NEWS
Coolmore sires boost totals at Tattersalls
Posted: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 6:38 PM
SESSION TOPPER: GALILEO (IRE) COLT
Photo courtesy of Tattersalls Ltd.
by Carl Evans
Coolmore stallions dominated the opening session of Book 1 of the Tattersalls’ Ltd. October yearling sale on Tuesday in Newmarket, England.
A top price of $920,766 (550,000 guineas) illustrated the market’s realignment, but when three yearlings by Galileo (Ire) and three by his sire, Sadler’s Wells, made the top ten, it was clear some things do not change.
Similarly, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum and Coolmore interests dominated the market for bigger-priced horses, and that is nothing new.
Turnover on day one reached $28,192,181 (16,840,000 guineas), up 11.7% from last year’s opening session albeit from a slightly bigger catalog. The median of $133,930 (80,000 guineas) matched the figure from day one last year, while an average price of $186,703 (111,523 guineas) was down only 2.4%. Those figures have to be classed as very good given the declines at other yearling sales and the global economic climate.
The clearance rate of 74.8% remained steady compared with 76.7% on day one last year.
Coolmore Stud stallions will figure heavily on the top ten list when this year’s sale is complete, and their progeny were in the spotlight on the opening day.
Galileo, winner of the 2001 Vodafone Epsom Derby (Eng-G1), was responsible for the day’s top-priced horse, a colt from the consignment of Croom House Stud who brought a $920,766 (550,000 guineas) bid from John Magnier. A half brother to Group 2 winner Damson (Ire), the session topper is out of the winning Darshaan mare Tadkiyra (Ire).
“He behaved beautifully all week and we’re delighted he’s gone to a very good home,” said Paul McCartan, stud manager at Croom House.
This is the final crop of yearlings from 14-time British and Irish champion sire Sadler’s Wells, who was booked to a small group of mares in 2008 but failed to achieve a successful mating. That adds value to the final few, and they were in demand Tuesday, headed by a filly out of the Danehill mare Shastye, a half sister to 1998 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) winner Sagamix. Trainer Jeremy Noseda signed for this February filly following a bid of $585,942 (350,000 guineas).
“Sadler’s Wells will be remembered as a great stallion, and hopefully this filly will make a broodmare in time,” Noseda said.
Coolmore added Holy Roman Emperor to its roster in 2007 after the son of Danehill had enjoyed top-level success as a two-year-old. He was retired early as a replacement for sub-fertile two-time champion George Washington (Ire) and is represented by his first crop at the Tattersalls sale.
The pick Tuesday was a filly from the consignment of Ashtown House Stud, whose half brother Mastercraftsman was the European champion two-year-old male of 2008, won the Boylesports.com Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) in May and is a contender for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Demi O’Byrne made sure this filly was retained within the Coolmore fold with a bid of $669,648 (400,000 guineas).
Breaking the Coolmore stallion stranglehold was Cheveley Park Stud sire Medicean, whose mating with Tariysha, by Daylami (GB), produced a bay colt who sold for $753,354 (450,000 guineas) to Angus Gold on behalf of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Shadwell Estate Co.
Tariysha has produced a top-notch first foal in Arcano, by Oasis Dream (GB), who is unbeaten in three starts for Shadwell this year. His Darley Prix Morny (Fr-G1) success has been the peak to date, although he will tackle the Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Eng-G1) on October 17. A victory probably would make him European champion two-year-old male.
For hip-by-hip results, click here.
Carl Evans is an England-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent
