2010 October Yearling Sale Book 2 Day 4 Press Release

The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2 concluded with three lots breaking the six-figure barrier during the final session and a total of 107 lots selling for 3,157,700 guineas, at an average of 29,511 guineas and a median of 21,000 guineas. Over the four sessions of the sale, a total of 685 lots were sold for 22,241,900 guineas, at an average of 32,470 guineas and a median of 25,000 guineas. The clearance rate for the sale was a more than respectable 78% when the 43 private sales are included.

One agent who has been prominent over the two weeks of Book 1 and 2 has been Rachel Boffey who has purchased four colts for 525,000 guineas on behalf of London-based Australian Stuart Stuckey including the GREEN DESERT colt out of the UNFUWAIN mare STRINGS for 145,000 guineas. Boffey had to hold off the efforts of Darley’s John Ferguson and trainer Paul Cole to secure the offering from the Swinburn family’s Genesis Green Stud.

Following the purchase Boffey commented; “This is a lovely colt. He is scopey with a great walk. Stuart has bought two this week, and although he has tended to buy Classic types, the purchase of the Iffraaj colt earlier this week was in order to mix up the selection a little.

"Stuart is looking to building up his string and most are with Luca (Cumani). He is also looking to develop a breeding enterprise."

Stuckey and Boffey were due to fly to Canada tomorrow to watch his Group 2 Oaks D’Italia winner CONTREDANSE run in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday night. The Luca Cumani trained daughter of DANEHILL DANCER was purchased by Boffey on Stuckey’s behalf at the 2009 Tattersalls December Mare Sale for 135,000 guineas.

A few lots later Cumani secured the DUBAWI filly out of the WARNING mare TARABAYA, consigned by Lynn Lodge Stud, for 100,000 guineas at the expense of agent Russell MacNabb.

"She looks racey and is a good-moving daughter of DUBAWI, and we all know how well he has done this year," smiled Cumani. "She has been bought for an existing client.

"I will have the usual number of two-year-olds this winter, about 50 plus. I have been delighted with the horses that Rachel has bought for Stuart Stuckey over the past two weeks. He is an enthusiastic owner, who is getting into racing in a bigger way."

The Cashman family’s Rathbarry Stud enjoyed a profitable return on their DARK ANGEL colt out of the GREEN DESERT mare THAWRAH. Purchased at the 2009 Tattersalls December Foal Sale for 50,000 guineas, the colt was knocked down to Shadwell Estates’ Angus Gold for 140,000 guineas after he saw off the determined effort of agent Peter Doyle.

"This is a family we know very well," laughed Gold, referring to Sheikh Hamdan's ownership of ARJUZAH, this colt's second dam. She is the dam of Sheikh Hamdan-owned and Shadwell-bred MALHUB, winner of the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes and twice a Group 1 runner-up, in the Haydock Sprint Cup and Nunthorpe Stakes.

"This is a gorgeous horse," continued Gold. "It is also great to support a fantastic bloodstock family such as the Cashmans, who have always done such a good job. I miss Liam's face at the sales ring and I hope this colt will become a great horse.

"Dark Angel was a sharp and precocious two-year-old. I have seen most of his horses here and I have liked the majority of them."

At the conclusion of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;

“At the end of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale we reflected on the strength and depth at the top of the market and the trade at Book 2 has been very similar in that respect. Turnover for Book 2 has risen, the number of six figure lots has increased and the key indicators of average and median have held up well. Buyers have consistently remarked all week that quality yearlings have been hard to buy and it has been wonderful to see some major pinhooking triumphs throughout the sale as well as a truly cosmopolitan crowd at Park Paddocks from start to finish.

“Nevertheless, the increased numbers catalogued for Book 2 have had an impact on the clearance rate which has not matched the outstanding level achieved last year. The demand for places in Book 2 was unprecedented and reflects an enormous vote of confidence in the sale, but the sheer numbers have been daunting. The market continues to show resilience considering the prevailing economic climate but the extra 210 yearlings catalogued has without doubt placed a strain on the lower levels of the Book 2 market. This year’s British and Irish foal crop has reduced significantly which will make the task of managing the numbers less challenging in 2011 and we would be looking to keep next year’s October Book 2 to its traditional three day format.

“Looking ahead to Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale we have some good solid commercial yearlings to come. The vast majority of the Book 3 yearlings are eligible for the £10,000 ‘Racing Post Yearling Bonus’ which has been such a success and buyers still have plenty of opportunities to find some quality individuals as well as value for money.”