Figures Steady as Autumn Horses in Training Sale Ends

After four marathon sessions featuring high international demand and plenty of six-figure trading, the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale concluded Oct. 31 with a set of statistics that bore a striking similarity to those achieved 12 months ago.

This year saw a significantly smaller catalog, with 1,562 entries compared to 1,644 in 2018. A total of 1,097 of those lots came under the hammer at Park Paddocks, and 985 found a buyer for a strong clearance rate of 90%.

In turn, those transactions brought turnover of 25,393,400 guineas (US$34,261,356), which was down 5% year-on-year, albeit from an offering that was down by 7% (84 lots). The condensed catalog meant 64 fewer horses were sold than at the 2018 edition of the four-day auction.

There was an average price of 25,780 guineas ($34,783)—a 1% increase year-on-year, and a median of 12,000 guineas ($16,252)—which remained precisely on a par with the benchmark set 12 months ago.

In his end-of-sale statement, Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said: "A record price for a colt of 625,000 guineas, four lots making 300,000 guineas or more, and 14 selling for 200,000 guineas and above all demonstrate the enduring appeal of this unique fixture."

High levels of international demand for British and Irish bloodstock is often one of the key themes of the Autumn Horses in Training Sale, as was noted by Mahony. 

"The top 20 lots this week sold to buyers from England, Ireland, America, Australia, Bahrain, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia, and it is the diversity and sheer number of buyers which make the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale an unrivaled marketplace," he said. 

"The Autumn Horses in Training Sale is a magnet for buyers at all levels of the market, and the key to the sale's appeal is that it caters for literally every possible requirement, both flat and National Hunt," he continued.

"Amongst the top 10 lots, we had the outstanding group 1-placed 2-year-old Summer Sands, the 4-year-old miler Salute The Soldier, the top-class stayer Mekong (sold privately for 400,000 guineas), a regally bred broodmare prospect Lady Corsica, and Juddmonte Farms' improving 3-year-old Sash.

"Nowhere else will buyers find such a rich and varied choice of quality proven horses in training, and it is this feature which makes the sale an unmissable event for so many people."

"Every year we marvel at the sustained demand from throughout the Gulf region, and 2019 has been no exception," Mahony continued. "Buyers from Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have yet again had a massive impact on the sale, and there is no doubt that the growing strength of racing in the region has spurred the buyers on.

"They have been joined by strong contingents from throughout Europe, most notably Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain, Scandinavia, and the Czech Republic, and, from further afield, Americans, Australians, and buyers from Hong Kong have all contributed to a sale turnover bettered only twice and an impressive clearance rate of 90%.

"The Autumn Horses in Training Sale has enjoyed consistent success in Australia, and the sale's four high-profile 2019 group 1 winners there this year have not gone unnoticed, with Australian buyers particularly active this week.

"Probably the only other European bloodstock sale that attracts overseas buyers in similar numbers is the Tattersalls December Sale, and as we approach Europe's premier foal and breeding stock sale, we can take plenty of encouragement from the sustained international demand at Tattersalls over the past four days."

Loughnane Reloads

Trade during the concluding session was of a much more prosaic nature than the days that came before, with trainer Mark Loughnane's purchase of the well-related Daysaq for 40,000 ($54,175) guineas topping the market.

Bred and sold by Shadwell, the 2-year-old son of Invincible Spirit made two starts for Owen Burrows, including when he achieved a Racing Post Rating of 70 for his fourth-place finish at Wolverhampton on debut in early October.

"His first run at Wolverhampton was very good, but he didn't run so well on his second start," Loughnane said. "I don't think the track at Chelmsford suited him, though. We'll keep him going on the all-weather, but we'll get him home and make a plan from there. I've bought him for a syndicate who already has horses with me."

The colt is out of Fawaayed, a Singspiel half sister to Queen Mary Stakes (G2) winner and QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1) third Maqaasid.

Thursday's session was down markedly on numbers compared to the corresponding day 12 months ago, with 202 lots offered, 93 fewer than in 2018. 

In all, 190 sold for a clearance rate of 94%, turnover of 1,356,400 guineas ($1,837,065, down 47%), an average of 7,139 guineas ($9,669, down 25%), and a median of 5,000 guineas ($6,772).