IN the Big Interview last week, John O’Connor stated: “I think people are gradually starting to understand that stamina is a very valuable resource,” and it has been clear to see in the increased numbers of visitors to the BBAG Yearling Sale in recent years.

Sun Chariot Stakes heroine Tamfana has been among those flying a flag for German breeding and their flagship sale, and it was the man who sourced her for €20,000, Jeremy Brummitt, who signed for the 2026 top lot last Friday, a daughter of Sea The Stars costing €600,000.

Tamfana carried the colours of Quantum Leap Racing before reselling to MV Magnier for 2,600,000gns, but Brummitt’s latest selection was bought on behalf of Newsells Park Racing Syndicate 27. The British farm, now owned by Graham Smith-Bernal, has previously enjoyed great success with German bloodlines, best demonstrated when breeding Waldgeist with Gestut Ammerland.

The breeding shed, after a hopefully successful time on the track, is the eventual aim for the Sea The Stars filly offered by Gestut Ebbesloh. Named Saxifraga, the February-born bay is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Santa Catarina (Zarak) and is the second foal out of dual stakes winner Sconset (Soldier Hollow).

Prix Jacques le Marois victor Al Wukair, Prix de Diane heroine Caerlina and Group 1 performer Salutino feature further down the page of Ebbesloh’s star offering. The farm sold four of five lots offered for a total of €1,150,000, which earned them leading vendor status, despite selling less lots than their eight nearest rivals.

Brummitt is already dreaming about the top lot’s future as a broodmare, telling GaloppOnline.de: “Nothing is closer to my heart than trying to buy the dams of classic winners.”

Record figures

The agent returned to the same quality draft when giving €280,000 for a colt by Farhh, bought on behalf of exuberant owner Clive Washbourn. The following day, Farhh’s daughter Tiffany followed up her German Group 1 win with a valuable success in a Keeneland Grade 2.

Washbourn’s recruit, names Goldlack, has the added appeal of being a full-brother to Global Health, a Group 3 winner earlier this year. They hail from the family of Ebbesloh’s homebred Group 1 winner Girolamo.

Brummitt also purchased two for Tamfana’s owners Quantum Leap Racing and another for Peter Trainor. All in all, the British agent signed for five yearlings totalling €1,145,000.

International buyers helped to bring the sale turnover to a record high of €9,316,000. It marked a 9% increase on last year, when figures improved substantially from 2024, and last week’s average and median prices remained on par at €55,124 and 55,425.

The clearance rate of 81% was another historical best for the sale, indicating that vendors were generally satisfied with demand, even if the number of six-figure sales dropped from 25 to 18.

Another significant milestone was achieved when Juddmonte made their first purchase at the venue, giving €460,000 for a Frankel half-brother to German Derby heroes Windstoss and Welstar.

Gestut Rottgen’s homebred is a half-brother to another two Group 3 winners, out of a half-sister to Group 1 victor Well Made, while the second dam Well Known captured both the German 1000 Guineas and German Oaks. Two lots fetched €260,000, with Gestut Brummerhof’s Sea The Stars filly out ot German Oaks winner Diamanta knocked down to Meridian International, while A-Turf signed for Gestut Hof Ittlingen’s Camelot filly out of a multiple stakes winner.

Three yearlings are set to make the trip to David Marnane’s Bansha base, after Amy Marnane secured two for owner Paul Rooney, as well as a €55,000 filly for MRC International. At €210,000, her most expensive purchase was a Baaeed brother to stakes winners, namely Derby Italiano winner Goldenas (Golden Horn).

The Rubaiyat filly bought for Marnane’s syndicate is a half-sister to two group performers, out of a Galileo daughter of Janet, a dual Grade 1 winner in the US. Connections got off the mark when giving €55,000 for a colt by Adlerflug’s Arc hero Torquator Tasso.

The Gestut Auenquelle sire’s second crop proved popular throughout trade, with buyers encouraged by his juvenile’s promising start, despite their sire improving with age. Twenty of his 21 yearlings sold, with three bought by Highflyer Bloodstock’s Anthony Bromley and Joseph O’Brien.

Stall Mandarin bought the most expensive Torquator Tasso, giving €140,000 for a half-brother to four group performers, while Alex Elliott gave €110,000 for a relation to Rekindling on behalf of Spicer Thoroughbreds.