THE 2026 Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale got off to a strong start on Tuesday, even if the figures so far are some way behind last year's record-breaking numbers.
As business neared a close on Tuesday evening, the clearance rate was running at 85% and the average price at €41,688 - just 4% behind last year's record opening session.
The leading buyer on day one was Manor House Stables, owned by Michael Owen and the base of trainer Hugo Palmer. Assisted by agent Ed Sackville, they spent €537,000 on five yearlings and this included the day's sale-topper, a colt by Chaldean who cost €210,000 from Rathbarry Stud.
"The three of us thought he is an incredibly nice colt," said Sackville, standing with Palmer and Owen after outbidding Ken Condon. "I think anytime you have what you perceive to be a nice horse you have to expect to pay!"
Palmer added: "What excites me about Chaldean is that he, like Frankel, was champion two-year-old. This sale has been so good to me as a trainer – my first stakes winner came from here, then there has also been Galileo Girl, Hawksmoor, Adaay Of Scarlett, Sale Shark. I love the fact that we can come here and feel that we can buy any horse in nthe ring, which we can't really do at any other sale.
"It means we feel that we can buy the horses that we think are the best horses, whether they will be or not, but we feel we can. We're coming here with a good chance."
Paul Cashman of Rathbarry Stud said: "I didn't see that coming! I was hoping, and with the interest in him, we thought he might make six figures, but I didn't think he'd make double six figures! There were some great people on him and I am delighted with where he is going.
"We bought the mare for 70,000gns and we covered her with Chaldean – what a first foal and he has always been a strong individual. It is a lovely cross. There are exciting times ahead, she had a Kodi Bear foal this year and is in-foal to Unquestionable."
Bloodstock agent Alex Elliott was also among the day's leading buyers and his haul was headed by a €160,000 Sea The Stars filly from Castledillon Stud. Elliott was acting on behalf of owners Valmont and the filly will be trained by Joseph O'Brien.
"A Sea The Stars in this sale is obviously going to stand out and I think she has been well placed here," said Elliott. "I thought she was a very sweet filly, and the cross works well with Dubawi."
"She was at the top of where we had her. I don't see her as a later type, she is February foal and is well put together – I don't think we will be waiting all year for her."
The filly was bred by Christopher Hanbury out of Snigger, a daughter of the Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Laugh Out Loud, dam of a Grade 2 winner and listed winner.
Ballylinch Stud sold a New Bay half-brother to recent Ascot maiden winner San Jose for €150,000 to agent Oliver St Lawrence, acting on behalf of trainer Sir Mark Prescott.
St Lawrence said: "That was all of the budget and I need to go and ring Sir Mark's office to tell them. We saw the horse twice this morning and loved him, we love the pedigree. He is a nice type of horse and New Bay is a sire we like."
Trained by Brian Meehan, San Jose is a twice-raced son of Blackbeard and won his last start at Ascot at the beginning of September. He holds an entry in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes.
The dam Abilene (Samum) has bred four winners, including the listed winner Pintara and the Group 2-placed Juan De Montalban.
Part 1 of the sale continues on Wednesday.