"The number and diversity of overseas buyers today have given definite cause for encouragement," said Tattersalls chairman Ed Mahony. "We have season buyers from throughout Europe, including Germany, Greece, Italy, Russia, Spain, and Turkey as well as solid demand from British and Irish breeders and trainers. Overall, we felt the catalogue was a little short of obvious stars when compared to last year's record-breaking February sale. But demand has been consistent in all categories, and there has been no shortage of competition for well-bred fillies and mares as well as commercial yearlings."
Evidence, a 4-year-old daughter of Machiavellian, sold for 52,000 guineas to top the Tattersalls February mixed sale on Thursday in England. Bloodstock agent Jimmy Byrne purchased the filly for an Irish client from The Royal Studs. Evidence, who has failed to win in three career starts, was produced from the winning Belmez mare Beyond Doubt.In all, 74 horses were sold for a gross of 452,600 guineas and an average of 6,116 guineas. The median was 3,000 guineas. Last year, 111 horses sold for a gross of 840,900 guineas, an average of 7,575 guineas, and a median of 4,000 guineas. The buy-back rate was 45.2% this year compared to 32.7% last year.
