TWO lots shared top billing at the opening session of the four-day Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale on Monday. The two-year-old Sincil Bank was first to make his mark and the David Simcock-trained son of Hat Trick will now head to continue his career in Hong Kong.

First past the post but disqualified on his debut, he won at the second time of asking on the all-weather at Newcastle and finished third on his turf debut next time out. Bought for £32,000 at the Goffs UK Breeze-Up in April, he cost Alastair Donald 270,000gns when the agent fought off the determined under bidder Stephen Hillen.

Donald said of his purchase: “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.”

A couple of hours later, and near the end of the day, trainer Roger Charlton was among those trying to buy Imperial Aviator, a most consistent sort for his stable, The three-year-old son of Paco Boy is also set for export, this time to join Gai Waterhouse in Australia. Johnny McKeever, in company with Waterhouse’s assistant Adrian Bott, had the final say at 270,000gns for the dual winner.

“He’s a gorgeous horse, the outstanding lot of the day,” said McKeever. “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 stakes horses Glencadam Gold and Offer; let’s hope the luck continues with this horse.”

Johnny Murtagh won a listed race at Dundalk recently with Ballygallon Stud’s Hawke, a four-year-old gelded son of Oratorio, and he was also group-placed in the Desmond Stakes. Watched by his owner and trainer, the gelding’s price soared until the hammer fell at 260,000gns in favour of Prince Sultan bin Mohammed. Yet another who will have his passport stamped for export, the gelding now heads to Saudi Arabia to target the prestigious King’s Cup.

Winning a listed race over a mile at Chantilly earlier in the month enhanced the sale prospects of Bravo Zolo, a three-year-old son of Rip Van Winkle offered from Jeremy Noseda’s yard. With a BHA rating of 104 he was an obvious target for the Dubai Carnival and Anthony Stroud had the final say for him at 170,000gns.

Another by Rip Van Winkle to cause a stir was his Group 1 winning son Dick Whittington. In addition to landing the Phoenix Stakes for Team Ballydoyle he won Group 3 races at the Curragh and Leopardstown. Luke Comer signed for the four-year-old at 150,000gns and revealed that he will retire to stand at one of his eight farms in Ireland.

Keith Dalgleish sent the two-year-old Poet’s Voice colt Souter out to win or place in all his starts and the 34,000gns yearling buy became a 130,000gns purchase by Tim Cohen to race in California. Alastair Donald accompanied Cohen who signed as Red Baron’s Barn & Rancho Tellescal. Souter was the first lot of the day to reach six-figures.

Jamie Railton acted as agent for the sale of Imperial Aviator on behalf of Qatar Racing and he was responsible for another couple of six-figure lots on the day. Bellajeu was the best priced filly when she sold to BBA Ireland’s Richard Fitzsimons for an undisclosed European client at 140,000gns. A winner again before the sale and placed in a listed race, she was trained for Qatar Racing and partners by Ralph Beckett. She had been a 300,000gns yearling buy.

Railton also consigned Landwade Lad and he was another purchase for Red Baron’s Barn & Ranch Tellescal when selling for 100,000ggs. The four-year-old son of Dansili won last year and again in 2016 and has placed no less than 11 times.

Marco Botti sold a pair of six-figure lots. The three-year-old Fastnet Rock colt Rasmee had an important update as he won over 12 furlongs at Newcastle before the sale and Richard Tedstone paid 115,000gns to secure him. Meanwhile the four-year-old Paco Boy gelding Azraff fell to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for 100,000gns after he won three times for the stable.

Stephen Hillen netted a big lot on behalf of Fitri Hay when he paid 100,000gns for the five-year-old Oasis Fantasy. A three-time winner and placed a dozen times in 26 starts, he leaves Ed Dunlop’s yard and transfers to David Simcock.

SackvilleDonald completed a private sale to acquire Life Less Ordinary from Jamie Osborne. A recent winner of a two-mile handicap at Ascot, bringing his career score to four, his rating rose to 92 and he cost 100,000gns.

By Thewayyouare, sire of Osborne’s Toast Of New York, the four-year-old gelding has won on the turf and the all-weather.