Tattersalls October Shatters Previous Numbers

The gross up 44%, average up 28% and a median that had risen 17% told the story of a remarkable Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, which finished in Newmarket last night.

A total of 788 head were sold for 43,572,700 guineas, averaging 55,238 guineas and posting a median of 35,000 guineas. There were a total of 125 six-figure lots compared to 67 last year and the previous sale record was more than doubled when a Diesis colt was bought by Demi O'Byrne for 1 million guineas on Wednesady night.

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony reflected: "Last week's record-breaking Houghton yearling sale certainly gave cause for optimism going into part one of the October Yearling Sale, but we could not have predicted the massive rises across the board. Trade this week has been truly phenomenal and the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale record book has been completely rewritten.

"The sale has been the highest-grossing European yearling sale ever, with the average well over 50,000 guineas for the first time, a median in previously uncharted territory, the first-ever million guinea October yearling and a staggering 125 lots selling for 100,000 guineas or more.

"Last week we would have preferred a slightly larger catalogue, and this week slightly smaller as the sheer numbers have made it a demanding week for buyers, but the week has been a resounding success.

"As ever enormous credit must go to the vendors who have brought the cream of the European Yearling crop to Tattersalls in the last two weeks and buyers from throughout the world have responded in spectacular fashion."

Yesterday's lots had received the lowest grading of the week and the market noticeably slowed down accordingly with a Mujadil colt consigned by Max Ervine leading the way when sold to agent Peter Doyle for 150,000 guineas to join trainer Richard Hannon.

The sale's top individual buyer was agent Charles Gordon-Watson, who bought 29 lots for 3.293 million guineas, although Sheikh Mohammed's purchases through John Ferguson and Darley Stud Management would easily surpass that figure.

Tim Hyde's Camas Park Stud in Co Tipperary was the leading consignor having sold 21 yearlings for 1,399,000 guineas.

COMPARATIVE FIGURES

TOTAL SALE

YR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV MED

2003 1,065 955 788 43,527,700 55,238 35,000

2002 927 833 701 30,196,500 43,076 30,000

session

YR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV MED

2003 270 238 171 4,078,700 23,852 20,000

2002 234 208 172 3,728,000 21,674 18,500