THE 2021 Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale concluded with the third highest turnover in its history, and a satisfactory clearance rate of 82%. Other encouraging returns for the median and average were a cause of some relief and pleasure for the company’s chairman.

In his post-sale statement Edmond Mahony commented: “A median bettered only once this decade, combined with an average and turnover which both compare favourably with the 2019 and 2020 renewals, are all positives to take from the sale, as has been the consistent domestic demand at all levels of the market.

“Similarly, while not quite matching the unprecedented levels at the recent Craven Breeze Up Sale, the clearance rate has also held up well, especially considering a significantly larger catalogue than usual and the disruption to overseas participation owing to the current widespread travel restrictions.

“We can also reflect on another sale which has underlined the importance of the Tattersalls live internet bidding platform which has yet again proved to be invaluable, particularly for overseas buyers unable to attend the sale. Covid continues to test us all, but once more we have experienced trade of remarkable resilience and a collective determination from all involved to explore every avenue to provide as vibrant a market as possible in the face of considerable obstacles.”

Last week we reported on the sale of Glending’s son of Postponed for 135,000gns, but after going to press two more lots joined the group of three juveniles who sold for six-figure sums.

Best of the additional pair was the sale of Nanallac Stud’s son of Mehmas to David Redvers for 105,000gns, and that was one bid more than the 100,000gns it took to purchase the wildcard entry, Knockanglass Stables’ Exceed And Excel colt who was signed for in a private transaction by Jamie Piggott Bloodstock.

The latter is a half-brother to four winners, all the runners from his Acclamation dam Shyrl who ran second, beaten a neck, in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. Her winners include the listed winner and multiple group-placed Raucous.

What a pinhook success for Irish trio

THE Mehmas colt out of the Milk It Mick mare Cheworee was knocked down to David Redvers for 105,000gns on behalf of Sheikh Fahad.

The colt’s sire, who stands at Tally-Ho Stud, has enjoyed a sensational start to his stud career and Redvers said: “He will be trained in Newmarket. Sheikh Fahad wants to see him trained locally and close by. The horse did a very good time, he is by a very good sire and he is a lovely model. It is a great touch for the vendor.”

The vendor was Irish-based National Hunt jockey Ian McCarthy who owned him with two friends, Derek McCormack and Denise Callanan of Nanallac Stud. The trio purchased him as a foal for €3,000 as a yearling pinhook prospect, but that plan failed to come to fruition.

“It is lucky enough now that he was not sold as a yearling [for €9,000],” smiled McCarthy after the colt went through the ring. “I prepped him for us; he has been very straightforward. As time went on he just developed, he got much stronger, and through the last eight weeks he has really turned a corner. He takes his work well.”

“He is a horse who has had a great preparation and we’ve liked him all along,” continued McCarthy. “We’ve had plenty of interest in the last couple of days. He did a lovely breeze ridden by Micky Cleere and he is by the right sire, isn’t he?”

After the sale Denise Callanan added to the story. “He recorded the fastest time at the breeze up. It was a great result to sell him for 105,000gns.

“Derek and Alisha McCormack bought him as a foal, and they asked me to consign him at the Tattersalls Ireland September Sale. I advised Derek not to give him away too cheap as I thought he would turn into a sharp type, and the sire was showing great potential.

“He was unsold in the ring so I said to Derek that we would come up with a plan. I rang Ian McCarthy and asked him if he’d like to get involved as we are neighbours. The horse came to me at Nanallac until after Christmas and then Ian took over and prepped him at Grangecoor Farm.

“The horse was so genuine the whole way through. He did everything right from the start and the improvement was phenomenal. We are really looking forward to seeing what the future holds for him. A genuine, willing attitude is definitely a big plus in a racehorse and that’s what he has.

“Big thanks also to Mark Gallagher who was his work rider at home. I think we will have to go again!”