Red Ransom Filly Tops Tattersalls Yearling Sale

The second day of Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Part Two did even better in percentage increases than the first day.

The aggregate (58%), average (60%), and median (67%) all were up substantially against the corresponding day in 2004.

From 235 lots offered, 202 lots sold for 6,508,500 guineas, at an average of 32,220 guineas and a median of 25,000 guineas.

A Red Ransom filly established a record price for the sale at 270,000 guineas, going to the bid from agent Charlie Gordon-Watson, acting for Philippa Cooper's Sussex-based Normandie Stud.

Gordon-Watson said: "The filly struck a few chords with me and was very special. I've always been a big fan of (Red Ransom's sire) Roberto. I don't know who will train her, but she has been bought as a long-term breeding prospect for Normandie Stud."

The filly had been bought in utero with Machiavellian mare Maskaya by Denis Brosnan's Epona Bloodstock for $230,000 at the 2004 Keeneland January Sale.

The mare remained in Kentucky to foal two months later and was then covered by Giant's Causeway   before heading back to Brosnan's County Limerick-based Croom House Stud. She is now in foal to Montjeu.

The Irish stud, managed by Paul McCartan, has 28 mares. It consigned a 950,000 euros Galileo colt and 360,000 euros Danehill Dancer colt at Goffs Million Sale, while last week's Tattersalls October Part One yearlings generated 300,000 guineas and 240,000 guineas. The stud this week has sold four for over 100,000 guineas or more.

Wednesday saw eight yearlings sold for 100,000 guineas or over after 11 on the first day.

COMPARATIVE FIGURES IN GUINEAS
YR/CAT/OFF/SOLD/AGG/AVG/MED
2005/257/235/202/6,508,500/32,220/25,000
2004/271/248/205/4,122,000/20,107/15,000