Captain Rio, Invincible Spirit Colts Share Price Record at Tattersalls

There can have been few days as momentous for Irish consignor Michael Downey, whose only two colts, by Captain Rio and Invincible Spirt, realized 300,000 guineas each the share a price record for Part 2 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale in England.

The auction continued Wednesday in record-breaking fashion with turnover after two days standing at 20,286,000 guineas, already 2.3 million guineas ahead of last year's record turnover with 580 lots still to pass through the ring. The second day saw 242 horses sold for 10,055,500 guineas, up 54% from last year's corresponding session. The average and median rose 29% and 28% to 41,552 guineas and 32,000 guineas, respectively.

The Captain Rio colt is out of the Formidable mare Sliding, a half-sister to group winners Suggestive and Rashbag. Bloodstock agent Amanda Skiffington made a bold bid to secure the colt, but was unable to match Shadwell Estates' Angus Gold, who bid 300,000 guineas.

A little more than 90 minutes later lot the Invincible Spirit colt, out of the Dehere mare You Rang Here, provided Downey with another windfall when knocked down to bloodstock agent Angie Sykes for 300,000 guineas.

Part 2 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale continues on Thursday.