Maher Secures Session Topper at Tattersalls HIT Sale

Leading Australian trainer Ciaron Maher went on a late-night spending spree to ensure a lively conclusion to the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale Oct. 28. Wednesday's top lot was the lightly raced Tyrrhenian Thunder (GB), who brought a winning bid of 600,000 guineas (US$840,000, 1 guinea=US$1.40) from Maher's head of bloodstock Will Bourne. The 2-year-old son of Night of Thunder (IRE) made his debut for Adrian Keatley less than six weeks ago, but got off the mark at the first time of asking before showing himself to be well above average when finishing second to King High (GB) in the Silver Tankard Stakes at Pontefract Racecourse. "He's very lightly raced but ran a huge figure the other day," said Bourne, who signed alongside Billy Jackson-Stops' JS Bloodstock. "He's by Night of Thunder, so even though he's still doing a few things wrong as a 2-year-old, we're hoping he can progress over a mile once he gets down to Oz. "That was Ciaron on the phone. He's amazingly across every single horse here, as well as all his own at home! He always keeps you on your toes as he knows these horses thoroughly. He really liked this horse's runs and form." Tyrrhenian Thunder was offered through Consign. His session-topping status ensured a tidy return for connections after he was purchased by Keatley and agent Dan Astbury for €300,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale. He had previously made 165,000 guineas when bought by Joey Logan as a Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2 yearling. Just a few lots before Tyrrhenian Thunder, Bourne secured the progressive Organ at 375,000 guineas. The 4-year-old son of Ulysses (IRE) won three races for Martyn Meade and was last seen scoring by 7 1/2 lengths on his stable debut for Owen Burrows. That effort was given a Racing Post Rating of 104. Bourne also struck at 325,000 guineas for Winday, a winning son of Galiway (GB), who was last seen finishing third in the Prix Chaudenay (G2) for Emmet Mullins and owner Paul Byrne. Wallace returns to Walker This year's Solario Stakes (G3) winner Alfred Wallace (GB) is returning to Ed Walker, albeit for new owners, having brought 450,000 guineas from Dermot Farrington. The agent said: "He's been bought for Fitri and Jim Hay. He's one of the best-bred horses in the catalog, by a brilliant stallion, and has shown top-class form throughout the summer. He goes back to Ed Walker." The 2-year-old was bred and owned by the Keswick family's Rockcliffe Stud. He is by Dubawi (IRE) and out of 2021 Falmouth Stakes (G1) heroine Snow Lantern (GB). In turn, the group 1-winning dam is out of another top-level scorer in the brilliant Sky Lantern (IRE), whose victories include the 2012 Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1), and 2013 One Thousand Guineas (G1), Coronation Stakes (G1), and Sun Chariot Stakes (G1). The Autumn Horses in Training sale concludes Oct. 29, with the fourth and final session starting at 9:30 a.m. local time.