FOR many in the bloodstock business, Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale is the true barometer of the industry’s strength.

The three-day sale, which starts next Monday in Newmarket, sees 800 middle to high-end yearlings go through the ring. The average price over the past five years has been approximately 75,000gns and the median has been very solid at either 50,000gns or 55,000gns.

Given the relative strength of the yearling sales so far this season, it would be a surprise to see a dip in the Book 2 prices next week.

Book 3 has 612 lots catalogued and will take place on Thursday and Friday, October 14th and 15th, while Book 4 has a further 98 yearlings selling on the morning of Saturday, October 16th.

The star of the horses sold at last year’s sale was Ebro River. Consigned by Tally-Ho Stud, the son of Galileo Gold cost just 75,000gns and is now a Group 1 winner. Amazingly, last year’s Tally-Ho consignment to Book 2 also included two Group 2 winners in Lusail and Caturra, while dual Group 1 winner Perfect Power was bought back by Tally-Ho’s Roger O’Callaghan for only 16,000gns!

The Mullingar nursery sends 31 yearlings to next week’s edition and their stallion Kodiac has 42 representatives in the catalogue, which is more than any other sire.

The 2021 catalogue features own or half-brothers and sisters to 167 group and listed winners, including the Cracksman half-brother to European champion older horse Al Kazeem, and the Gleneagles half-brother to classic winner Precieuse.

Further siblings to Group/Grade 1 winners catalogued include the Kingman half-brother to Middle Park winner Charming Thought, the Showcasing half-brother to Queen Anne Stakes winner Accidental Agent, and full-brothers to Margot Did and River Boyne, alongside half-sisters to Librisa Breeze and La Pelosa, by Frankel and Muhaarar respectively.

Group 2 winners Sandrine and Asymmetric are amongst the leading two year olds in Britain this season and both have half-brothers catalogued, by Roaring Lion and Gleneagles respectively, as does this year’s dual Group 1 runner-up Dragon Symbol, whose half-brother is by Adaay.

In addition there are 113 sons and daughters of group and listed race-winning mares catalogued, including the Churchill colt out of the champion racemare Islington, the Pivotal colt of Group 1 winner Allegretto and daughters of Group/Grade 1 winners Dynaforce and Voleuse De Coeurs, by Cracksman and National Defense respectively.

There are 16 first-crop sires represented including classic and/or Group 1 winners Cracksman, Expert Eye, Harry Angel, Havana Grey, Justify, Lightning Spear, Roaring Lion, Saxon Warrior, Sioux Nation, U S Navy Flag and Unfortunately, in addition to 25 yearlings from the first northern hemisphere-bred crop of champion Australian sire Zoustar.

Top French-based sires Le Havre and Siyouni have 19 yearlings catalogued between them, with USA-based sires Kitten’s Joy, More Than Ready and Uncle Mo also represented.

Book 3 follows immediately after Book 2, starting next Thursday and concluding on Friday and numbers 612 lots. Book 4 comprises an additional 98 lots and will take place on Saturday morning.

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said: “The second week of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale is the focus for so many yearling buyers from throughout Europe and further afield and the demand for places has enabled us to assemble outstanding catalogues which, as ever, will showcase so many of the best British and Irish-bred yearlings and will cater for all sectors of the market.”