2010 October Yearling Sale Book 1 Day 3 Press Release

Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale concluded with a daughter of OASIS DREAM topping the score sheets and with the solid trade from the first two days continuing. The final session saw 143 lots change hands for 15,284,000 guineas at an average of 106,881 guineas and a median of 75,000 guineas. The three day sale saw 449 lots sold for 48,243,000 guineas, at an average of 107,445 guineas and a median of 70,000 guineas.

One lot whose pedigree has seen numerous significant updates over the past 18 months is that of the OASIS DREAM filly out of the DAYLAMI mare TARIYSHA. Bred and consigned by James Egan’s Corduff Stud in Ireland, the filly is a sister to last seasons Group 1 Prix Morny winner ARCANO, whilst her dam is a half-sister to the dams of this year’s Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner GILT EDGE GIRL, and last season’s Group 2 winner GODFREY STREET and Listed winner BIG AUDIO. Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman and the Stobart Group’s Andrew Tinkler both made early plays on the filly before Charlie Gordon-Watson and Shadwell Estates’ Angus Gold both entered the fray with Gold proving successful when Gordon-Watson refused to answer his bid of 700,000 guineas. It came as no surprise that Sheikh Hamdan should take such an interest in the filly as ARCANO ran in the Sheikh’s colours when successful in the Prix Morny last year and is set to take up stud duties at his Derrinstown Stud in Ireland in 2011.

Gold had earlier signed for another of OASIS DREAM’s progeny when going to 480,000 guineas to secure the colt out of the Grade 2 winning BARATHEA mare SIRINGAS. Consigned from James Hanley’s Ballyhimikin Stud, the colt caught the attention of John Magnier as well as agent Rachel Boffey, but neither were able to match the efforts of Gold. Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Stud ended up the leading buyer over the three days of Book 1, with Gold signing for 20 yearlings totalling 5,150,000 guineas.

It was certainly an enthralling few minutes in the Tattersalls sale ring in the early evening as the lot before the session-topping OASIS DREAM filly came the MONTJEU colt out of the Group 3 winning KINGMAMBO mare TARFAH who was knocked down to Coolmore’s John Magnier for 525,000 guineas. Consigned from Lady Carolyn Warren’s Highclere Stud, the smart colt saw Sir Robert Ogden and Tinkler both make bold bids along with agent Alex Cole stood alongside his father Paul before the trio were trumped by Magnier. The Coolmore supremo was very active during October 1 signing for 15 yearlings in all for 5,372,000 guineas either as himself or via Demi O’Byrne.

The GALILEO filly out of the three-time Grade 1 winning DYNAFORMER mare RISKAVERSE, consigned from Voute Sales, was one of the star turns during the final session of the October 1 Sale, selling for 600,000 guineas to the bid of Irish agent Hugo Merry. Grant Pritchard Gordon, the Eishin Farm team from Japan, Catherine Duncan on behalf of Qatari interests, Charlie Gordon-Watson and Michael Goodbody were all beaten in the race to secure the filly. Merry indicated afterwards that he had purchased the filly on behalf of the Dubai based businessman Jim Hay.

"I bought a couple for Dr Hay last year and luckily they have been successful," said Merry.

"I identified a couple for him here and he kindly let me bid on them. This filly will go into training with Paul Cole."

The filly has been purchased with a stud career in mind and Merry, who already boards a couple of mares for Hay at his own Kilshannig Stud, is hoping that the filly will come back to the farm once her racing days are over.

"Hopefully, Dr Hay will become a successful owner-breeder in time!" smiled Merry.

"But there was plenty of interest in her and the market has been very strong for the top lots, especially fillies.

"I have been trying to buy yearlings for another client and we have plunged in deeper than we had planned and still came up short."

At the conclusion of Book 1 of the 2010 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;

“There is no doubt that we all still live in testing times but there have been plenty of positives to take from this year’s renewal of Europe’ premier yearling sale. The response to the Book 1 catalogue from the moment it was published suggested that the top of the market would be as competitive as ever and it would be fair to say that this sector of the market has exceeded expectations. As soon as the yearlings arrived here at Park Paddocks the buyers were quick to praise the overall quality and the trade over the past three days has endorsed their views. While some of the traditional superpowers have been more restrained than in recent years the feature of the sale has been the number of new or relatively new faces from Britain and further afield making a significant impact.

“The diversity of the international participation has been particularly heartening. To have had buyers from Abu Dhabi, Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Turkey and the USA all active at the top of the market is a clear demonstration of why October 1 is the sale of choice for so many European consignors. The strength of the sale lies in the consistent quality of the catalogue. Year after year the vendors bring the cream of the European yearling crop to October Book 1. It is their continued support which attracts the world’s leading owners to this fixture every year and also makes it the first priority for new participants in the sport.

“To have sold the first seven figure yearling in Europe since 2007 was an obvious highlight of the sale and it has been gratifying to have so many owners and trainers enthusing about the £1,750,000 Tattersalls Millions race series. It would, however, be wrong to pretend that it has all been plain sailing this week. The market remains selective as we still contend with the large pre – recession foal crops. Nevertheless the industry can take heart from Book 1 of the 2010 October Yearling Sale. Last year’s October 1 significantly outperformed the overall market and this year’s figures are only slightly down on those returns, but most importantly the sale has demonstrated an enduring global demand for quality yearlings and an enduring appetite for a great sport.”