(Edited Tattersalls press release)
Book 2 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale crossed the finish line of its three-day run in England Oct. 14 with a gross that was up 4.5% from a year ago. The average price declined 12.2%, while the median price fell 13.8%. The buy-back rate droppped from 29.2% in 2008 to 17.3% this year, which meant that more than 80% of the horses offered found new homes.
“We were delighted with the trade in Book 1 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale last week, and it has been equally pleasing to see it mirrored over the three days of Book 2,” said Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony.
“It seems extraordinary to be able to reflect on Books 1 and 2 in such positive terms, bearing in mind the continuing economic uncertainties, but the strength of both sales has been remarkable. The quality of yearlings has been a key factor for which we must thank our vendors, and the major buyers who made last week such a success have again been active at the top of the Book 2 market. The sustained demand at all levels and a clearance rate in excess of 80% have been further positive aspects to take out of this sale.”
The 606 yearlings that sold grossed 20,565,500 guineas and averaged 33,936 guineas. The median was 25,000 guineas. In 2008, the 509 horses that sold grossed 19,672,700 guineas and averaged 38,650 guineas. The median was 29,000 guineas.
A Medicean colt topped the final day of the Book 2 portion of the auction, bringing 220,000 guineas. Angus Gold, the racing manager for Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Estate Co., purchased the bay yearling from Bill and Tara Dwan’s The Castlebridge Consignment. A pinhooking syndicate made up of staff from from Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms owned the colt at the time he was offered in the October sale and enjoyed a big financial score after acquiring him through Will Edmeades Bloodstock for only 16,000 guineas at the 2008 Tattersalls December foal sale.
Produced from the 8-year-old unraced Rainbow Quest mare Navajo Rainbow, the colt is a half-brother to the winner Navajo Chief (by King's Best), who finished third in this year’s Huggies Winkfield Stakes in England. Navajo Rainbow is a half-sister to Mus-If (by Lahib), who captured the 1998 Aga Khan Studs National Stakes (Ire-I), and added-money winner Jammaal (by Robellino).
The 197 yearlings that sold in Book 2’s third and last session grossed 6,477,500 guineas and averaged 32,881 guineas. The median was 25,000 guineas. The buy-back rate was 16.9%.