Five Talking Points Ahead of Tatts Somerville Sale

1. Less is more Tattersalls has compiled a notably slimmed down Somerville offering in 2025, with the one-day catalog numbering 272 lots. This is a 42% reduction (194 lots) compared to the expanded two-day edition in 2024. Key market metrics suggest this is no bad thing. The sale had been on a steep upward trajectory during its first three years since it superseded the old Ascot Yearling Sale. To that extent, it is easy to see why Tattersalls would have been inundated with entries for the 2024 renewal. However, there is a critical mass in the commercial yearling market, and last year's evidence suggests the Somerville went beyond this point. Prior to 2024, the sale had shown significant growth in all key indices. The average price had increased from 21,345gns in 2021 to 31,905gns by 2023, a gain of 49%. The median, which is so often the most reflective barometer of market health, increased by an even more punchy 66%, rising from 16,250gns in 2021 to 27,000gns by 2023. Despite catalogs increasing in size, there was also an enhanced clearance rate, with 271 lots selling at a clip of 89% in 2023, compared to 232 at a still perfectly solid 86% two years earlier. View the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale catalogue. But last year saw backwards steps in all these measures. The average price slipped by 11% to 28,250gns, the median was down by 19 points to 22,000gns and, perhaps most concerning of all, the clearance rate was just 74% as 316 yearlings sold from 426 offered. 2. Bromley bandwagon poised to roll on Highflyer Bloodstock's Anthony Bromley has had a particularly productive time at the Somerville, signing for four of the sale's 26 stakes-winning graduates. This roll of honor includes a couple of the sale's most notable success stories. The auction has produced two top-flight winners, and Bromley was responsible for sourcing one of the pair with Harry Dunlop for just 12,000gns. That is, of course, Bradsell (GB), who changed hands in 2021 before going on to land three group 1s, namely the King's Stand Stakes, Nunthorpe and the Flying Five. Bromley also unearthed Relief Rally (IRE) on behalf of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. The 58,000gns purchase went on to win the Lowther Stakes (G2) before being resold to Zhang Yuesheng for 800,000gns the following December. The super agent also signed for Phil Cunningham's Redcar 2-Year-Old Trophy winner Candy, a 28,000gns pickup in 2023, and this year's catalog cover star Havana Hurricane (GB), a 9,000 buy with Eve Johnson Houghton who went on to score in this year's Windsor Castle Stakes. 3. Another Grey day Whitsbury Manor Stud's sire sensation Havana Grey (GB) has supplied the last two Somerville Sale top lots. Last year it was agent Alex Elliott who signed at 140,000gns for the Whitsbury-consigned filly Love Olivia (GB), who rewarded Amo Racing's investment by winning her first start before gaining valuable black type when third in the listed Marygate Stakes next time out. Twelve months prior, it was Matt Coleman of Stroud Coleman Bloodstock who went to 155,000gns for another of Whitsbury's homebred daughters of Havana Grey. The filly, since named Sexy Rascal, remains unraced for George Scott, the Rosier family and their partner. After withdrawals, the stallion has nine lots entered in this year's sale. These include the half sister to stakes winners Francisco's Piece and Windstormblack consigned by Norris Bloodstock (Lot 39); Bearstone Stud's brother to group 3 winner Eddie's Boy (GB), who also landed the Weatherbys Super Sprint (145); and the filly out of the listed-placed Tenaya Canyon from Whitsbury Manor (168). 4. Big updates boost appeal Nothing catches buyers' attention more than a recent black-type update, and a handful of lots have undoubtedly had their appeal enhanced by the accomplishments of their near relations. Oracle Horse Racing paid just 2,500gns for the Twilight Son (GB) colt out of Lunar Corona, who is being presented by Browne Brothers Bloodstock (51). While acknowledging that his sire is not exactly the height of sales ring fashion, having not had a six-figure yearling in a couple of years, the colt will surely be looked upon more kindly after his highly touted half sister Moon Target (GB) won her first two starts by an aggregate of 13 lengths, and was last seen finishing second in the Prestige Stakes (G3). Further pedigree enhancements could be in the offing too, as the Sir Mark Prescott-trained filly is due to contest the Fillies' Mile (G1) next month. Lynn Lodge Stud's Dandy Man (IRE) filly out of Neesaan (80) already made plenty of appeal as a half sister to a listed winner, but her sibling Waardah has taken her form to new heights since the catalog was released. Her win in the Agnes Keyser Stakes was followed by an even bigger performance to claim the Lillie Langtry Stakes (G2). 5. Up-and-comers in focus First-crop sires are always a hot topic of discussion come the yearling sales, and the Somerville will undoubtedly tell us more about how the market views those towards the more commercial end of the spectrum. Minzaal (IRE) had his reputation enhanced by supplying the top lot at last week's Premier Sale, with Shadwell paying £190,000 for the filly by their home sire. His Doncaster lots, which averaged £65,200, are being followed by three at the Somerville. The trio all have something to recommend them on pedigree, including the filly out of the listed-placed Aunt Bee (224), who is being consigned by Ringfort Stud, who of course bred Minzaal himself. Other first-crop sires with representatives at Tattersalls are: Baaeed (GB), Bayside Boy (IRE), Caturra (IRE), Dubawi Legend (IRE), Naval Crown (GB), Persian Force (IRE), Space Traveller (GB) and State Of Rest (IRE). The one-day sale begins Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. in the Park Paddocks.