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| Staff Writer |
The 2025 summer sales season promises to deliver exceptional bloodstock opportunities for buyers seeking future champions. From Europe to America, summer breeze-up sales have consistently produced Group winners and top-class ready-to-race 2Yos perfect for the next Middle East racing season.
Recent graduates include Queen Azteca, Galactic Star, Onesmoothoperator, Heart Of Honor, Colour Up, Haqeeqy, Nibras Passion, Conflict, Kerindia, Global Spectrum, Es'hail, Gronkowski, Mage, Straight No Chaser, Mendelssohn Bay and several others.
Here's a chronological guide to the key sales events that will shape the Thoroughbred landscape in the coming years
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The Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up kicks off the season as Europe's premier source of Group One winners. The 2025 catalogue features 182 juveniles, including siblings to 31 Group or Listed winners and 28 2YOs out of Group or Listed winning mares.
Recent graduates include Group One winners Hotazhell (Gr.1 Futurity Trophy), Vandeek (Dual Group One winner), and Classic winner Native Trail. The 2024 sale achieved remarkable results with six lots selling for 500,000 guineas or more, highlighted by the last unraced son of Galileo fetching 1,000,000 guineas (approximately US$1,250,000).
Standout sires represented include Havana Grey (13 lots), Sioux Nation (11), Blue Point (10), and Mehmas (10). American sires also feature prominent offerings by American Pharoah, Justify, Speightstown, and others.
Commenting on the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up catalogue, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said: "The Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale is unquestionably Europe's leading breeze up sale for Group One winners with Hotazhell the latest 2YO graduate to score at the highest level, following in the illustrious footsteps of outstanding juvenile Vandeek and Classic winners Native Trail and Cachet. Both last year's Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly and Believing, the top-rated sprint filly in Europe who sold for 3,000,000 guineas at last year's December Mares Sale, etched their marks on the sale's roll of honour and the calibre and the consistency of Group One winners sourced from the Craven Breeze Up Sale are a testament to the outstanding quality that Europe's leading breeze up consignors offer year after year."
The "breeze" occurs at Newmarket's Rowley Mile Racecourse on April 14, with sales following on April 15-16 after racing concludes at the Craven Meeting.
This four-day sale features 1,207 2YO lots, with an under-tack show running April 6-12. The 2025 catalogue also offers the "Gallop Only" option for sellers who prefer not to breeze their horses.
The 2024 sale set records with an average of US$130,149 and a median of US$70,000. Notable graduates include multiple Group One winner Chancer Mcpatrick, Group One winner Tenma, and Gr.3 Saudi Derby winner Golden Vekoma.
Chancer McPatrick, who sold for US$725,000 at the 2024 sale, won the Gr.1 Hopeful and Gr.1 Champagne Stakes, becoming an Eclipse Awards finalist. Other successful graduates include Cogburn, an Eclipse Award finalist for champion male sprinter who sold for US$150,000 in 2021—both Eclipse Awards finalists in 2024 feature in the catalogue.
The 206-strong Goffs Doncaster Breeze-Up Sale catalogue has been carefully curated, reduced from 234 entries in 2024 to focus on quality. Graduates from this sale have secured 10 Royal Ascot wins in the last nine years, led by multiple Group One winner Bradsell.
Mehmas has 22 progenies catalogued, including a half-sister to the 1,000 Guineas winner, Cachet and a half-brother to Group Three winner, The Lir Jet. 14 juveniles represent Havana Grey. The 2024 sale was topped by £420,000 (approximately US$525,000) Havana Grey filly purchased by Anthony Stroud for KHK Racing.
Goffs UK managing director Tim Kent said: "This sale is all about Royal Ascot, so it's on everyone's minds, from vendors selecting horses to send to buyers raising their hand in the ring. The sales Royal record is special, and its ability to continue producing winners at one of the world's most prestigious race meetings has driven it to new heights."
Breezes will occur on April 23, with the sale following April 24. Of note, this sale has demonstrated exceptional precocity - in 2024, it produced over 50% of the first 50 2YO winners from European breeze-up sales despite representing just 20% of total offerings.
