2011 Craven Breeze Up Sale Day 2 Press Release

The second day of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale saw Sir Robert Ogden top the session again, this time with a DISTORTED HUMOR colt at 320,000 guineas. The second session saw a total of 53 lots sold for 3,593,000 guineas which saw the two day sale realise a turnover of 7,987,000 guineas for the 112 lots sold. The average over the two days was 71,313 guineas with the median at 60,000 guineas.

As he did the previous day, Sir Robert Ogden signed for the top priced lot for the day when he secured the DISTORTED HUMOR colt from the draft of Willie Browne’s Mocklershill Stables. The son of the Grade 3 winning DYNAFORMER mare STUPENDOUS MISS was knocked down to Ogden after he saw off agent Stephen Hillen and Hugo Merry who was standing alongside trainer Brian Meehan.

Following the purchase, Barry Simpson, Sir Robert’s racing manager commented; "This colt was an exceptional individual. We really liked him, he is a very refined individual and breezed nicely - he is a fine horse.

"It is so important that these horses are prepared well and we know that from Mocklershill there is plenty to go on with from here. They are not hard trained to get here and they arrive in great condition.

"The horses bought here will go back to Sir Robert's stud for a short time where we can give them a quick assessment and learn a little bit about them. Again we have not yet finalised training plans." The sale was a triumph for his owners who purchased him as a yearling for $60,000. 
Hannah Wall, assistant to David Redvers signed for the PIVOTAL colt out of the DANEHILL DANCER mare OOH AAH CAMARA for 200,000 guineas. Wall was bidding on behalf of Redvers and Sheikh Fahad Al Thani who are in Australia.

"David and I came and watched the practice breezes on Monday, and he and the Sheikh have watched the breezes on video," reported Wall.

"The Sheikh is thrilled to have bought this horse and he will run in Pearl Bloodstock's colours.

"He is lovely horse and did a very good time in his breeze - we have had some success in the past buying horses on their times.

"He is a tall horse so we won't be in a rush with him and he will come back to Tweenhills for a break. We have not yet decided upon a trainer."

The colt was consigned by Paddy Twomey’s Hawthorn Villa Stud.

At the conclusion of the 2011 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;

“There have been a number of positives to take from the trade at this year’s Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale. Having taken the decision not to stage the Guineas Breeze Up Sale this year, we compiled a larger and more diverse Craven catalogue and this has attracted buyers at all levels of the market from throughout the world. We have seen an increase in turnover and the extra numbers have not had an adverse impact on the all – important clearance rate which has held up well. While the larger catalogue has understandably produced declines in other key indicators it would be fair to say that the average purchase price of the two year olds coming into the sale was less than in recent years and we have seen some spectacular pinhooking successes over the past two days.

“The top end of the market has been particularly competitive with domestic buyers facing stiff opposition from their overseas counterparts and the increased participation from Hong Kong buyers has been one of the most encouraging features of the sale. Year after year the breeze up consignors do a magnificent job producing horses which go on to perform at the highest level on the international stage and it is their professionalism which consistently attracts so many leading buyers to the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale."