmore and Aidan O’Brien, including the Group 1 Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes. Run Away has ended up in the ownership of David Howden, Qatar Racing, and Monceaux at the Andrew Balding yard. She didn’t race as a juvenile, making this fillies’ maiden at Yarmouth highly intriguing.

Muirin, by Born To Sea out of a Pivotal mare, was sold for €210,000 to the Broadhurst Agency at the Goffs November Sale. Run Away was bred by Newstead Breeding, as was Blackbeard, who was a relative snip at 270,000gns. On the seven-figure price, it was noted that it was at the top of expectations but there was excitement surrounding the purchase. Run Away got only one shot in the sales ring and was described as a “beautiful-looking filly.”

Cat Ninja was bred by Hyde Park Stud and sold for 350,000gns at Book 1 in 2022. Running Spirit, bred by John Hayes, was picked up for €280,000 at the same sale. There is a further link as her owner, David Howden, is part-owner of her big-money opponent at Yarmouth. The presence of these horses has made the maiden race highly intriguing for Flat fans on a Tuesday afternoon.