Tattersalls’ unique Autumn Horses in Training Sale gets underway in Newmarket
Monday morning. The world’s largest exchange of horses of racing age draws a
crowd from across the globe looking for flat prospects, although traditionally
they face strong competition from British and Irish jumping buyers. Sugar Ray
(Danehill) set a sale record price of 600,000 guineas last year when bought by
Anthony Stroud for Godolphin and, with the imminent opening of Meydan racecourse
in Dubai, it is expected that the various agents used by the Maktoum family will
again be busy over the next four days along with others shopping for the 2010
Dubai Carnival.
There are 1,527 lots listed in this year’s main catalog — 182 fewer than
last year’s record-sized sale — with an additional six supplementary offerings
that could include some of the week’s highlights. Included among the
supplementary lots include a pair from Ger Lyons’ stable in Ireland that look
sure to prove popular. Two-year-old MISTER TEE (Danehill Dancer), Hip No.
568A, won the Star Appeal S. at Dundalk on October 9 and also finished second in
this season’s Futurity S. (Ire-G2). His three-year-old stablemate SUMMIT SURGE (Noverre),
Hip 534A, heads to the sale on the back of a success in the Amethyst S. (Ire-G3)
at Leopardstown in his latest outing. He has also tasted success at the Dubai
Carnival, scoring in a valuable contest at Nad Al Sheba in February.
Another extra lot is the two-year-old IN SOME RESPECT (Indian Haven), Hip
334A, who finished second to Alfred Nobel (Danehill Dancer) in this season’s
Railway S. (Ire-G2) for trainer Andy Oliver, while five-year-old TARIQ (Kyllachy),
Hip 342A, has tasted success at a high level, having won the Lennox S. (G2) at
Goodwood in 2007.
As ever at this event, there are a huge number of withdrawals, including some
of the best lots cataloged. But among the two-year-olds still slated to appear
is Hip 425, BIG AUDIO (Oratorio [Ire]), whose two stakes victories for trainer
Richard Hannon this season include the Chesham S. at Royal Ascot. His stablemate
FULL MANDATE (Acclamation), Hip 432, is owned by a partnership headed by
bloodstock agent Peter Doyle’s wife Anna and — having finished second in the
Princess Margaret S. (Eng-G3) at Ascot — went on to be runner-up in the Goffs
Million Sprint at the Curragh. Other interesting juveniles include ICON DREAM
(Sadler’s Wells), Hip 647 and winner of his only start in a Tipperary maiden for
trainer David Wachman, and Hip 992, STARGAZE (Oasis Dream [GB]), who finished
third in the Richmond S. (Eng-G2) at Goodwood for Andrew Balding.
A large dispersal by owners Harry Findlay and Tony Bloom includes Hip 455,
the Tom Dascombe-trained ABOVE LIMITS (Exceed and Excel), who has twice been
stakes-placed this season. Among the older horses on offer is three-year-old
BONNIE CHARLIE (Intikhab), Hip 818, who came fourth in the Bengough Memorial S.
(Eng-G3) at Ascot last time out, and Hip 574, RAVE PROSPECTOR (Oasis Dream
[GB]), who was third in the same race. The Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1)
fifth FERGUS MCIVER (Sadler’s Wells) is offered from Jim Bolger’s stable as Hip
720.
Meanwhile, ABOVE AVERAGE (High Chaparral [Ire]), Hip 494, won the Classic
Trial (Eng-G3) at Sandown in April for trainer Barry Hills. Sprint buyers will
look at his five-year-old stablemate PRIME DEFENDER (Bertolini), Hip 491, who
finished a close fifth in the Diadem S. (Eng-G2) at Ascot in September. The John
Oxx-trained PITTONI (Peintre Celebre), Hip 599, has landed a maiden since the
catalog went to press, while Aidan O’Brien’s draft includes the classy
three-year-old VON JAWLENSKY (Montjeu [Ire]), Hip 634, who cost 600,000 guineas
as a yearling.
A sizeable Juddmonte draft includes Hip 1074, PUTNEY BRIDGE (Mizzen Mast),
who has a couple of good recent group placings in France for trainer Criquette
Head-Maarek. Hip 264, the German-trained ADELAR (Samum), was beaten a neck in a
Deauville Group 3 in August. Local trainer Sir Mark Prescott’s draft is always
popular here and jumping buyers could be interested in the progressive
three-year-old BRAVEHEART MOVE (Cape Cross [Ire]), Hip 731, while Hip 1103, the
Luca Cumani-trained LEVERAGE (Xaar), looks to be progressive.
“Year after year the Autumn Horses in Training Sale produces winners at the
highest level throughout the world and that’s the key to its enduring
popularity,” Tattersalls marketing director Jimmy George noted. “We have
had a lot of interest in this year’s catalog and look forward to seeing the
usual cosmopolitan crowd of buyers.”
The sales runs through Thursday.