Half Sister To Derby Winner Pour Moi Tops Strong Opening Day Of October 1

Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale got off to a flying start on the opening day with 30 lots selling for 200,000 guineas or more and the GALILEO half-sister to the Derby winner POUR MOI realising the top price for the day of 800,000 guineas. The opening session, which saw 24% fewer lots offered than in 2010, still saw turnover increase by 22% with 120 lots selling for 18,148,000 guineas. A strong clearance rate was in evidence throughout with day with the final figures showing that 82% of lots offered were sold, rising to an 84% when private sales are included. The average for the day was 151,233 guineas, a rise of 48% on 2010 whilst the median rose 52% to 100,000 guineas.

The top price for the day was Lot 112, the GALILEO three-quarters sister to this year's Derby winner Pour Moi who was knocked down for 800,000gns. Described as "fit to grace any stud" by auctioneer John O'Kelly, and a pick of many agents in the Racing Post's Tattersalls Q & A published in the run-up to this sale, Paul Makin was suitably encouraged, in his usual flamboyant bidding style, kick the bidding off at 600,000gns.

John McCormack had a couple of bids, but it was left to John Magnier to go head to head with Makin. The Australian shook his head at one point, however he revised his decision and put in a bid of 800,000gns, enough to defeat his Irish opponent. Makin reported afterwards that he had also bought Lot 105, the Galileo half-brother to Alfred Nobel, encouraged by Tom Pritchard-Gordon of Badgers Bloodstock.                          

"My blood was up to buy this filly," said Makin. “When Lot 105 was going through for just 120,000gns, Tom came to find me to say that the horse was going through too cheaply. We came in and bought for 155,000gns. It got my blood up," he joked.                          

"We have seen this filly a lot, in fact just two days before POUR MOI won the Derby when she was at Ashtown House Stud. I have no idea who will train her, but the pair will go from here to Di Turner's pre-training yard. Neither are going to be early types, and they might even stay there until March," he said, adding that the filly will eventually join his broodmare band.                          

Grant Pritchard-Gordon added: "It seems to be a very solid catalogue, with some good individuals," before Makin concluded: "There are 50 horses that you would buy!"                          

The filly had the latest of late updates to her page - her year older sister KISSED won a fillies' maiden at Navan at 4.05pm, just three-quarters of an hour before this one went through the ring and received quotes of 16/1 for next year’s Oaks.

The fireworks started early in the day when Lot 9, the GALILEO sister to the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner NIGHTIME was knocked down to Niarchos’ Alan Cooper for 700,000 guineas. The filly out of the INDIAN RIDGE mare CAUMSHINAUN was consigned by The Castlebridge Consignment and knocked down to Cooper after he saw off the efforts of the Charlie Liverton. Following his purchase Cooper commented;

"She is a full sister to a Classic winner and let's hope this one carries on the family performance," said Cooper. "She will be trained by Henry Cecil.”                          

Late in the day, Lot 141, the colt by OASIS DREAM out of the GALILEO mare KASSIOPEIA was also knocked down for 700,000 guineas, this time to the bid of Coolmore supremo John Magnier. Consigned by Furnace Mill on behalf of Jackie and George Smith, the colt was knocked down to Magnier after he saw off the efforts of trainer Andrew Balding.                          

Trish Brown of Furnace Mill said: "That was nerve racking wasn't it! He has always been a lovely type, with a great walk and a good attitude. He was very busy and had a lot of vettings. I was hopeful, but really did not think he would get that much."                          

Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continues on Thursday, October 6 at 11.30am.