SPENDING at Tattersalls Ireland on Thursday breached the €2 million mark, only the second time that Part 2 of the September Yearling Sale has done so since it was established in 2014.
At 220 horses, this year’s Part 2 catalogue was 33% bigger than last year – and the aggregate grew by only 9% - but compared to any other year Thursday’s results are impressive. The average price (€11,719) and median (€9,000) are both the second highest recorded for this sale, failing only to match last year’s record levels.
Perhaps most importantly the clearance rate of over 85% was better than many would have expected on a day which caters for the more modestly-bred youngsters.
Thursday’s top price arrived late in the session, Italian bloodstock agent Valfredo Valiani paying €52,000 for a colt by Lope De Vega from The Castlebridge Consignment.
Out of a placed filly by Dansili, the colt is from a weak branch of a female line that has been prolific for Juddmonte, the one which produced dual Arc winner Enable.
"He is for an existing client," said Valiani. "I am not sure whether he will be going to Italy or France; we need to make some plans. I thought he was a lovely horse, very nice mover, and it is not easy to buy colts by Lope De Vega. I've bought 10 [yearlings] this week. There were nice horses here and they were selling for the right money."
Valiani was the day’s leading buyer, spending €91,000 on three horses. In terms of numbers, Eastern European agent Tomas Janda led the way with nine acquisitions, for a total outlay of €88,000/
Space Blues duo
A filly and colt by Kildangan Stud’s Space Blues filled the next two places on the top lots list.
Noralla Stud Farm in Cashel sold a Space Blue filly for €50,000. She is a half-sister to two winners from the family of Pivotal and Confidential Lady. The buyer was listed as Timerland Bloodstock and no further details were forthcoming.
Noralla Stud Farm’s Tina Dargan said: "We bought the mare carrying this filly, and the covering of Space Blues was attractive as we liked the cross. The Pivotal line on Space Blues we thought might get a fast two-year-old type, and that is what she is.
"She's just loved being up here, and she's done her job. We wanted to come to Tattersalls [Ireland] with her. We have always been lucky here, both with homebreds and pinhooks. So yes, we aimed for here and are delighted with that price. I think she is going to Marco Botti."
Acting for breeze-up operation Anderson Bloodstock, trainer Robson Aguiar saw off an Italian bidder to secure a Space Blues colt for €40,000. The colt was consigned by Ballygallon Stud whose manager James Byrne said: “It was more than we expected, but he deserved it as he is a fine, well-grown colt. He is going to very good connections”.
The colt is out of the three-year-old French winner Find It Within (by Teofilo) who raced three times, and she is dam of Siren (by Sea The Moon) who has won six races.
Good day for Tom Clover
Newmarket trainer Tom Clover had a great result on Thursday, landing the Group 3 Somerville Stakes at his local track with Fuel The Jet, another by Space Blues.
The trainer also made his mark at Fairyhouse, leaving instruction with agent Billy Jackson-Stops who secured a filly by Hurricane Lane for €35,000. Consigned by Baroda Stud, she is a half-sister to Clover’s classy stayer Tabletalk, who has plenty of stakes race form.
Clover reported: “I looked at her yesterday with Billy Jackson Stops and we liked her as a type. She is a good bodied filly with plenty of strength and looks a nice staying type for the future. Hurricane Lane was a very good racehorse. She has a pedigree, and it just makes a lot of sense. She has been bought on spec.”
At the conclusion of the sale, Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins commented: “The excellent trade witnessed across the last two days continued into Part 2, which saw consistent demand from the opening lot through to the finish, with turnover surpassing €2 million. Given the strength of the market on Tuesday and Wednesday, quite a few purchasers still had orders to fill, and a clearance rate of 85% highlights the strong demand that was existent throughout the day.
"A particular mention must go to our international clients who were present across all levels of the market today and played a big part in the success of the sale. We saw buyers from Poland, Czech Republic and Italy featuring prominently on the leading buyers table having had outstanding success with their previous purchases at this sale it was pleasing to see so many return to buy.
"Pinhookers were also busy ahead of the 2027 breeze-up sales, and earlier this year we saw a number of Part II graduates hitting the headlights in the sales ring. We look forward to seeing some of today’s yearlings back here at our record-breaking breeze-up Sale next May."