By Brian Sheerin
Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony described the trade at the Autumn Horses in Training Sale as “extraordinary” as more records were broken in a week where the Mark Johnston-trained I'm A Gambler (Ire) (No Nay Never) was knocked down for a cool 850,000gns to American clients.
That was the top lot of a four-day sale that attracted buyers from all over the world, including on Thursday, when trade was not as strong but still managed to bring 80,000gns for John Butler's Al Shami (Ire) to Eoin Sullivan, buying on behalf of clients from Saudi Arabia.
Sullivan bought six horses this week for a total spend of 407,000gns on behalf of Saudi Arabian interests. Sooghan (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) topped the agent's list on Wednesday at 160,000gns but in Al Shami, a recent winner by Awtaad (Ire), he thinks he has a horse to do well in that jurisdiction.
Sullivan said, “He's for Saudi Arabia again and is a nice big strong horse who needs a bit of time but he will get it. What he's done so far for the physical that he is, he obviously has a level of ability there. We will take him along slowly and give him the time that he needs. We're happy enough to get him.”
He added, “We bought a mixture of horses for different connections. We're happy enough with the week. It wasn't easy but we got there.”
And the strength of that trade contributed to an astounding 36,164,500gns traded in the four days, representing a 15% rise on last year.
The average was up to 35,949gns from 31,377gns, which is also a 15% rise, while the median stayed the same at 16,000gns. The clearance rate was 90%, down 2% on 2021, with 107 of the total 1,113 lots offered going unsold.
Mahony commented, “It has been another extraordinary Tattersalls sale in a month which has seen the record books completely rewritten time after time. The unprecedented demand at all four books of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has been followed by unrelenting demand from start to finish at this week's Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale.
“Turnover has surpassed last year's record level by a considerable margin, the average has reached an unprecedented height, the median has equalled last year's record and the clearance rate has again been in excess of 90%, all of which points to a sale of genuine strength and depth at all levels of the market.
“This sale is a truly remarkable, unmatched anywhere else in the world and the sheer number and diversity of buyers here at Park Paddocks this week is a tribute not only to the quality of the stock on offer, but also to the high esteem in which British and Irish racing is held throughout the world.”
He added, “Owners and trainers from throughout Britain and Ireland and further afield have the utmost confidence that this unique fixture will annually provide them with an unrivalled marketplace and never has this been more evident than over the past four days.
“Swathes of overseas buyers from more than 30 different countries have as ever made a massive contribution and the domestic buyers, both Flat and National Hunt, have also been out in force.
“Particular mention must go to the huge contingent of buyers from throughout the Gulf region, spurred on by their burgeoning racing carnivals which have become such an important feature of the international racing calendar in recent years. Their contribution has been immense, and they have met determined competition, especially at the top of the market, from strong teams of buyers most notably from Australia and the USA.
“Yet again we have experienced a sale which has reinforced Newmarket's reputation as the hub of the European thoroughbred business and the success of this week's sale suggests that we can look forward to welcoming a similarly international cast of buyers to the Tattersalls December Foal and Breeding Stock Sale which annually showcases the very best of European bloodstock to a global audience.”
Wathnan Racing Tops Buyers List
Not many people would have been aware of Wathnan Racing ahead of the sale but the new Qatari-based ownership vehicle made a lasting impression by ending the week as leading buyers.
Headed by bloodstock agent Olly Tait, Wathnan Racing signed for nine horses for a total spend of 1,750,000gns across Monday and Tuesday, headed by 450,000gns purchase Persian Royal (GB) (Al Kazeem {GB}).
Aussies On The Advance
It hardly came as a surprise to see the Australian-based buyers play a major role this week and Annabel Neasham, Chris Waller, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott did exactly that.
Neasham played her cards relatively late to snap up what Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock described as a potential Melbourne Cup candidate in Fancy Man (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) for 675,000gns on Wednesday.
Through Guy Mulcaster, Waller landed another notable European-trained runner to head down under in the Irish Cesarewitch winner Waterville (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) for 410,000gns.
Castlebridge Come Out Tops
The biggest draft, by some way, came from The Castlebridge Consignment, who cleared just shy of 5,000,000gns for the week.
There were 106 horses sold from that draft for a total spend of 4,733,500gns averaging at 44,656gns.
Progeny Of Sea The Stars In Demand
Be it the premier yearling sales or horses-in-training sales, the demand for the progeny of Sea The Stars (Ire) and Frankel (GB), the leading Flat sires of this era, remains high.
Sea The Stars proved most popular this week with 14 horses making 1,506,000gns while Frankel cleared 1,256,500gns for his 13 horses through the ring.
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