In all, 199 horses were sold for a gross of 2,628,600 guineas ($4,270, 870), an average of 13,209 guineas ($21,462), and a median of 8,000 guineas ($12,998). Compared to a year ago, the number sold and gross fell by 17.1% and 13.8%, respectively. But the average and median rose by 4.0% and 53.8%, respectively. In 2001, 240 horses were sold for a gross of 3,048,700 guineas, an average of 12,702 guineas, and a median of 5,200 guineas. The buy-back rate dropped slightly, from 20.8% last year to 20.1% this year.
Recent Irish Cesarewitch winner American Gothic brought the top price of 140,000 guineas (approximately $227,468) Monday during the opening session of the Tattersalls autumn horses in training sale in England. Jamie McCalmont of Charlie Gordon-Watson Bloodstock purchased the 4-year-old gelded son of Shirley Heights on the behalf of an Australian client. American Gothic has captured three of his 17 career races. Baronrath, Ireland, consigned him to the auction.