2010 October Yearling Sale Book 2 Day 1 Press Release

Two colts by the leading first season stallion IFFRAAJ proved the highlight of the opening day of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale with both falling to the bid of John Ferguson. The opening session saw 192 lots sell for 6,269,000 guineas at an average of 32,651 guineas and a median of 25,000 guineas, figures that were similar to the opening session at last year’s renewal of the sale.

The session topping lot was the colt by IFFRAAJ out of the FOREST CAMP mare CAMP RIVERSIDE, herself a half-sister to the Group winning and Group 1 placed RIVER PROUD. Consigned from the Nottinghamshire-based Denniff Farms, the colt caught the attention of Kern Lillingston’s Ed Sackville and agent Rachel Boffey along with Darley’s John Ferguson. The three soon became two, and despite the best efforts of Boffey, it was Ferguson who prevailed, signing for the colt at 160,000 guineas.

Earlier in the day Ferguson had to go to 150,000 guineas to secure the IFFRAAJ colt out of the RIVERMAN mare VOYAGE OF DREAMS in what was to result in a pinhooking triumph for his owners having been purchased for 22,000 guineas at the 2009 Tattersalls December Foal Sale. Consigned by Peter Player’s Whatton Manor Stud, the colt caught the attention of Cheveley Park Stud’s Chris Richardson and agents Charlie Gordon-Watson and Alistair Donald, but they all had to play second fiddle to Ferguson’s tune.

Following his purchase, Ferguson commented;

"Iffraaj is a horse that improved throughout his career and he has made an exceptional start with his two-year-olds.

"We bought plenty last week and are very pleased with what we bought," he continued,

"But these are difficult times for many, and the biggest single issue for all is the cost of production.

"We will sit down next month and work out what we are going to do with Darley's stallion fees and, yes, some will be coming down.

"We got to give everyone a chance and a lot of people are still finding things very tough." .

The third highest price for the session was the 145,000 guineas for the HIGH CHAPARRAL colt out of the GREEN DESERT mare DESERT CLASSIC. The colt who was consigned by Mike Caddy’s Heatherwold Stud, was the last horse into the ring for the day and caught the interest of Rachel Boffey but she was to finish the bridesmaid again, with MV Magnier, son of Coolmore supremo John Magnier, triumphant.

Lady Carolyn Warren’s Highclere Stud ended the October 1 sale last week as the leading consignor for the fourth consecutive year and the Berkshire nursery were responsible for the equal fourth highest price for the day, the PIVOTAL colt who was knocked down to MV Magnier for 125,000 guineas. Out of the CADEAUX GENEREUX mare BRILLIANCE and a half-brother to the Listed winner TORA BORA, the colt caught the attention of Kern Lillingston’s Ed Sackville and London based agent Charlie Gordon-Watson, but it was MV Magnier who prevailed.

Newmarket based agent Jill Lamb secured the ROCK OF GIBRALTAR colt out of the INDIAN RIDGE mare APACHE DREAM for 125,000 guineas after seeing off agents Charlie Gordon-Watson and Peter Doyle. Consigned from Clare Castle Stud in Co. Tipperary, the colt was purchased by Lamb on behalf of owner Liam Sheridan.