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| Staff Writer |
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The third and final day of Book 1 at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale witnessed another day of records and exceptional sales, with buyers from the Middle East leading the charge. Amo Racing, led by Kia Joorabchian, made headlines at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by purchasing a Wootton Bassett colt for 4,300,000 Guineas on the third and final day of Book 1 setting a new European record for a yearling and marking the highest price paid for a yearling colt worldwide in 2024. The purchase was part of a remarkable day that saw seven yearlings surpass the million-guinea mark, with buyers from the Middle East dominating the proceedings.
Buyers from the Middle East, including Godolphin and Amo Racing, were at the forefront of the action. Godolphin, spearheaded by Sheikh Mohammed, added an exceptional half-sister to Gr.1 Fillies' Mile winner Ylang Ylang to their prestigious roster for 3,700,000 Guineas. Bred by Newsells Park Stud in partnership with Merry Fox Stud, the daughter of Siyouni and Shambolic drew intense bidding, with Coolmore and Godolphin going head-to-head before Sheikh Mohammed secured the prized filly.
Joint breeder Graham Smith-Bernal remarked on the strength of the market, adding: "The market is incredibly buoyant right now, and this filly epitomised everything we strive for. We are delighted to see her go to such a wonderful home." This acquisition adds to Godolphin's growing list of star fillies, continuing their trend of targeting top-tier breeding prospects.
Amo Racing, led by Kia Joorabchian, acquired the stunning Wootton Bassett colt for 4,300,000 Guineas. This sale broke the record for a yearling colt in Europe and represented the highest price for any yearling colt worldwide in 2024. The colt, consigned by Lodge Park Stud, is out of the Galileo mare Park Bloom, and his sale adds another chapter to the farm’s already stellar reputation.
Jamie Burns, who consigned the colt, described the emotional moment when the hammer fell: "It was surreal. I couldn’t believe what was happening when the bidding crossed four million. To see our hard work rewarded in such a way is a dream."
The pedigree of this colt is laden with promise. His dam, Park Bloom, is a sister to Al Naamah, who set a European record in 2013 when sold for 5,000,000 Guineas, and to the Gr.1 Oaks winner Was. The colt is poised to carry on this legacy with hopes of future stardom on the track.
Joorabchian, reflecting on his growing influence in the racing world, said: "We aim to be at the top, and to achieve that, you need the best bloodlines. This colt, along with the two Frankel fillies we've acquired, are our key investments for the future."
Joorabchian's Amo Racing was not finished yet. They further added a three-parts sister to Luxembourg, a multiple Group One winner, for 2,900,000 Guineas. The Camelot filly, consigned by Camas Park Stud, is out of Sense of Style, a Group-placed Zoffany mare. Breeder Ben Sangster expressed excitement at the filly’s sale, stating: "It's always tempting to keep them, but the market is so strong, and she deserves to go to a top racing operation."
The Camelot filly promises to be a key player for Amo Racing, which continues to invest heavily in elite bloodstock with the hope of dominating the racing stage.
Newsells Park Stud topped the sale with a Frankel filly out of Group Two winner Aljazzi, fetching a remarkable 4,400,000 Guineas. This made her the highest-priced yearling sold in the Northern Hemisphere in 2024. Julian Dollar, General Manager of Newsells Park, was understandably thrilled: "It’s been an incredible sale. We always strive to present the best, and seeing this filly go for such a price is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved."
This sale continued Newsells Park's dominance at Tattersalls, where they have now topped the consignment charts for seven consecutive years, with this year’s draft generating over 17 million guineas in turnover.
The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale remains a beacon for the world’s wealthiest buyers. Chairman Edmond Mahony reflected on the sale’s success: "The contributions from buyers throughout the Gulf region remain invaluable. Their involvement ensures that Tattersalls continues to lead the way in offering the world’s finest yearlings."
In addition to buyers from the Middle East, participants from the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, and across Europe contributed to a total of 16 seven-figure lots across the three days of sales. The surge in demand saw turnover increase by 30 million guineas compared to 2023, with the average price well exceeding 300,000 Guineas.
As the dust settles on another record-breaking Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the reverberations will be felt for years to come. With buyers like Sheikh Mohammed, Kia Joorabchian, and Coolmore continuing to invest heavily in the future of racing, the bar for excellence has been raised once again.
The sale has reaffirmed its place as the premier destination for the world’s most prestigious buyers, and with major investments in elite bloodstock, the 2024 racing season promises to be one for the ages. Tattersalls' ability to attract top international buyers underscores its unrivalled position in the global bloodstock market, a feat unlikely to change anytime soon.