More encouraging figures through two days of Book 3 took the entirety of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale to a new record for turnover of more than 211,035,300 guineas (US$293,718,085, 1 guinea=US$1.39).
Despite pragmatic expectations when the action began Oct. 6, the keynote Book 1 sessions realized figures close to their very best, while Book 2 set new highs across the board.
A lower-profile final session of Book 3 Oct. 16 failed to add greatly to the aggregate of Oct. 15 and it finished with a grand total of 9,193,800 guineas (US$12,795,894) just 3% below 12 months ago, with 375 yearlings selling out of 442 for a clearance rate of 85%. The average of 24,582 guineas (US$34,213) was up 4% on last year, while the median ended 5% down at 18,000 guineas (US$25,052). A small Book 4 catalog kept trade ticking along.
Tattersalls managing director Matthew Prior said: "Books 1 to 4 of the October Yearling Sale represent the most important fortnight in the European bloodstock calendar, bringing together the finest yearlings from Britain, Ireland, and further afield, and presenting them to a global audience at Park Paddocks, in the heart of Newmarket.
"The past two weeks have produced an exceptional set of results, further underlining the enduring international appeal of the October Yearling Sale and Tattersalls' position as the gateway to the very best of European bloodstock.
"Turnover for Books 1 to 4 has reached a record 210 million guineas, the fourth time in the past five years that the October Yearling Sale has exceeded 200 million guineas."
Prior's closing statement noted, among a number of eye-catching figures, a European record price of 4.6 million guineas for a yearling colt, the 17 yearlings realizing seven figures, and 68 selling for 500,000 guineas or more.
"That these 68 yearlings account for 75% of all yearlings to reach this level in Europe this year is a particularly striking illustration of the strength of the October Yearling Sale," he said.
Prior added that the strength through the books provided a "tremendous boost" as attention switched to the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale at the end of the month and onwards to the foals and breeding stock.
"These results are a testament to the breeders and consignors whose continued support ensures that the October Yearling Sale attracts buyers in such numbers year after year," he said. "Our sincere thanks go to everyone who contributed to the success of this year's sale.
"We look forward to welcoming buyers from around the world back to Newmarket and approach the final sales of the year with considerable optimism."
Session Topper for Oct. 16
Aspiring bloodstock agent Jess Tregoning looks to be adding fresh impetus to her family's classic-winning stable as Friday's session-topping Goken filly joined a small group of her signings from Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
The daughter of trainer Marcus Tregoning, who had spells working for Annabel Neasham in Australia and much closer to home with Ralph Beckett, is already running her own low-cost syndicate named Corinthian Racing, but this individual produced by Chasemore Farm was knocked down for 70,000 guineas (US$97,426) in tandem with John and Sue Davis, longtime owner/breeders and patrons of the yard.
The April 24-born bay (Lot 1615) is out of the 2011 Albany Stakes (G3)-placed Illaunglass and therefore a half sister to Chasemore's stakes-placed Illaunmore, who has produced the Surrey farm's Lancashire Oaks Stakes (G2) winner Tattycoram, as well as 2023 Gimcrack Stakes (G2) runner-up Johannes Brahms.
