Top Lot Dan Destined For Qatar

Back-to-back victories since the publication of the catalogue were enough to elevate Go Dan Go (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) (lot 673) to the position of session-topper at 180,000gns on the final day of the Tattersalls July Sale. Qatar's champion trainer Jassim Al Ghazali, who is aided in his selection process by Will Douglass of Charles Gordon-Watson Bloodstock, added the 97-rated 3-year-old to his list of 12 purchases for a total of 501,000gns throughout the three-day sale.

Commenting on his most expensive purchase of the week, Douglass said: “He is a lovely gelding, with some great current form that is working out well.” Yet another solid clearance rate of 93% brought the summer sale to a close on Friday ahead of the final day of the July meeting and the G1 Darley July Cup. The third day's trade accrued 2,426,400gns (+7%) for 144 horses sold at an average price of 16,850gns (+2%) and median of 10,000gns, which dropped by 9%.

Final figures for the sale as a whole saw turnover stand at 8,949,800gns, an increase of 7% for 14 fewer lots sold than in 2014, while the average and median both climbed by 10% to 18,415gns and 11,000gns respectively. The clearance rate fell marginally but held at a respectable 90% for 486 horses sold from 543 brought to the market.

Commenting on a vibrant few days of trade at a sundrenched Park Paddocks, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said: “Widely regarded as Europe's premier midsummer sale, this year's Tattersalls July Sale has attracted buyers from every continent in the world, all of whom have contributed to improved figures across the board for the fourth consecutive year. Turnover a fraction short of 9 million guineas is the third highest ever for this fixture, while the median equalled the record and the average was second only to the record breaking year of 2006.” He added: “Year after year we reflect on the extraordinary level of international participation at the July Sale and other similar sales here at Tattersalls, and this week's renewal has been no exception. We felt that the catalogue had all the necessary ingredients to attract a diverse crowd of buyers and this has been reflected not only in the improved figures, but also, crucially for a sale of this nature, in the spectacular clearance rate of around 90%. The global appetite for British and Irish horses in training is as strong as ever, and equally encouraging has been the demand for well bred fillies and broodmares.”

There were fewer British and Irish National Hunt trainers in action this week at Tattersalls but Simon West selected the Aga Khan-bred colt Vilman (Ire) (Mastercraftsman [Ire}) (lot 749), a winner over 1m5f since the catalogue was printed, to join his string of jumpers. The Yorkshire trainer went to 95,000gns to secure the relation to Group 1 winners Valanour (Ire) (Lomond) and Vereva (Ire) (Kahyasi {GB}). He said: “He is a nice sort and I had some good advice about him. He has been bought to go jumping and is for the owners of [triple winner] Maximiser.” Another 3-year-old, Skate (GB), (Verglas {Ire}), lot 620,will be leaving Roger Charlton's Beckhampton stable and is also headed for Qatar after trainer Marco Botti outbid Al Ghazali at 85,000gns.

“I was bidding on behalf of Jamie Lloyd and the horse is going to a client of his in Qatar,” said Botti, whose Team Valor-owned Beverley D S. winner Euro Charline (GB) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) finished runner-up in the G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket on Friday afternoon. “He's got good form, is still unexposed and likes fast ground so will be ideal for Qatar,” he added. The half-brother to European champion 3-year-old sprinter Mince (GB) (Medicean {GB}) has won his last two starts over sprint trips at Haydock and Bath for breeder Lady Rothschild and is rated 85.

Lot 644, the Juddmonte filly Isostatic (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) may yet take to the track after being bought by breeder Dwayne Woods of Brook Stud near Newmarket. The juvenile half-sister to Group 2 winner Deportivo (GB) (Night Shift) is unraced to date. “We don't have any of this family, but there is black-type all down the page,” said Woods. “She's a sweet filly. We will take her home and assess her – she might go back into training.” With yearlings now in the early stages of preparation for forthcoming fixtures at Arqana and Doncaster next month, Tattersalls' headquarters in Newmarket will remain quiet until the premier European auction, the three-book October Sale, begins its two-week run on October 6.