THE export of equine talent from British racing continued at Tattersalls on Wednesday when the top five lots at the August Sale were snapped up by buyers from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain (two), Australia and Dubai.

Operating, widely expected to be one of the top-priced lots, did not disappoint, the War Front three-year-old colt making 250,000gns.

A progressive sort, he has run five times and won twice for trainers John and Thady Gosden, and owners Michael Tabor, Mrs John Magnier, Derek Smith and Westerberg.

Successful over a mile in a maiden at Windsor and then at Nottingham off a BHA rating of 83, he finished sixth of 14 at York in the Sky Bet Mile Handicap off an official rating of 91. He has an entry in the Cambridgeshire.

Operating was bought on Wednesday by the Saudi-based Najd Stud, bidding via Jimmy George, who said: "The team has been following the sale at home, there was a few on a short list. He is a nice prospect and very much fits into the mould that the Najd Stud team has bought in the past."

Bahrain bound

Four-time winner Mr McCann, another three-year-old, is off to Bahrain, having been bought for 210,000gns by Alastair Donald of SackvilleDonald.

The Kodiac colt boats group race form when fourth in the Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen (German 2000 Guineas (G2)). He is BHA rated 101.

"They are hard to find – three-year-olds with that kind of rating and that kind of price," said Donald. "He is pretty rock solid, he goes on all ground, he is a god looking type and vets very well."

The five-time winner The Covex Kid has improved from a rating of 46 in May to 70 for trainer Amy Murphy. Now the son of Mehmas has been bought to continue his racing career in Bahrain, bought by HH Sultan Aldeen MS Al-Khalifa for 160,000gns.

Murphy said: "He has been an absolute dude of a horse, he is really straightforward, he has gone from strength to strength throughout the whole summer and I don't think he is finished here – it won't be the last we will hear of him.

"He has got a great constitution and a great racing brain. He loves fast ground, goes around a bend so well. I think Bahrain will be perfect for him."

Murphy added: "He has been owned by a syndicate. I am thrilled for them. They've all had a great kick out of the wins as well as a great payday today."

Australian purchase

Mostly Cloudy (by Harzand), who has won five races this spring and summer for rookie trainer Gemma Tutty, has been sold to go to Australia, bought by Mulcaster Racing.

Tutty had mixed emotions. "It is bitter sweet, my best horse gone, but it has been an amazing return and hopefully the owners will reinvest," she said. "He has really put me on the map, and done wonders for the profile of Kings Bloodstock and myself in finding him and buying him. With all these sales upcoming, it is the right time of year to be getting returns like this so we can reinvest and owners can have confidence that we can find them."

Tattersalls' Jimmy George, who was bidding on behalf of Guy Mulcaster, said: "Mostly Cloudy was bought very reasonably here at last year's Autumn Horses In Training Sale, and Gemma has done a great job with him. He ran up a sequence and Gemma very much deserves the success she has have had with him. He looks an ideal type to go on in Australia."

Dubai runner

Nationwide (by Exceed And Excel), who has won four races this year for owner-trainer John Butler and gone from a starter handicap mark of 77 in April to 93, wass bought by Oliver St Lawrence for Fawzi Nass.

Nass said: "He goes to Dubai, for myself and Sheikh Nasser's Victorious Racing. The horse should be suited by the dirt – he has shown good all-weather form. Hopefully he can transfer that to the dirt in Dubai. He will ship in three weeks' time."

SALE STATISTICS

(+/- compared to 2021)

Catalogued: 363 (465)

Offered: 236 (313)

Sold: 217 (286)

Aggregate: 5,267,300gns (-2%)

Median: 14,000gns (+40%)

Average: 24,273gns (+29%)

% sold: 92% (88%)