Sheikh Mohammed Leads Charge at Tattersalls Book 1

Sheikh Mohammed has cut an understated figure standing by the Tattersalls parade ring over the three days of Book 1. Dressed in his customary sportswear and often in conversation with John Gosden, David Loder, or other members of his inner sanctum, the ruler of Dubai could almost blend into the crowd if not for the discreet presence of his close protection. However, there has been nothing low-key about Godolphin's spend during the blue-chip sessions of theTattersalls October Yearling Sale. A total of 23 new recruits have been added to the racing stable, which in turn has seen 19.625 million guineas pumped back into breeders' pockets. That eight-figure investment means Godolphin topped the Book 1 buyers' table by clear water. Five of those yearlings cost a seven-figure sum, including the sale's top lot, the Sea The Stars (IRE) colt out of Crystal Zvezda who fetched 3.7 million guineas Oct. 7. The buying spree also took in a Wootton Bassett colt out of Time Tunnel who headed trade during the concluding session Oct. 9 at 1.9 million guineas (US$2,654,417, 1 guinea=US$1.40). The Juddmonte team provided the sheikh's most determined adversary, but were ultimately left as the frustrated underbidder. The colt, a half brother to German listed winner Topanga, continued a fine week for the Cumanis' Fittocks Stud. "Wootton Bassett needs no introduction and he's from a very good farm," said Godolphin talent scout Anthony Stroud. "Our team and our leader thought he was an exceptional horse. We had to wait until the end to get him but we're delighted we have." Expanding on Sheikh Mohammed's attendance at Tattersalls, Stroud said: "We couldn't do it without him. Words can't really express how those of us who work for him feel about him, as should everyone who works in this industry, whoever you are, whether you're an auctioneer or a groom. Every year he keeps coming here, including during the Covid years, and I can't really express our gratitude enough. He really enjoys it and we depend on him for his eye." The leading agent has been the busiest buyer on the sales ground, not only at the center of Godolphin's activities but also buying under his Stroud Coleman Bloodstock agency, which signed for 23 lots for an outlay of 8.255 million guineas. "I've been buying for KHK Racing, for Peter Harris, and various other clients," he said before sharing his perspective on the Book 1 market. "The top end seems good but I'm sure it's tricky elsewhere. Although the average is very good considering the economic climate in Britain, and I think the figures stack up very well generally, polarized is probably the right word. "When you go to America, there are so many people investing. It's a smaller market here: it's us, the Coolmore team, and obviously Amo Racing. It's important to have competition, whether that's in the sales ring or on the racecourse. It's vital to have that, but this is just the way it is at this stage in time." Fittocks Stud ended Book 1 as the leading consignor by average, with five lots sold for a mean price of 1.27 million guineas and an aggregate of 6.35 million guineas. Three of those five ended up inside the sale's top 10, led by the Frankel (GB) colt out of Innevera who brought 2.2 million guineas from Godolphin on Day 2. Turnover for the three-day sale was 127,226,000 guineas (US$178,116,400) for the 395 horses who changed hands. The average price was 322,090 guineas (US$450,926), with a median of 210,000 guineas (US$294,000), all down slightly from last year's Book 1 results. At the conclusion of Book 1, Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony commented: "Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale consistently showcases the finest British-, Irish-, French-, and German-bred yearlings to a global audience and this year's renewal has been no exception. Longview Stud's Sea The Stars colt out of Crystal Zvezda and Newsells Park Stud's Frankel colt out of Aljazzi, which realized 3,700,000 guineas and 3,600,000 guineas respectively, are the two highest-priced yearlings in the world this year. "A remarkable 70 lots have sold for 500,000 guineas or more as we have welcomed buyers from throughout the world to Park Paddocks. As ever, the support from the Gulf region has been a feature as has the large number of American buyers who have purchased more than 40 yearlings. "Last year's renewal of Europe's premier yearling sale was widely regarded as one of the more remarkable sales of recent years, bucking the trend of earlier yearling sales that autumn with wide-margin increases in all the key metrics. Those results saw the bloodstock market take a significant upturn over the last 12 months and whilst a drop in average and median were to be expected with the larger catalog, it has been gratifying to return figures that are second only to last year's record renewal. "We now turn our attention to Books 2 and 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale which begins on Monday."