Record October Aggregate Despite Low-Key Book 3
There was a low-key finale to the first three books of Tattersalls’ blockbuster October Yearling Sale in Newmarket Friday, with a session-topping Bahamian Bounty (GB) filly heading the way of Simon Crisford at 35,000gns.
Turnover for the day stood at 1,795,200gns at an average price of 8,253gns (-17%) and median of 5,500gns (-21%), and the lowest clearance rate of the sale at 74%. The two final days of trade brought a sharp fall in figures for Book 3 as a whole, with the aggregate down by 12% at 6,335,900gns, despite 47 more horses changing hands, at an average price of 13,118gns (-20%), with median of 9,000gns (-22%). The clearance rate dropped by 7% to 79%.
The tally, however, brought a new record October Sale aggregate of 131,494,400gns traded for 1,536 yearlings over a long fortnight–104 more than in 2014. A larger catalogue, which saw 219 more horses indexed for the three books, meant that the turnover rose by 2% but other sectors felt the pinch owing to that increase. The average for all three books dropped by 5% to 85,608gns and the median by 11% to 40,000gns with a clearance rate of 81%.
Chairman Edmond Mahony commented, “While Book 3 of the 2015 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has not been able to match last year’s record levels, there have been plenty of highlights over the course of the past two weeks encompassing Books 1 to 3. The upper end of the market has been extremely robust from start to finish. Book 1 produced the highest-priced auction yearling in the world for the fourth consecutive year and a record 152 lots selling for 200,000 guineas or more. Similarly, there was a new wide-margin record price of 725,000 guineas in Book 2 and a record 121 yearlings selling for 100,000 guineas or more.”
He added, “Demand for quality, commercial yearlings has also carried on through Book 3, which produced a record top-price of 115,000 guineas. The total turnover for Books 1 to 3 has exceeded 130 million guineas for the first time, and the combined clearance rate over eight days of yearling sales has been more than 80%.”
“At the end of Book 2 we reflected on some of the challenges resulting from the larger numbers in all three books,” Mahony continued. “In total we catalogued 219 more yearlings than last year, which is the second-largest number ever, and without doubt this has led to a more selective market at the lower levels than last year. Nevertheless, we have sold an unprecedented number of yearlings, which yet again demonstrates the enduring global demand for quality British and Irish bloodstock and is tribute to the outstanding professionalism of our vendors.”
The final day’s session-topper (lot 1858), who was consigned by Maurice Burns’s Rathasker Stud, is out of a winning half-sister to Group 3 winner Ela Athena (GB) (Ezzoud {Ire}), the dam of today’s G2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup runner Pallasator (GB) (Motivator {GB}). Chasing her home was a first-crop son of Foxwedge (Aus) (lot 2084) from the Mickley Stud draft and bought by John Kilbride of Kilbride Equine for 33,000gns. The sharp-looking colt out of three-time winner Suzie Quw (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) could be seen back at Tattersalls for next year’s breeze-up sale.
The Heart of the South Racing syndicate added a Poet’s Voice colt (lot 1850) to the team of runners for 2016, going to 32,000gns to secure the Jamie Railton-consigned half-brother to six winners. Also among the day’s leaders were two yearlings by Sir Percy (GB), with Marcus Tregoning signing for lot 1952, a brother to his 86-rated winning 3-year-old Perceus (GB), at 32,000gns, and Bill Gredley going to the same price for lot 1964, Southcourt Stud’s half-sister to multiple Hong Kong winner Happy Crusader (Ire).
There is one final part of the October Yearling Sale to come– the 63-lot Book 4. This takes place during the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 29, following the Horses-in-Training Sale that starts Monday, Oct. 26.