Sons Of Acclamation Dominate Strong Opening Day at October 2

Three colts by Rathbarry Stud’s resident stallion ACCLAMATION dominated the opening session of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. The strength of the market that was so evident in Book 1 carried over to the opening day of Book 2 with significant increases in turnover, average, median and clearance rate. A total of 210 lots were sold for 8,718,000 guineas, an increase of 39% on the corresponding session in 2010, resulting in an average of 41,514 guineas and a median of 31,000 guineas, representing rises of 27% and 24% respectively. One of the most impressive statistics was the clearance rate of 85%, up from 70% in 2010. The opening session saw a remarkable nineteen lots sell for 100,000 guineas or more, up from only 9 on the opening day last year.

The ROYAL APPLAUSE stallion ACCLAMATION received a quality book of mares back in 2008 following the success of his first runners the previous year. That crop, which was covered at an advertised fee of €30,000, are now two-year-olds and include no less than six Group winners including HARBOUR WATCH, TALWAR, ALSINDI, ANGELS WILL FALL and LILBOURNE LAD and so it was no surprise to see his yearlings in such great demand. Topping the bill was Lot 743, the colt out of the THEATRICAL mare INTREPID QUEEN consigned from The Castlebridge Consignment who was knocked down to Shadwell Estates’ Angus Gold for 180,000 guineas at the expense of underbidder Mark Richards from the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Following his purchase Gold commented; “Acclamation is a great stallion, who had to do it the hard way and is getting the better mares now.

"John Gosden, who was with me loved the horse, but it will be up to Sheikh Hamdan to decide where he goes. This horse should not take too long and is a two-year-old type - we like to supplement the more backward homebreds with some sharper horses.

"As everyone said last week, it was fantastic trade in the circumstances and I have not met anyone who could truthfully say beforehand that they expected it to happen.

"Prices have been good again today, which is fantastic considering the state of British racing at present. When this lot are racing, jockeys won't even be able to hit them any more!"

Earlier in the day Rathbarry Stud consigned lot 695, the colt out of the ANABAA mare GRAND SLAM MARIA who was knocked down to Ross Doyle for 165,000 guineas after he saw off the efforts of BBA Ireland’s Michael Donohoe whilst Charlie Gordon-Watson signed for Lot 689, the ACCLAMATION colt out of the SEEKING THE GOLD mare GOLD HUSH who was consigned by agent Keith Harte on behalf of Max Ervine and knocked down for 160,000 guineas.

"These horses are hard to buy," said Gordon-Watson.

"This colt is by a very good stallion, and you just have to see what they were making last week. He is a nice horse with a good pedigree that traces back to Lammtarra and Saytarra. He would not have looked out of place in Book 1 and will be going to Luca Cumani.”

Late in the evening a son of IFFRAAJ consigned from Peter and Antoinette Kavanagh’s Kildaragh Stud broke the stronghold of ACCLAMATION on the leading prices when knocked down to Shadwell Estates’ Angus Gold for 160,000 guineas. The son of the ALHAARTH mare KHIBRAAT was knocked down to Gold after he saw off the efforts of SackvilleDonald’s Ed Sackville.                            

Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continues at 10am on Wednesday, October 12.