Starspangledbanner Colt Tops Record Tattersalls Sale

Newmarket trainers descended on Fairyhouse en masse for this year's edition of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale. George Scott duly ensured the raiding party was bringing the sales topper back across the Irish Sea after bidding €200,000 (US$234,000, €1=US$1.17) for a son of Starspangledbanner (AUS) midway through another lively session Sept. 24. The colt was bred by Hamwood Stud from Broderie Anglaise, a Galileo sibling to seven black-type performers, including group 3 scorer Hearthstead Maison and the group 1-placed Moth and Rave Reviews. Joey Logan was consigned to the position of underbidder. "He's for Gary White, who bought Command The Stars here last year," said Scott, who signed alongside bloodstock agent Billy Jackson Stops. "He was at the sale but sadly he had to jump on a plane. We took him around 10 horses and this was the one he really wanted. "He was quite an obvious colt. I think he's been brought here to stand out, and he certainly stood out to us. He's a big physical, by an excellent stallion and out of a Galileo mare, and from a really good consignment too. I thought he might make a little bit more to be honest, it just depended on whether two people really wanted him." Scott has done his part to bring the sale to buyers' attention, having sent out two stakes-winning graduates in recent weeks. The aforementioned Command The Stars (IRE) was last seen landing a listed contest at Craon earlier in the month, while Caballo de Mar (IRE) won the German St Leger (G3) less than 48 hours before trade got under way. "All credit to the sales company, they've got some really good stock here this year and it's been a really successful sale," Scott said. "They've really deserved these results. We could've bought a lot of nice horses here, it's been a fantastic sale." Those sentiments were echoed by Bill Dwan, whose Castlebridge Consignment topped the vendors' chart with 37 sold lots generating receipts worth €1,933,000. "It's been a superb sale," he said. "From the first day we started showing, we were so, so busy. It's carried right through to the end. We're here late this evening and it's still exceptionally strong. We sold three horses for over €150,000 today so you'd have to be over the moon. We always try to bring a few nice horses here and have been lucky here down through the years. "We brought a nice Sea The Stars horse here last year and he's won a listed race for George, so hopefully the Starspangledbanner will do the same. It's relentless. Now, the one thing I will say is that there's definitely a better standard of horse here this year compared to previous years—everyone has upped their game. Between Tattersalls Ireland and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, everyone has done a great job to get the buyers here." Figures for the two-day sale posted some eye-popping returns. Turnover was up fully 51% to €18,759,500 (US$21,948,615), the average price rose 48% to €42,635 (US$49,883), and the median was up 54% to €37,000 (US$43,290). All three indices showed clear sale records. The financial details were underpinned by a rock-solid clearance rate of 93% as 440 yearlings found a buyer from 474 offered. The Tattersalls September Yearling Sale Part II takes place Sept. 25 at 10 am local time.