Strategically positioned at the end of Keeneland's Spring Meet and just before Derby week, this sale showcases proven racehorses and ready-to-run prospects. It brings together owners, trainers, and bloodstock agents looking to secure talent for the summer racing season.
The sale will take place after the races on the closing day of the Spring Meet.
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Arqana's 2025 catalogue offers 192 well-bred 2YOs by some of the world's top stallions. These include Justify (7), Wootton Bassett (7), Lope De Vega (6), Sea the Stars (5), Siyouni (5), Kingman (3), Dubawi (2), Tapit (2), Gun Runner, and Not This Time.
Notable graduates include 2024 Gr.2 Norfolk Stakes winner Shareholder and Group performers Columbus, Without Word, and Ensued, who finished second in last month's Gr.1 Hong Kong Gold Cup.
Standout offerings include a DUBAWI colt out of Group Two winner Anthem Alexander, a Kingman half-brother to Stone Age, and a sister to Group One winner Zellie. The lots are eligible for the Arqana Series, a race program with a minimum prize fund of €1.2 million (approximately US$1.3 million).
Horses will canter on the grass at the Deauville racecourse on May 8, with the auction on May 10.
This auction has developed into one of America's leading juvenile sales, boosted by its impressive roster of Group One-winning graduates and the advantage of breezing over a dirt racetrack.
The sale has produced Eclipse Champion Gamine, Breeders' Cup champion Spun to Run, and other Group One winners Beyond Brilliant, Faiza, and Switzerland.
With 250 2YOs catalogued, this sale takes place on the eve of the Tattersalls Guineas Festival at The Curragh. Horses will breeze on May 22, with the sales commencing the following day.
Known for producing precocious juveniles and later-maturing types, the sale's recent graduates include Coto De Caza, winner of the Gr.3 Cornwallis Stakes, and New Energy, who won a valuable Group Three in Australia. Other notable graduates include Gr.1 Irish Oaks placed Purple Lily and Group Three winners Letsbefrankaboutit and Kairyu.
The catalogue features siblings to significant stakes performers, including a St Mark's Basilica half-brother to dual Group One winner Limato. In total, 88 different sires are represented, with Starman having the most substantial numerical presence with 20 2YOs.
"The Tattersalls Ireland Breeze Up Sale has experienced extraordinary growth year on year, and an incredible number of purchasers have attended in recent years from across the globe," Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said. "The quality throughout the catalogue has continued to grow exponentially, thanks to consignors recognising that the sale attracts agents, owners, and trainers with significant buying power. This catalogue is our strongest yet, and there will be a horse for every market level."
The 2024 sales achieved record turnover and the highest clearance rate among all breeze-up sales that year.
The final sale in their summer preview offers 69 horses, including 39 2YOs, 28 3YOs and older horses, and two in-foal mares. Past graduates include multiple Group One winners and Gr.1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Danedream.
Part of the Baden-Baden Spring meeting from May 30 to June 2, with five of the last ten Gr.1 Deutsch’s Derby winners coming through BBAG sales, this auction offers excellent value for buyers seeking quality German bloodlines and potential Classic performers.
Many of the two- and 3YOs qualify for the BBAG auction race programme, while several others also qualify for lucrative French bonuses. The 2YO breeze will occur on May 30 at the Iffezheim racecourse, with sales following May 31.
Juvenile sires include Galiway, Holy Roman Emperor, Kendargent, Le Havre, Mehmas, New Bay, Sea the Moon, and Too Darn Hot. The auction will be conducted both on-site and online.
Five of the last ten Gr.1 Deutsch’s Derby winners have come through BBAG sales; this auction offers excellent value for buyers seeking quality German bloodlines and potential Classic performers.
The 2025 summer sales season represents a golden opportunity for buyers across the global Thoroughbred industry. With eight premier auctions spanning three continents, the diversity of bloodlines and racing prospects is unparalleled. From Newmarket to Maryland, Deauville to Iffezheim, these sales have consistently produced Classic winners, champions, and international stars. The impressive roster of recent graduates demonstrates these auctions offer value at every price point - whether securing a potential Group One performer for seven figures or finding an overlooked diamond in the rough. With the quality of catalogues improving and international participation growing, the stage is set for another record-breaking summer of Thoroughbred commerce that will shape racing's future for years to come.