Strong Trade on Opening Day of Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale

The Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale made a strong start with a wide representation of international buyers all contributing to an opening day which saw increases in all the key indicators.  Twelve lots made 100,000 guineas or more and two lots shared top billing at 270,000 guineas. A total of 247 lots were sold for 6,424,800 guineas, at an average of 26,011 guineas and a median of 13,500 guineas. The clearance rate was 91%.

The joint top lot on the opening day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale was the two-year-old colt SINCIL BANK who was secured by SackvilleDonald’s Alastair Donald for 270,000 guineas after fending off competition from Stuart Bowman as well as eventual underbidder Stephen Hillen.

Following disqualification from his initial maiden win in August, the son of Kentucky-based sire HAT TRICK went on to win next time out at Newcastle by three and a half lengths and was most recently third in a conditions race at Newmarket. The David Simcock’s trained two-year-old was sold with a ‘Timeform’ rating of 93p and will continue his career in Hong Kong.

Donald commented:

"He is a scopey sort.  He has some maturing to do, but his performances have been good, he just weakened a little coming up the hill at Newmarket, it was quite an eye-catching performance. He should suit Hong Kong.

"He is a good physical and the I know the Simcock team were keen not to lose him."

Much later in the evening, the second lot to make 270,000 guineas was three-year-old colt IMPERIAL AVIATOR who attracted a wide number of potential purchasers that included Guy Mulcaster, John Kilbride, John McCormack, and Roger Charlton but it was Johnny McKeever sitting with Gai Waterhouse’s co-trainer Adrian Bott who came out on top.

Trained by Roger Charlton, the consistent son of PACO BOY has been placed in six of his nine runs and has a ‘Timeform’ rating of 108.

McKeever commented:

"He is a gorgeous horse, the outstanding lot of the day. He is an attractive stayer and we could not leave him behind. You would not know that he had run just two days ago.

"We have been lucky here for Gai before, and bought Group 1 winners Glencadam Gold and The Offer, let's hope the luck continues with this horse."

Jamie Railton, consignor for owner Qatar Racing, said:

"He is a credit to the Roger Charlton team. The horse is in fantastic order and even though he was so busy here yesterday, he still was as bright and calm as when he got here."

Four-year-old gelding HAWKE achieved the third-highest price of the day when selling to Prince Sultan bin Mohammed of Saudi Arabia for 260,000 guineas.  The Ballygallon Stud homebred was consigned by Johnny Murtagh’s Fox Covert Stables from where he was trained to victory in the Listed Carlingford Stakes at Dundalk ten days ago.

Rated 109 by ‘Timeform’, the son of ORATORIO is out of Group 3 winning SADLER’S WELLS mare AUSTRALIE and a half-brother to fellow Listed winner MIREILLE.

A representative of Prince Sultan bin Mohammed commented:

"He is going to Saudi Arabia, and is one for the King's Cup.  He is a good horse and we think he will do well in Saudi."

Belinda Strudwick of Ballygallon Stud said:

"We would have been happy to have kept him if we had not made the money and we would have campaigned him in Dubai.

"He has been a lot of fun this summer and has come really good. We still have the mare Australie as well as a daughter at home. Australie had a Le Havre filly this spring and is in-foal to Zoffany."

Consigned by Jeremy Noseda’s Shalfleet Stables, BRAVO ZOLO achieved the fourth highest price of the day when Anthony Stroud bought the four-year-old gelding for 170,000 guineas.

From the family of Group 2 Diadem Stakes winner BARON’S PIT, the son of RIP VAN WINKLE won the Listed Prix du Ranelagh at Chantilly last time out and has a ‘Timeform’ rating of 112.

Anthony Stroud of Stroud Coleman Bloodstock commented:

"He fits the profile for Dubai, there should be plenty of opportunities for him there."

The Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale continues at 9.30am on Tuesday, October 25.