THERE’S a little sadness in realising that the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale has rolled around again. The five-day sale starts on Monday.

It’s a clear sign that the turf season in these islands has all but ended. It’s time to say farewell and thank you to the 1,700 horses in the catalogue who have either entertained or enraged us during the season.

Some of them will no doubt pop up again as Group 1 winners in Australia, like Just Fine. He was a 91-rated handicapper for Sir Michael Stoute when he was sold at this sale a year ago for 300,000gns. Now he is one of the favourites for the Melbourne Cup.

Others in the catalogue will stay in the Anglo-Irish ecosystem but change trainers and find a new lease of life. Think Astro King (36,000gns), winner of the Cambridgeshire for the Kublers, or Ayr Gold Cup winner Significantly, a 50,000gns transfer to the Julie Camacho yard.

According to Tattersalls, this sale has produced 85 individual group and listed winners since 2020, including eight Group 1 winners.

In recent years buyers from the Middle East, Australia and the US have dominated the top-end of the market at this sale. But Irish buyers have had plenty of luck fishing among the lesser lights and it often pays to note the names of horses snapped up by the likes of Gordon Elliott, Shark Hanlon, Shamrock Thoroughbreds, Richard O’Brien and Charles Byrnes. Denis Hogan bought 15 here last year, while James McAuley’s Hilltop Racing made 13 purchases (including this year’s dual winner Sunday Sovereign for 9,000gns) and it will be interesting to see if they are back for more.

Mick Appleby and the Horse Watchers are another shrewd outfit to follow at this sale.

Coolmore entries

At time of writing Coolmore has over 40 horses still engaged, many of them unraced. The one-time classic prospects Alexandroupolis and Denmark catch the eye, along with listed winner Salt Lake City and last-time-out winners The Caribbean and Cape Bridgewater. Ballsbridge (second at Naas last Saturday) and the handicapper Subzero and Caracci are others who will command interest.

Godolphin has 36 entries, including a few from André Fabre whose draft often prove popular with jumping trainers. Multiple listed winner Parchemin and the six-year-old Galileo gelding Postileo look the stars of the Godolphin draft. Trained by Roger Varian for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, Postileo is rated 105.

Juddmonte is selling 15 horses and, again, there are some nice French ones in here, notably Halfway Line, a three-year-old by Zoffany who has never been out of the first three in six lifetime starts. The Dermot Weld-trained Genuine Article - placed last weekend - is another notable Juddmonte cast-off.

As usual, Baroda Stud and The Castlebridge Consignment are handling the majority of Irish entries, from a wide range of trainers. Castlebridge also have care of some very interesting British-trained entries including this week’s promising all-weather two-year-old winner Tchaikovsky.

Bill Dwan’s agency also offers Audience (second in the Group 2 Park Stakes) and Lord Massusus (second in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes).

Steve Parkyn’s Clipper Logistics are selling 36 under the Dullingham Park banner, Sir Mark Prescott has 15 engaged, Andy Oliver sells 10 and there are six from Moyglare Stud.

Trainers Richard Hannon, Charlie Hills, Charlie Johnston, Tim Easterby, Kevin Ryan, Andrew Balding and Richard Fahey have big drafts, and there’s nine coming from trainer James Horton who is moving on from John Dance’s Manor House Stables.

Sir Michael Stoute sends the prolific blacktype winner Solid Stone while John Feane is selling the in-form Indigo Five.

The William Haggas consignment contains last Saturday’s York premier handicap winner Montassib and this year’s Irish Lincoln winner Lattam, along with smart staying handicappers Post Impressionist and Lordship. Those with soft ground form might be passed over by American, Australian and Middle East buyers, creating an opportunity for Irish and British value-seekers.

Haggas is also sending the two-year-old Loose Cannon, a son of Territories who won on debut at York before finishing third in the Group 3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes.

Sale Info

Sale: Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale at Newmarket.

Dates/times: Monday, October 23rd to Friday, October 27th (9.30am each day)

Lots: 1,750 (170 withdrawn at time of writing)

Tel: 0044 1638 665931

Email: sales@tattersalls.com

Web: tattersalls.com