Oasis Dream Colt Tops Opening Day of Tattersalls October Book 1

Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Europe’s premier yearling sale got underway at Park Paddocks with a son of OASIS DREAM topping the proceedings on the opening day. A total of 107 lots were sold for 20,185,000 guineas at an average of 188,645 guineas and a median of 140,000 guineas. The average represented the second highest opening day average for the sale, whilst the median, which was up 19% was a new opening day record for the sale.

The top lot on the opening day of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale was 775,000 guineas for Floor Stud’s OASIS DREAM colt out of TITIVATION, the half-sister to the farm’s former Champion racemare ATTRACTION. American owner Jon Kelly and Turkish owner Ibrahim Araci made much of the early running along with agent John Warren before John Ferguson standing alongside Sheikh Mohammed trumped the trio to secure the colt.

"He is a quality colt, from a great family and by a great sire," said Ferguson. "I had a runner at Kelso in the summer and went to Floors to see the yearlings - this colt has clearly thrived since then."

It is the highest-price ever achieved in the sale ring by the stud, and the Duke of Roxburghe said: "This horse has always done everything right. I have another three colts to sell this week - it is the best draft we have ever had."

Bloodstock agents Alex Solis and Jason Litt, making their first visit to Tattersalls for Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale made it a visit to remember when securing the DANSILI sister to Group 1 Phoenix Stakes winner ZOFFANY for 700,000 guineas. Consigned by Croom House Stud, the daughter of the MACHIAVELLIAN mare TYRANNY is also a half-sister to Group 3 Anglesey Stakes winner WILSHIRE BOULEVARD.

"Plans are to be decided," said Litt. "She is a good-looking filly, and Zoffany is going so well. Dansili has also done well in Europe and in the US."

Demand for the well-bred filly came from all quarters and included Demi O'Byrne, John Ferguson and Moyglare Stud’s Fiona Craig.

The progeny of OASIS DREAM were very popular on the first day of Europe’s premier yearling sale and as well as the sale topper, John Ferguson also purchased the colt out of the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera winner ZEE ZEE TOP for 625,000 guineas. The Meon Valley Stud consigned colt is a half-brother to the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner IZZI TOP and from the family of multiple Group 1 winner KAYF TARA who raced for Godolphin.

"He's a smooth, athletic colt," said Ferguson. "He comes from an outstanding family that Sheikh Mohammed knows very well."

OASIS DREAM had nine lots sell on the opening day for 3,415,000 guineas at an average of 379,444 guineas.

Anthony Oppenheimer’s Hascombe & Valiant Stud was responsible for the 600,000 guineas SEA THE STARS half-brother to the Group 2 Harwicke Stakes winner BRONZE CANNON. The son of the MARK OF ESTEEM mare VICTORIA CROSS was knocked down to Charlie Gordon-Watson after he saw off John Ferguson.

"He is going to Sir Michael Stoute," said Gordon-Watson.

"He is by a Classic sire, has a Classic pedigree and we'll hope for the best.”

SEA THE STARS had 6 yearlings sell on the opening day for 1,790,000 guineas, at an average of 298,333 guineas.

Day 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 gets underway at 11am on Wednesday, October 8.