Record-Setting Day At Tattersalls

NEWMARKET, UK–There was strong trade on the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale on Wednesday, with 23 lots sold for 100,000gns or more. This was the highest-grossing day ever at this sale with an aggregate of 10,799,600gns, a rise of 12% from last year. The median increased by 29%, while the average rose 15% to 38,708gns. There were 322 lots offered, and a clearance rate of 87%, the only drop in figures by 2%.

The top lot of the day was the listed-winning, Group 3-placed Solomon's Bay (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) (lot 1136). He was bought by Chantilly-based agent Rupert Pritchard-Gordon for 390,000gns. Pritchard-Gordon said, “The idea is to go to Hong Kong. He has plenty of speed, which will suit the program over there and he should have plenty of options open to him. He's a very consistent horse who hasn't been over-raced and he came here in great shape.” Solomon's Bay was trained by Roger Varian, who consigned him from his Carlburg Stables. He is out of the Sadler's Wells mare Gentle On My Mind (Ire), from the family of champion 3-year-old filly Taghrooda (GB). The attractive chestnut colt won on his latest start over six furlongs, and carries an official rating of 105.

Pritchard-Gordon, the buyer of eventual Group 3 winner Convey (GB) (Dansili {GB}) from this sale last year, also signed for Melting Dew (GB) (Cacique {Ire}) (lot 1096) at 310,000gns from the Juddmonte consignment. Underbidders included Guy Mulcaster and Anthony Stroud. Pritchard-Gordon said, “He's going to be staying in England. We will probably geld him and look to the mile and a half heritage handicaps next year. This family improves with age. He's a good stamp of a horse.” The scopey 3-year-old was trained by Sir Michael Stoute, and was second in the Appletiser S. (Heritage Handicap) on Sept. 9. He is a three-parts brother to Group 1 winner Winsili (GB) (Dansili {GB}), and from the family of recent winner of the G1 Prix Royal Oak, Ice Breeze (GB) (Nayef).

Juddmonte, whose consignment is consistently one of the highlights of this sale, also sold Hyde Park (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) (lot 1085) for 210,000gns. He was bought by Anthony Stroud, who said “He fitted the profile for Dubai. He was recommend by the trainer and he's a nice horse.” This blue-blooded Juddmonte family is that of globetrotting Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}), a multiple Group 1 winner, and this year's star filly Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}).

Again from the Juddmonte draft, Ted Voute struck on behalf of Prince Faisal Bin Khalid for lot 1103, Pharaonic (GB) (Dansili {GB}), a half-brother to Classic winner New Bay (GB). He had to go to 230,000gns to secure the dual winner who heads to Saudi Arabia. Voute had bought Alwahsh (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 857) earlier in the day for the same owner and destination. He paid 260,000gns for the winning colt out of the Galileo (Ire) mare Gile Na Greine (Ire), who was third in the G1 1000 Guineas.

Alwahsh was consigned by Shadwell Stud, and was trained by William Haggas. Voute said, “He's a beautiful horse, and hopefully one for the King's Cup. He stays the mile and a quarter and has the rating needed to get into the race. Pharaonic is another one for the King's Cup. He was with Andre Fabre, who trains Le Brivido (Fr) (Siyouni {GB}) for the Prince, and he recommended him.”

Earlier in the afternoon, Guy Mulcaster signed for the second-highest lot of the day on behalf of Chris Waller. They bought the progressive Brimham Rocks (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) (lot 873) at 340,000gns, having been underbidder on several high-profile lots earlier in the week. He will head down to Australia. “It's been a struggle to get one this week” said Mulcaster, “He'll go back into the system, we'll see how he acclimatises and take it step by step. There's no big targets set for him as yet. We've been following him and we tried to buy him in August but couldn't, but we were lucky enough to be able to buy him here.”

The 3-year-old gelding was consigned by trainer Ralph Beckett from his Kimpton Down Stables, for whom he won four times, winning since the catalogue was printed at York over 1m6f. He is out of Colina (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}), who was listed-placed and is a half-sister to two stakes-winning horses.

Waller and Mulcaster signed for six lots during the day, including Naval Warfare (lot 957), a colt by Born to Sea (Ire) for 160,000gns.

By the hugely popular sire Dark Angel (Ire), the 108-rated Frozen Angel (Ire) (lot 997) sold for 335,000gns to former Hong Kong trainer Sean Woods. He was consigned by Manor House Stables, where he was trained by Tom Dascombe for a partnership that included footballer Michael Owen. The 2-year-old colt is Group 2-placed, finishing second in the Prix Robert Papin at Maisons Laffitte. His dam, Cut No Ice (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}), is a half-sister to multiple black-type horses, including the speedy Pipalong (Ire) (Pips Pride {GB}), winner of the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup.

Alastair Donald was back in action today when signing for Morando (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) (lot 1131) for 290,000gns. “He's a lovely horse,” said Donald. “He's relatively lightly raced and a group performer. He could have some interesting international options open to him next year. He'll stay in training in England.” The grey gelding, who has an official rating of 112, won a listed race on his reappearance in July this year. He then went on to place in three Group 3 races in as many countries for trainer Roger Varian in the colours of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Another incumbent of the Varian stable, the winning filly Great Court (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) (lot 1139) was knocked down to David Redvers Bloodstock for 200,000gns. This improving filly is a half-sister to listed winner Kalahari Gold (Ire) and two stakes-producing mares. Hannah Wall, sitting with Sheikh Fahad Al-Thani, did the bidding and reported that the filly would be staying in training next year in search of some black-type. The same team struck again for lot 1185, Lisheen Castle (Ire). Sold for 185,000gns, this 2-year-old colt by Most Improved (Ire) was trained and consigned by John Quinn. He won on his debut in August before finishing second last week in a listed race on just his third lifetime start. He finished in front of Learn By Heart (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in fourth place, who sold yesterday for 160,000gns.