Raven's Pass Filly Tops Opening Day of Tattersalls October Book 2

Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale got underway with the highest price for a filly at this sale since 2008 when Tony Nerses secured the Raven’s Pass filly from Rathbarry Stud for 370,000 guineas. Trade on the day saw a total of 231 lots sell for 14,585,500 guineas at an average of 63,141 guineas and a median of 48,000 guineas. There were a total of 11 lots that sold for 200,000 guineas or more whilst 46 lots sold for 100,000 guineas or above. 

Tony Nerses bought the highest priced yearling of the day, going to 380,000 guineas for a well-related filly by RAVEN’S PASS.  Catalogued as Lot 593 she is out of ANEEDAH a full sister to Group 2 winner MUTHMIR and half-sister to Group 3 winning MY TITIANIA and was consigned from Rathbarry Stud. 

Nerses who saw off competition from Team Hannon and Doyle was delighted with his purchase and commented:

"She is a very special filly, very athletic - I really like her," he said. "She has good page too - it's great to see a filly of this quality in Book 2!"

John Ferguson continued to be active during the first day of Book 2 and bought the second highest lot, the colt by DUTCH ART for 280,000 guineas.  Consigned by Cheveley Park Stud, he is out of winning BAHAMIAN BOUNTY filly BAHIA EMERALD, herself a half-sister to Listed winner VITAL STATISITICS. The colt hails from the family of Champion Irish filly PASS THE PEACE whose descendants include the Group 1 winners ATLANTIC JEWEL, KING’S APOSTLE and EMBASSY.

The third highest lot on Day 1 of Book 2 was a son of Haras d’Eterham’s ELUSIVE CITY bought by Charlie Gordon-Watson for 250,000 guineas.  Consigned by Hascombe and Valiant, the colt is out of SADLER’S WELLS mare AMMO who is an own sister to Group 3 winning SADLER’S FLAG and from the family of Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner POLIGLOTE.

Angus Gold was underbidder to Charlie Gordon-Watson who commented:

"It is a fantastic farm and this goes to Sir Michael Stoute.”

Later in the day Lot 712, the colt by leading first season sire ZOFFANY, sold to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 240,000 guineas.   Consigned by Redgate Bloodstock, he is out of IFFRAAJ mare CLOSE TO THE EDGE and his sire ZOFFANY has had 22 winners so far this season including WATERLOO BRIDGE, winner of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes and runner-up in the £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2YO Trophy.

Mark Richards of the Hong Kong Jockey Club said of the colt:

"We are delighted to have bought this colt, he is a lovely athletic type. I went to see him two or three times and he pulled out every time without a care in the world and walked as though he wanted it. 

"As 80 per cent of our races are below a mile, we need horses with speed and Zoffany looks as though he is giving his horses that. This horse looks exactly of the mould we need - athletic and fast."

Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continues at 10am on Tuesday, October 13th.