The Book 1 portion of the Tattersalls October yearling sale got off to a flying start with increases of 21.6% in gross revenue, 48% in average price, and 51.5% in median price from a year ago. The clearance rate Oct. 5 in England was 81.6%, up from 75.6% in 2010.
A Galileo filly topped the opening session, bringing 800,000 guineas ($1,294,808 in U.S. funds). Australian Paul Makin, through Badgers Bloodstock, bought the bay yearling, fighting off Coolmore Stud managing partner John Magnier.
Tim Hyde’s Camas Park Stud consigned the filly, which was bred in Ireland by Lynch Bages Ltd. Produced from the unraced Darshaan mare Gwynn, the yearling is a half sister to Pour Moi (by Montjeu), winner of this year’s Investec Epsom Derby (Eng-I) and Prix Greffulhe (Fr-III). The filly also is a half sister to Gagnoa (by Sadler's Wells), who captured the Prix des Reservoirs (Fr-III) in 2007 and Prix Penelope (Fr-III) in 2008.
A Galileo – Caumshinaun filly and an Oasis Dream – Kassiopeia colt each commanded 700,000 guineas ($1,133,055). Alan Cooper, in the name of Course Investment Corp., agent, bought the Galileo filly from The Castlebridge Consignment. Cooper was acting on behalf of the Niarchos family. Coolmore agent Demi O’Byrne purchased the Oasis Dream colt from Furnace Mill Stud.
The results for the opening session included a gross of 18,148,000 guineas ($29,372,805) for the 120 yearlings that were sold. The average was 151,233 guineas ($244,773) and the median was 100,000 guineas ($161,851).
During last year’s first session, 146 horses were sold.