Trading at Tuesday’s first session of Tattersalls’ October Yearling Sale in
Newmarket remained largely on par with the same day in 2008. The 80,000 guineas
median was identical to last year. The 111,523 guineas average fell by two
percent while the 16,840,000 guineas turnover, for a slightly increased catalog,
rose by 12 percent. The 75 percent clearance rate compared to 77 percent 12
months ago.
There were no million-guinea fireworks. John Magnier paid the day’s highest
price for a Galileo (Ire) half-brother to Phoenix S. (Ire-G1) winner Damson
(Ire) (Entrepreneur), sold from Denis and Joan Brosnan’s Croom House Stud. The
striking colt, consigned as Hip No. 118, realized 550,000 guineas after the
Coolmore boss had seen off agents Richard Brown, Charlie Gordon-Watson and
finally owner Sir Robert Ogden for the youngster. He was bred by the Brosnans’
Epona Bloodstock in partnership with Patsy Byrne.
“He was a remarkable horse, he was just exceptional looking and on top of
that he’s a Galileo brother to a Group 1 winner,” Coolmore agent Demi O’Byrne
commented. “He is for the three usual owners.”
Hip 103, a 400,000 guineas Holy Roman Emperor first-crop three-parts sister
to Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) and St James’s Palace S. (Eng-G1) winner
Mastercraftsman (Danehill Dancer), was also snapped up by the Coolmore team. She
was offered from Paul Shanahan’s Ashtown House Stud.
The Maktoum linked buyers John Ferguson, Shadwell and Rabbah Bloodstock spent
5.53 million guinea (33 percent of the turnover) on 40 lots. The pick of the
group was a Medicean half-brother to Prix Morny (Fr-G1) winner Arcano (Oasis
Dream [GB]), bought by that colt’s owner, Hamdan al Maktoum. Sold from the Egan
family’s Corduff Stud as Hip 121, he realized 450,000 guineas after Shadwell’s
Angus Gold saw off BBA Ireland agent Eamonn Reilly.
“Obviously we know his big brother and the mare has started pretty well, but
this colt was just a star individual,” Gold said. “He was a beautiful horse with
a great attitude and as usual, we will sort out trainers for everything once the
sales are over.”
Selling from Book 1 continues Wednesday and concludes Thursday. For more
information, visit tattersalls.com.