Galileo Fillies Headline Tattersalls July Catalog

Flat trainers, jumps handlers, owners, and breeders—from Britain, Ireland, and much further afield—will converge on Newmarket this week for the Tattersalls July Sale, which starts its three-day run at 9.30am July 11.

The auction, which offers something for everyone year in, year out, comes with an added frisson of excitement as it includes three yearling fillies by Galileo (IRE)—the sort of lots who would steal the show at Book 1.

That Castlebridge-consigned trio—a filly out of a half sister to Tha'Ir (Lot 189), a filly out of Luas Line (190) and a sister to Pretty Perfect (Lot 191)—are half of the total number of Galileo yearling fillies, owned or part-owned by troubled South African retail magnate Markus Jooste, who were supposed to come under the hammer this week.

The other three have been taken out of the sale, along with Turffontein group 1 heroine Cloth of Cloud, who is in foal to Galileo.

Those withdrawals are disappointing but, as Tattersalls marketing director Jimmy George pointed out, three Galileo yearling fillies in a sale better known for horses in training and breeding stock transactions are not to be sniffed at.

"They would be standout lots in whatever sale they appeared in," he said. "The fact they are available at the July Sale is a unique opportunity."

Well-bred horses once belonging to Jooste, a big investor in Thoroughbreds in recent years but whose racing and breeding operations were thrown into disarray when he faced allegations of accountancy fraud, have lit up sales this year.

Four mares owned or part-owned by Jooste sold for a total of 1,770,000 guineas at the Tattersalls February Sale, led by Smoulder, the Redoute's Choice half sister to Legatissimo, at 550,000gns (US$819,531).

It is not all about those yearling fillies this week though.

"The July Sale falls at just the right time for international buyers and the domestic market, and has proved a consistent source of high-class breeding stock as well as horses in training," George said. "It's always a busy week because there is success to be had across all categories."

George's positive summary is supported by evidence, as among the sale's significant graduates are this year's Betway Winter Derby (G3) winner Master The World, bought for 15,000gns ($23,414) in 2013. The next Master The World could emanate from large drafts this week from Godolphin, Juddmonte, and Shadwell.

Among the pick of the broodmare prospects on paper is Catchment (Lot 215), an Oasis Dream half sister to Coolmore Zoffany Irish E.B.F. Tetrarch Stakes winner Imaging in foal to Profitable, while one of the stars of the horses in training section could be group 2 winner and Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) runner-up Arod (Lot 245).

With those Galileo fillies sure to command top prices and buyers' appetite for horses in training and breeding stock still appearing strong, it would be no surprise to see last year's record July Sale figures smashed again.

In 2017, 574 horses sold for turnover of 14,691,700gns (up 19% on the preceding year), an average of 25,595gns (also up 19%) and median of 12,000gns (increased by 20%).

The top lot was the then 3-year-old Asanta Sana—another Galileo sister to Pretty Perfect—sold to Rabbah Bloodstock for 330,000gns ($448,371).