Record Turnover At Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up And Horses In Training Sale
A daughter of WAR FRONT lit up the Guineas Breeze Up and Horses in Training Sale when selling for 270,000 guineas as turnover, average and median all posted significant increases. This was only the third renewal of the sale combining both breeze up lots and horses in training and the format is proving increasing popular. The Horses in Training section saw a total of 44 lots sell for 682,700 guineas a rise of 66%, at an average of 15,516 guineas and a median of 7,000 guineas. The Breeze Up section of the sale saw a 39% increase in turnover to 3,271,800 guineas for the 100 lots sold whilst the average and median rose 28% and 33% respectively to 32,718 guineas and 22,000 guineas. The combined sections saw a total of 145 lots sold for 3,955,328 guineas at an average of 27,278 guineas and a median of 16,000 guineas. These represented rises of 43% in turnover, 18% in average and 14% in median.
Jim McCarten’s Gaybrook Lodge Stud had a day to remember, selling the two fillies to sell for 200,000 guineas or more, headlined by the WAR FRONT filly out of the LEMON DROP KID mare PASTEL GAL that was knocked down to David Redvers for 270,000 guineas after he saw off Stephen Hillen standing alongside Kevin Ryan.
"Whatever they're feeding there I want it!" laughed Redvers. "They go like rockets and run like it too!
"She was by far the best filly here, she easily put in the quickest breeze - and did it with her ears pricked. She has an arse on her to be proud of, and has a great attitude to go with it.
"We bought our Guineas runner Lightning Thunder from Gaybrook so we know they go like rockets on the track. We love War Front too and have done from the start. We have no immediate plans - I will talk to the Sheikh first."
Earlier in the day trainer Ed Dunlop saw off a determined effort by Richard Hannon and Ross Doyle to secure the INVINCIBLE SPIRIT filly out of the MACHIAVELLIAN mare GOLDEN FLYER. Also consigned from Jim McCarten’s Gaybrook Lodge Stud, the filly was knocked down to Dunlop for 215,000 guineas, providing his owner with a pinhooking triumph, having purchased her for just €39,000 as a yearling. Dunlop purchased the filly on behalf of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rachid Al Maktoum and his racing manager Angus Gold said:
"We tried to buy one for Ed at the Craven Sale, but we did not manage to. Sheikh Hamdan was very keen to buy one to have in training with him and we liked this filly very much.
"She did a very good breeze, vetted well and she seems to have a very calm attitude. I am not a breeze-up specialist, and I don't use a clock, preferring instead to watch and observe their action, but Ed tells me she did a very fast time.
"Despite the quick time, she is actually quite a big filly so she won't be appearing next week."
Doyle and Hannon didn’t have to wait long for recompense, securing the very next lot for 125,000 guineas. Consigned from Willie Browne’s Mocklershill, the colt by ACCLAMATION out of the ROSSINI mare GOLDEN LEGACY was purchased at last year’s Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 for 62,000 guineas. The Doyle’s saw off Sheikh Fahad, stood alongside David Redvers for the March-bred juvenile.
The top price for the Horses in Training section was 140,000 guineas for the four-year-old GREAT HALL who was knocked down to the bid of Sean Quinn. The son of HALLING is officially rated 99 and ran in the St Leger last year. Quinn, who is the son of trainer John Quinn, saw off agent Matt Coleman to secure the colt on behalf of owner Carl Hinchy.
"He'll stay on the Flat," said Quinn following his purchase. "Carl has mainly jumpers with Dad, but we have followed this horse and when we saw he was entered here, we both got on the phone.
"He has shown good form, but is still lightly raced. He has won over 1m6f and ran in last year's St Leger. I think he'll stay a bit further."
Tony Stafford, racing manager for owner Raymond Tooth, said: "We are delighted, he's been a fun horse, but it is always good to get something back - it's a very pleasing amount!
"I saw Sean here at the last Tattersalls sale and mentioned that the horse was coming here - always helps to come to a sale even when you're not selling."
At the conclusion of the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up and Horses in Training Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;
“After the record breaking Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale it has been encouraging to see the momentum continue to this week’s Guineas Breeze Up and Horses in Training Sale. The 270,000 guineas top price was the highest price at the sale since 2010 and the second highest price for a filly at this fixture, as well as being a spectacular pinhooking triumph. In addition, the 140,000 guineas for the four year old colt GREAT HALL was a record for the Horses in Training section and another indication of the extra dimension that this recently introduced element has brought to the sale. In line with the Craven Breeze Up Sale, turnover, average and median have all risen significantly, and the clearance rate of 81% has also improved on last year’s numerically smaller sale.
“The two 2014 Tattersalls Breeze Up Sales have both produced positive returns with the feature being the sustained demand at the top of the market and the international participation which is the hallmark of so many sales at Tattersalls. Buyers from North America, the Gulf region, South East Asia, Australasia and throughout Europe have all made significant contributions to both parts of today’s Guineas Sale and, as ever we look forward to seeing graduates of the sale performing at the highest level on the global stage."
The next sale at Tattersalls is the July Sale which takes place from July 8 – 11. Entries are now open and can be made via the Tattersalls website at www.tattersalls.com.