Records broken on the opening day of the September Yearling Sale
A sparkling opening day of the September Yearling Sale produced a set of results not witnessed at the sale since the pre-recession year of 2006.
The highlight of the session was of Lot 219, a son of Showcasing and sold by Ballyphilip Stud. He became the most expensive horse ever sold at the September Sale when setting a sale record of €230,000.
Successful purchaser was Michael O'Hagan, acting on behalf of Grovendale Advisory Services. On the phone throughout the bidding process, O'Hagan edged out agent Matt Coleman of Stroud Coleman Bloodstock to secure the colt described by auctioneer Alastair Pim as "poetry in motion".
"He's a real athlete," said O'Hagan. "We thought he was one of the nicest horses in the sale. Trainer Clive Cox picked him out individually, and he will be going into training with Clive on behalf of a client."
The day's second-highest price lot, a Kodiac colt consigned by Ballyvolane Stud (Lot 152), was knocked down for €200,000, this time agent Anthony Stroud successful on behalf of Godolphin.
Stroud said: "He is a lovely, athletic horse by a wonderful stallion who continues to produce good horses. This is my first time back at this sale in a good few years and I am very happy to be here."
The March-born colt is out of Queen Wasp (Shamardal) and is a half-brother to two winners, including Rusumaat (Arcano), rated 109 and winner of a Newbury handicap off a mark of 105 in July.
It is the first time that Godolphin has been listed as buyer at Tattersalls Ireland.
Just last week, Mrs Maura Gittins celebrated at the Doncaster St Leger Festival with her two-year-old Ellthea (Kodiac), who was purchased here last year for €88,000. The colt, trained by Karl Burke, is now being aimed for Listed glory.
Hoping lightning will strike twice, Maura's son Mark purchased Lot 104, a Rathbarry Stud-consigned Acclamation colt, for €110,000.
"He will go into training with Karl Burke and for me he was the stand-out yearling today," said Gittins. "He is by a very good sire who is having a great year and we are happy to get him."
The strong day's sale produced the best set of returns ever for day one of the September Sale, despite a smaller catalogue than in 2016, with an aggregate of €5,624,500 (+2%), a median of €24,000 (+20%), an average of €28,844 (+11%) and an unrivalled clearance rate of 90% (+7%), concluding the day on a hugely positive note.
The September Yearling Sale continues tomorrow, Wednesday 20 September with Part II of the sale on Thursday 21 September concluding yearling trade at Tattersalls Ireland. The sale will start at 10am each day.