Brentford Hope Tops Final Day of Tattersalls February Sale

Brentford Hope was the top priced horse on the second and final day of the Tattersalls February Sale when selling for 90,000 guineas, with the solid trade continuing as horses in training took centre stage. 

Ed Bailey & Harry Derham Secure Brentford Hope for 90,000 Guineas  

The multiple Group placed BRENTFORD HOPE was the star turn on the second day of the Tattersalls February Sale, selling to agent Ed Bailey and rookie National Hunt trainer Harry Derham for 90,000 guineas. The six-year-old son of CAMELOT has been Group placed on three occasions and is no stranger to jumps, finishing second on three occasions over hurdles at the end of last year for trainer Richard Hughes. He was sold with an official flat rating of 102 and has an official hurdle rating of 114 following his recent exploits.  

Successful purchaser Bailey commented: "This is a nice, scopey horse and Harry saw him yesterday. Brentford Hope has been a high-class performer on the flat and has run well over hurdles so far, bumping into some decent performers, and the form is looking good. He should progress over hurdles and he is for sale." 

Mohatu Destined for Saudi Arabia at 80,000 Guineas  

The second highest priced lot on the second day was the William Haggas trained MOHATU, who was purchased by Abdullah Salman Hamoud Alsabah for 80,000 guineas after he saw off persistent underbidder Hugo Merry. The son of ROARING LION was consigned by agent Jamie Railton on behalf of owners Qatar Racing and has won two of his previous three starts, earning a Timeform rating of 91p.  

"He has been bought to race in Saudi Arabia. I now have seven horses and I will own and train him. He’s an improving horse with good form. The programme is expanding in Saudi Arabia and it is thriving. The surface is very good, which is so important for the horses," said Alsabah.  

The three-year-old colt is out of the FRANKEL mare TIGER EYE, a three-time winner and fourth in the Listed Conqueror Stakes. TIGER EYE is a half-sister to the Group winners SPIRIT QUARTZ, CASPIAN PRINCE and TUSCAN GAZE and to the dam of five-time Hong Kong Group 1 winner EXULTANT.  

Ryan & Piggott Buy Tenjin for 75,000 Guineas  

One lot earlier the NIGHT OF THUNDER three-year-old TENJIN was purchased by trainer John Ryan and agent Jamie Piggott for 75,000 guineas on behalf of owner Jon Thompson. The gelding has been a model of consistency for Marco Botti on the all-weather throughout the winter and finished fourth on his most recent start at Lingfield, a length and a quarter behind the Ryan trained THE X O. He was consigned today by Botti’s Prestige Place with a Timeform rating of 91.  

Thompson of the buying group said: "He wants a bit of time and he is going to run in association with the new wine bar in town, Gee Gee's Wine Bar. I think there are about seventeen of us involved in this horse now, and he goes to John Ryan."  

Chairman’s Statement  

At the conclusion of the 2023 Tattersalls February Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;  

“The individual highlight of the 2023 Tattersalls February Sale was without doubt the 250,000 guineas BBA Ireland purchase of the very well-bred broodmare NOW OR NEVER, who is the third highest priced broodmare ever sold at the Tattersalls February Sale and the highest price at the sale since 2018, but the real feature of the past two days has been the international participation.  

“Diverse overseas demand has always been the hallmark of the Tattersalls February Sale and other Tattersalls sales of this nature and the consignors have confidence that Newmarket’s unique appeal consistently produces an unrivalled marketplace. Even the relatively small February Sale consistently attracts an abundance of buyers from all over the world and we have sold horses to more than 20 different countries over the past two days. Widespread participation from throughout Europe has been matched by the customary strong contingent from throughout the Gulf region and buyers from India and North Africa have also made significant contributions to a solid renewal of the annual curtain - raiser at Park Paddocks. While the figures have not matched last year’s impressive returns, the turnover was the fourth highest in the sale’s history, the clearance rate has again exceeded 80% and the sustained demand for British and Irish bloodstock at all levels of the market has yet again very much been in evidence at the Tattersalls February Sale.”