THE two-day Part 1 of the 2026 Tattersalls Ireland September Sale drew to a close after 9pm on Wednesday. Two marathon days of selling, some 11 hours each, ended with a flourish, with the second-best price ever for a yearling, and a new record established for a filly.

Last year’s sale was one of the standouts of the year, posting as it did increases in turnover, average and median of about 50% in each case. With the state of international relations, economic conditions and the various challenges affecting racing currently, there was a degree of nervousness as vendors faced into the week. A major push by the sales team at Tattersalls Ireland, and by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, ensured that there was no shortage on buyers on the ground.

Vendors reported record showings for their stock on the weekend before selling, helped by good weather which did not hinder viewings. The market was strong for the better lots, and vendors who sent some of their better stock for sale reported their delight at the prices they obtained. While the clearance rate was the best of any major yearling sale held this year, it could not match that of last year, and it was horses at the lower end that suffered most.

That said, 440 lots sold in Part 1 of the sale in 2025, and the number was exactly the same this year. The major contributor to the lower clearance rate was therefore the extra lots catalogued. The median was the only metric that recorded a significant fall, while both the aggregate and average tantalisingly got to within 2% of the record-smashing numbers from last September.

Simon Kerins

“We have experienced exceptionally strong trade throughout the two-days, further reinforcing the September Yearling Sale’s position as the most progressive yearling sale in the calendar”, commented the Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins after the conclusion of Part 1. He added: “While last year’s record-breaking turnover of €18.7 million represented an outstanding benchmark and was always going to be hard to match, nonetheless we went so close to reaching those heady heights.

“This year we have seen significant progress across a number of key indicators, underlining the continued growth and stature of this sale. Thirty-three yearlings realised €100,000 or more, beating last year’s record figure of 25. We achieved a new high for the number of lots selling for €200,000 and above, while a record price for a filly was established at €245,000. These figures are a clear reflection of the depth, quality and continued demand for the stock presented. The clearance rate, despite the extra numbers catalogued,was impressive at 87%.

“I was confident that we had assembled our strongest September Yearling Sale catalogue to date and the results over the past two days have more than justified that confidence. The consistent demand for quality yearlings, together with the depth of competition at all levels of the market, demonstrates the strength of both the catalogue and the sale itself.

“The presence of Ireland’s leading owners, trainers and bloodstock professionals, alongside buyers from a broad range of international racing jurisdictions, contributed significantly to the exceptional trade. The continued support from UK-based agents and trainers was particularly encouraging and further highlights the sale’s growing reputation as a strong source of high-class graduates.

Quality yearlings

“Equally encouraging were the strength and diversity of the buying bench. Competition for quality yearlings remained consistent throughout the sale and it is particularly pleasing to see new and returning buyers actively participating across all levels of the market. I would like to thank our vendors for their continued confidence and support.

“Demand for places in the sale was stronger than ever before, reflecting the increasing esteem in which the September Yearling Sale is held. More breeders and consignors are recognising the opportunities it provides and are choosing to offer some of their best stock here and are ultimately being well rewarded.

“I would also like to acknowledge the valuable contribution of the team at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, whose collaboration with our own marketing department has helped attract a broad buying bench from around the world. Their efforts have played an important role in broadening the international reach of the sale and enhancing competition across the catalogue.”

All lots sold or bought in under the hammer are eligible for the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes 2027, set to be staged at the Curragh next September. The race carries a minimum prize fund guarantee of €250,000 and offers prize money to tenth place.

Study Of Man colt thrills the ring

IF the Forenaghts Stud crew had a more subdued expectation of the colt’s value, potential buyers had another. The whispers around the sale complex were that something special was about to be offered, and the ring on Wednesday was packed for his entrance.

Buoyed also by a win for his two-year-old half-sister, making him a sibling now to a pair of juvenile winners, the son of Study Of Man was out of a winning half-sister to the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes heroine Lucida, who had been knocking on the door of a top-level win, having been runner-up in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes and 1000 Guineas, and placed in both the Coronation Stakes and the Pretty Polly Stakes.

This is a family that traces back to Committed, a champion sprinter who won the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp twice and the Nunthorpe Stakes. She bred a Grade 1 winner, and is also grandam of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner English Channel, now a prominent turf sire in the USA. Committed was trained by Dermot Weld, with whom Forenaghts owner Tony Smurfit and his father Michael had a strong relationship over many years.

Mill Reef winner

The weekend before the sale, Forenaghts had cause to celebrate after the Night Of Thunder colt they bred. Nabati, an 850,000gns yearling sale to Godolphin, won the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes. Watching a horse that you planned the mating for, foaled and reared to a yearling stage, is even more agonising to watch, and Forenaghts manager Caoimhe Doherty took a position overlooking the ring to watch the sale unfold. She was in shock as she watched while Alastair Pim drained every cent he could from the auditorium, the gavel falling at €330,000.

It took a while for the bidder, who was online, to become known, and it was later revealed to be the trainer Paddy Twomey. This has become a popular means for him to bid, He was acting for Charlie Bond for whom he won the Group 3 Weld Stakes last year with Black Caviar Gold, while a more recent success was on the eve of the sale when the combination won the Listed Blenheim Stakes at Fairyhouse with Big Negotiator.

The popular Doherty was soon swamped with congratulations. “Oh my god, it’s unbelievable, totally unexpected. He is a beautiful horse; I am absolutely thrilled, especially for everyone on the farm. We have always done well here; it’s been a lucky sale for us, and good horses have come out of it. I’m over the moon. I lost count after 200 views.

Dream week

“I’m a bit shocked! This has been a dream week; first with Nabati winning the Mill Reef and now this. I’m so thrilled. Tony and his wife Sharon have been in the game a long time and have worked really hard at this. It’s so good for them that they’re finally being rewarded. I’m thrilled for the farm and all the team; we’re only a small team but everyone works so hard.

“Tony really wanted to use Study Of Man. He’s a horse we followed for a while and we bought one in training and had a lot of fun with. Luceita [the colt’s dam], who we bought from a Godolphin draft [90,000gns], has been nothing but good to us. We thought it was a good cross on paper and it’s worked. Then we got the update as well; everything just came together. I thought he might make €100,000 and a little bit with it. I’m biased, I love all our yearlings, but it’s so nice when other people like them too. I hope he’s a star.”

Twomey spoke on the telephone afterwards: “I have had one Study Of Man and that was Deepone, who was the sire’s first winner and won the Beresford Stakes three years ago this weekend. He was a highly talented horse and I am delighted to have secured this colt. Charlie Bond is doing a fantastic job and has great enthusiasm for the game.

“He has a good colt, City Of Dubai, who could run in the Beresford [today], which he sponsors. We have an aligned vision and Charlie is backing me to try and achieve it. Hopefully, we can continue going from strength to strength and achieve the goals we have set.”