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| Staff Writer |
The 2024 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has etched its name in bloodstock history, shattering records and defying market expectations across all books.With an unprecedented turnover exceeding US$262 million, the sale demonstrated the enduring global appeal of top-quality European bloodstock, with particularly strong representation from buyers in the Gulf region.
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Book 1 kicked off the sale in spectacular fashion, achieving a remarkable 88% clearance rate and setting the stage for what was to come. The highlight came when a colt by Kameko, a full brother to Gr.1 Summer Stakes winner New Century, fetched a staggering US$1.31 million, marking a new record for a colt at Book 2.
Anthony Stroud, bidding on behalf of Godolphin, secured the colt from Tweenhills Farm & Stud. David Redvers of Tweenhills commented, "It is the old cliché - he was on everybody's list! I am sad to see him go, but thrilled that he has been bought by Godolphin. Anthony loved the horse from the first time he saw him. I am sad for Andrew that he won't get to train him, as he has done such an outstanding job with the brother."
The success of Godolphin at the sale underscores the continued investment in European bloodstock by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's operation. Godolphin's presence was felt throughout the sale, with multiple high-profile purchases across all books.
The sale saw fierce competition from buyers across the globe, with particularly strong representation from the Gulf region, alongside buyers from America, Australia, and Hong Kong. This international demand resulted in 93 yearlings selling for US$262,000 or more in Book 2 alone, far surpassing previous records.
One of the most active buyers from the Gulf was Najd Stud, representing Prince Faisal bin Khaled of Saudi Arabia. Bloodstock agent Nico Archdale, acting on behalf of Najd Stud, secured several high-profile lots throughout the sale, including a colt by Time Test for US$144,100 in Book 3.
Archdale commented on their purchases: "We bought another by Time Test in Book 1, and seven yearlings in Book 2 - they are going to Saudi, apart from the Sea The Stars colt who goes to Roger Varian. Time Test is doing very well out there, he is flying out there and has had a top rated two-year-old."
Another prominent Gulf buyer was Sumbe, representing Nurlan Bizakov's operation. They made headlines by purchasing a Territories colt for US$982,500, a remarkable pinhooking success for the vendors who had acquired the colt for just US$85,150 at the previous year's December Foal Sale.
Tony Fry, Sumbe's stud director, explained their purchase: "This is a similar type of horse to Lazzat and whether lightning will strike twice, I don't know! He is a nice horse and we can make a case for him, it is a lot of money - we should have bought him as a foal! It is nice that Nurlan has put faith in us, I imagine the colt will go into training with Jerome Reynier."
The filly market also saw remarkable results, with a daughter of Too Darn Hot out of the Galileo mare Lola Paige achieving US$786,000 in Book 2. Consigned by Appletree Stud, the filly was purchased by Alex Elliott on behalf of Al Shaqab / Amo Racing, further emphasizing the strong Gulf presence at the sale.
Robert "Choc" Thornton, stud manager at Appletree Stud, was overcome with emotion at the result: "Paul puts so much into the stud. She is a queen, I thought she'd get US$262,000 or so, and then thought maybe US$524,000, but to do that... She has been a star all the way through, and of course we were tempted to keep her, but the boss has put a lot of money in - he deserves to get some back."
In Book 3, a Havana Grey filly out of the Invasor mare Ealaan matched the record price for the sale when knocked down for US$262,000 to Alex Elliott, again for Amo Racing. The filly, bred by Whitsbury Manor Stud, is set to be trained by George Boughey.
Ed Harper of Whitsbury Manor Stud commented on the sale: "This is the last 'lower-priced' crop by Havana Grey so there are some mixed pedigrees out there, as you would expect, and we wanted to make sure he had a real proper one. We always liked her at home, but she is a late April foal and she has done so well, we did not expect her to do as well as she has and she did not look like a late-season foal."
Perhaps the most impressive statistic of the sale was the consistently high clearance rates across all books. Following Book 1's 88% clearance, Book 2 produced three consecutive sessions with rates of 90% or higher, while the opening day of Book 3 maintained an impressive 88% clearance.
This strong demand carried through to the final days of the sale, with Book 4 bringing the October Yearling Sale to a close on a high note. The National Stud enjoyed particular success on the final day of Book 3, selling the top two lots for US$85,150 and US$81,220 respectively.
Jamie Jackson, nominations and sales manager at the National Stud, commented on their success: "Trade has been great, a lot of people who could not buy in Book 2 have been buying in Book 3 and landing on some good horses. Thankfully they are with us!"
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The sale also highlighted the growing influence of Gulf-based breeders in the European bloodstock market. Shadwell Estate, the operation founded by the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, continued to be a major player both as a vendor and purchaser.
Angus Gold, Shadwell's long-standing racing manager, secured several high-profile lots throughout the sale, including a Too Darn Hot filly for US$556,500. Gold commented on their purchase: "She is by Too Darn Hot who is a global stallion now, and she is out of a Galileo mare. She was always going to cost a lot of money."
The sale also saw the emergence of new players from the Gulf region, indicating the continued growth and diversification of investment in European bloodstock from this area. One such example was the Thoroughbred Racing Corporation, represented by Jane Mangan, who secured a Sea The Stars filly for US$786,000.
Mangan explained their purchase: "The stallion is alright isn't he? We have been trying to buy the right type of filly for the last two weeks and we got two last week. This filly stood out, I thought she is the best filly in this book. She comes from a great farm, she is just very easy on the eye, there is no mystery here!"
In the aftermath of this record-breaking sale, the European bloodstock industry can look forward with renewed optimism. The strong presence and investment from Gulf buyers have played a crucial role in driving the market to new heights, while also highlighting the region's growing influence in global breeding and racing.
Edmond Mahony, Tattersalls Chairman, reflected on the sale's overall success: "I suspect that the 2024 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale will be remembered for a very long time. From the moment the buyers began to descend on Park Paddocks in advance of Book 1 it felt as if something out of the ordinary was beginning to unfold, but nevertheless, not even the most incurable optimist would have predicted that in a period of two weeks more than US$262 million would be spent on yearlings at Tattersalls."
Mahony also highlighted the global nature of the demand: "Not every sector of the market has been as robust as we would all like, but the appetite for quality yearlings has been truly global and it has been particularly rewarding to have welcomed so many new buyers from all over the world in the course of the past two weeks alongside those whose support has long been a feature of so many sales at Tattersalls."
The success of Gulf-based buyers and breeders at this year's sale underscores the region's growing importance in the global thoroughbred industry. As these operations continue to invest in top-quality European bloodstock, we can expect to see their influence grow both on the racecourse and in the breeding shed in the years to come.
The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has once again proven its position as the premier source of top-quality yearlings in Europe, attracting global investment and setting new benchmarks for the industry. With the continued strong presence of Gulf buyers and the emergence of new players from the region, the future of European bloodstock looks brighter than ever.