John Magnier’s Coolmore Stud buying team topped day two of Tattersalls’ October yearling sale in England when spending 650,000 guineas on a Montjeu half-brother to dual French group I winner Vespone (by Llandaff). Blandford Bloodstock’s Tom Goff was the immediate underbidder on the colt, which was consigned through Caroline Green’s Templeton Stud to the Book 1 portion of the auction.
John Ferguson, accompanied to the sale by Sheikh Mohammed and Princess Haya, dominated the Oct. 8 session, spending 2,985,000 guineas on 16 lots. Ferguson outbid Demi O’Byrne for a 500,000-guinea Pivotal half-sister to Sheikh Mohammed’s group III-placed Mathematician (by Machiavellian).
There were again plenty of long-term breeders looking for fillies including Ruairi O’Coileain, owner of the Co. Meath-based Ennistown Stud in Ireland. He outbid Marcus Tregoning for a 400,000-guinea Pivotal filly out of a sister to Spartacus (by Danehill) and Johan Cruyff (by Danehill) offered through the Castlebridge consignment.
Just before the end of the session, trainer Paul Cole spent 400,000 guineas on behalf of Jim and Fitri Hay to outbid German agent Jurgen Albrecht for a Montjeu half-sister to Fillies’ Mile (Eng-I) runner-up Fantasia (by Sadler’s Wells) bred by Jean-Marc Charmat’s Ronchalon Racing and offered through Highclere Stud.
The 146 yearlings sold (from the 179 offered) grossed 17,428,000 guineas and averaged 119,370 guineas. The median price was 86,000 guineas.
The Book 1 portion of the sale concludes Oct. 9.
