Gains Across The Board At October 2

The final day of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw continued strong trade with a session that saw the two highest priced lots of the sale and 206 lots sell for 7,882,500 guineas at an average of 38,265 guineas and a median of 27,000 guineas. In total the three day sale saw 635 lots sold for 25,284,500 guineas which represented a record turnover for the sale and up 14% on the last year’s total, whilst the average and median saw rises of 23% and 20% to 39,818 guineas and 30,000 guineas when compared to last year. There were a total of 23 private sales over the three days which took the clearance rate for the sale to a remarkable 88%.  

The top lot on the final day was Lot 1156, the EXCEED AND EXCEL colt out of the BAHRI mare TEMPLE OF THEBES, who was knocked down to the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Mark Richards for 260,000 guineas. The three-parts brother to the Royal Ascot winning juvenile FLASHMANS PAPERS also caught the attention of Charlie Gordon-Watson as well as Sarah Lakin, stood alongside Geoffrey Howson for the Lofts Hall Stud offering, before being knocked down to Richards.

"At the beginning of the week, this was the one I said that we should have," said Richards. "I did not want to go home without him.  

"He should be an ideal type for Hong Kong; plenty of speed with some quality - he's got a huge backside already! 

"Exceed And Excel has had good performers in Hong Kong and is doing well in both hemispheres - it was a no brainer really."                          

It was the final purchase from the Hong Kong Jockey Club team who purchased five lots in total at Books 1 and 2 for 800,000 guineas.       

Yearlings by Rathbarry Stud’s resident stallion ACCLAMATION have been in great demand during October 2 following the exploits of his two-year-olds this year which have included six Group winners and the final day was no exception with three lots realising 100,000 guineas or more. They included Lot 1219, the colt out of the SELKIRK mare WEEK END, who was consigned from Rathbarry Stud and knocked down to John Warren for 230,000 guineas on behalf of George and Jackie Smith. The couple enjoyed success when acting as vendors last week, selling the OASIS DREAM colt out of KASSIOPEIA through Furnace Mill to Demi O'Byrne for 700,000gns.

"I have bought four yearlings for them - three colts and a filly," said Warren. "We missed out on a number of good colts last week, but this horse was the pick of this sale. He is an exceptional individual."

Over the three days of October 2 there were fifteen lots by ACCLAMATION offered, with fourteen selling for a total of 1,643,000 guineas, at an average of 117,357 guineas.                          

The success of the progeny of ACCLAMATION during Book 2 also helped propel Rathbarry Stud to leading consignor with the top five lots in their twelve-strong consignment by the son of ROYAL APPLAUSE. In total the Fermoy nursery sold 12 lots for a total of 1,160,000 guineas.                          

The leading buyer at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale were the father and son team of Peter and Ross Doyle who signed for a total of 32 lots for a total of 1,956,000 guineas with a large proportion destined for Richard Hannon’s East Everleigh Stables.

At the conclusion of Book 2 of the 2011 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;                          

“Last week’s extraordinary trade at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale gave the bloodstock industry a much needed boost and it has been wonderful to see the demand sustained throughout the three days of Book 2. The key indicators of average and median have both made significant gains, and the turnover is a new record for the sale despite a considerably smaller catalogue than last year. Competition at the top of the market has been particularly fierce with a huge rise in the number of six figure transactions and an outstanding clearance rate from start to finish. Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale is a focal point for so many trainers and owners from throughout the world and a clearance rate in excess of 85% demonstrates the strength and depth to this week’s trade.                          

“The key factor, both in Books 1 and 2, has been the smaller catalogues. We catalogued a record number of yearlings last year and quite simply, in the prevailing economic climate, it was too many. The imbalance between supply and demand needed to be redressed and reducing the numbers in Book 2 by almost 200 lots has played a crucial part in the success of this year’s renewal. Fewer yearlings, combined with an emphasis on quality, have created real competition at all levels of the market which bodes well for tomorrow’s Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale and the rest of the Tattersalls sales season.”                          

Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale starts at 9.30am on Friday, October 14.