G2SP Brentford Hope Tops Tattersalls February Day 2

Harry Derham's burgeoning training operation welcomed a notable new recruit Feb. 3 when bloodstock agent Ed Bailey secured the classy Brentford Hope  at 90,000 guineas (US$166,267) on Day 2 of the Tattersalls February Sale.

Once upon a time the son of Camelot  was being talked up as a potential Derby contender, and although he never quite reached those heights he has shown plenty of smart form on the flat nonetheless, winning three times and reaching the podium at group 2 level.

The 6-year-old has also had three starts over hurdles and finished second on each occasion, most recently in a two mile handicap at Wetherby. His official rating over hurdles is 114.

"This is a nice, scopey horse and Harry saw him yesterday," explained Bailey. "Brentford Hope has been a high-class performer on the flat and has run well over hurdles so far, bumping into some decent performers and the form is looking good. He should progress over hurdles and he is for sale."

Brentford Hope was offered by Richard Hughes' Weathercock House Stables and it was the trainer who signed for the talented performer at €130,000 ($146,055) when he was sold by Mocklershill at the 2019 Arqana Breeze-Up Sale. He had previously fetched €80,000 ($91,736) from George Mullins at the Arqana October Yearling Sale.

Bred by Haras du Logis St Germain, Brentford Hope is the best of two winners out of Miss Raven, a Raven's Pass  half sister to the Middleton Stakes (G2) scorer Beautiful Romance .

The two-day sale concluded with turnover of 4,141,800 guineas ($7,651,623) which, although a 29% year-on-year drop, was still the fourth-highest in the event's history. The average price was down by 22% at 13,899 guineas ($25,676), while the median dropped by 30% at 7,000 guineas ($12,932). The clearance rate was a solid 84% as 298 sold from 356 offered (down from 384 offered in 2022).

In his close-of-sale address, Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said: "The individual highlight of the 2023 Tattersalls February Sale was without doubt the 250,000 (guineas) BBA Ireland purchase of the very well-bred broodmare Now Or Never , who is the third-highest priced broodmare ever sold at the Tattersalls February Sale and the highest price at the sale since 2018, but the real feature of the past two days has been the international participation.

"Diverse overseas demand has always been the hallmark of the Tattersalls February Sale and other Tattersalls sales of this nature and the consignors have confidence that Newmarket's unique appeal consistently produces an unrivaled marketplace. Even the relatively small February Sale consistently attracts an abundance of buyers from all over the world and we have sold horses to more than 20 different countries over the past two days.

"Widespread participation from throughout Europe has been matched by the customary strong contingent from throughout the Gulf region and buyers from India and North Africa have also made significant contributions to a solid renewal of the annual curtain-raiser at Park Paddocks."

He added: "While the figures have not matched last year's impressive returns, the turnover was the fourth-highest in the sale's history, the clearance rate has again exceeded 80% and the sustained demand for British and Irish bloodstock at all levels of the market has yet again very much been in evidence at the Tattersalls February Sale."