After a busy five days of selling, the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale concluded at Park Paddocks in Newmarket on Friday.
Topping the final session was Veiled Illusion (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (lot 1562), who sold for 55,000gns to Nawaf Abdullah Al-Saif. Consigned by James Tate's Jamesfield Stables, the Lingfield winner is bound for Saudi Arabia.
“He is in good form, and will ship soon to Saudi,” said Al-Saif. “I think he will like the better weather in the Middle East and should be one to go on both the turf and dirt surfaces at the King Abdulaziz racecourse.”
One day longer than 2022's edition, the sale's Friday session resulted in 88 lots sold from 162 offered (81%). The aggregate was 1,076,859gns. The average was 8,158gns and the median was 4,500gns.
Overall, despite the larger catalogue, the clearance rate remained high at 87% dropping only three points from the record-breaking 2022 sale. The gross for the 1,089 lots that found new homes was 33,705,774gns. Both the average and median were down, with the average settling at 30,951gns (-14%) and the median was 15,000gns (-6%) compared to last term.
Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “Sale turnover second only to last year's wide-margin record is a very solid performance from the 2023 renewal of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale. As ever this unique fixture, the largest and most popular of its type in the world, has attracted an extraordinarily diverse collection of buyers from all corners of the world and this has been reflected in figures which yet again demonstrate the enduring appeal of British and Irish horses in training as well as quality stock from France and Germany.
“Similar to so many Tattersalls sales the Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale has made relentless progress in the past decade. Only 10 years ago the sale recorded turnover a little over 20 million guineas, an average price of 23,000 guineas and eight lots selling for 200,000 guineas or more. This year's sale has achieved turnover of almost 34 million guineas, an average price well over 30,000 guineas and 28 lots have sold for 200,000 guineas or more which is only one fewer than at last year's record-breaking sale.
“The sustained and widespread demand from throughout the Gulf region has yet again played an enormous part in the success of the sale as racing in that part of the world continues to grow and flourish, but equally significant has been the impact of a particularly strong contingent of Australian buyers whose presence has been felt in all sectors of the market, but most notably at the very top. Ten of the top 20 highest priced horses sold this week and nearly 50 horses in total are heading down to Australia which is a tribute to the top level success of recent graduates of the sale like Just Fine (Ire) and Zaaki (GB). Similarly success driven, although largely at a different level of the market has been the notable contribution from the numerous European buyers in particular Spanish and Italian buyers who have been busy from start to finish and have also accounted for more than 80 horses between them this week. We work hard alongside our extensive network of overseas representatives to promote this and every other Tattersalls sale and it is rewarding to see this reflected in the unrivalled overseas participation which is the hallmark of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale.
“Alongside international buyers from more than 30 different countries the domestic British and Irish influence has also been felt in all sectors of the market this week with Flat and National Hunt buyers all making a significant contribution and we look forward to seeing equally diverse international and domestic demand at the forthcoming Tattersalls December Foals and Mares Sale which annually provides a showcase for the very best European bloodstock.”
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