Book 2 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale generated its highest-ever gross of 31,039,000 guineas ($52,606,680 in U.S. funds) during a four-day run in England. The total represented an increase of 22.8% from a year ago.
Meanwhile, the median price rose 6.7% while the average price was about the same, falling 1.1%. The clearance rate at the close of business Oct. 18 was 84.1%, down slightly from 84.7% in 2011.
“Book 2 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale is the trainer’s sale, and they have been out in force this week -- British, Irish, and their European counterparts all making a huge contribution to a sale which has produced record returns,” said Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony. “The astonishing level of trade we experienced at Book 1 last week set the tone and the momentum has carried through to Book 2, with sustained demand at all levels of the market from start to finish.
“The competition at the top of the market has been particularly intense,” he continued, “with many of the leading buyers from last week still active and new faces, notably a strong Hong Kong contingent, making their presence felt. But the key to the success of the sale has been the depth to the trade. Last year's huge tally of 46 lots selling for 100,000 guineas ($169,486 in U.S. funds) or more has been bettered and more than 200 lots selling for in excess of 50,000 guineas ($84,743) is unprecedented at this sale.”
The final results included an average of 39,390 guineas ($66,760) for the 788 horses that were sold. The median was 32,000 guineas ($54,236).
Last year, 635 yearlings were sold.
A son of Sakhee's Secret topped the fourth session, bringing 180,000 guineas ($305,074). Mark Richards of the Hong Kong Jockey Club purchased the colt after fighting off Blandford Bloodstock’s Tom Goff in the bidding.
The bay yearling is a half brother to the winners Compton Ford (by Compton Place), Cuppacocoa (by Bertolini), and La Ninfa Rossa (by Cadeaux Genereux). Their dam, Coffee Time (by Efisio), failed to win in 43 career races, but she finished third in the 2001 Hilary Needler Trophy in England. Coffee Time’s dam, Petula (by Petong), won the 1993 St. Hugh’s Stakes in England.
Barry McMahon’s Mountain View Stud consigned the colt.
“We are obviously delighted,” McMahon said. “He was pinhooked for 39,000 guineas ($64,021, from the 2011 Tattersalls December foal sale), and you dream of consigning a horse such as this. Hopefully, he’ll be lucky for his new owner.”
The results for the fourth session included a gross of 7,147,500 guineas ($12,113,955) for the 207 yearlings that were sold. The average was 34,529 guineas ($58,522) and the median was 30,000 guineas ($50,846).
The clearance rate was 88.5%.