Strong demand at the September Yearling Sale
The busy trade seen on Day 1 of the two-day Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, which produced a record-breaking session median of €30,000 and an average of €32,357, continued apace into Day 2.
The continued consistent and lively bidding across the two days saw this year’s September Yearling Sale create a new median record of €28,000. The average of €30,995 and the turnover of €12,522,000 are the sale’s second-best, and the three statistics are increases of eight per cent, three per cent and one per cent on 2022’s returns. The 404 horses sold over the two days from the 473 offered produced an 85 per cent clearance rate. 113 horses sold for €40,000 or more and four topped the €100,000 mark.
Day 2’s top lot was Ballyvolane Stud’s pinhooked son of first-crop sire Wooded, purchased online by Robson Aguiar for €88,000 (Lot 347). It is the second-best price given so far for a yearling from the first crop of the Group 1 sire.
"Consignor John Foley, who bought the colt as a foal for €15,000, said: "Wooded is a Group 1-winning son of Wootton Bassett and last year I really wanted to buy a foal by him. This colt was a good-moving foal, a bit weak, and I thought there was a chance he might grow into a nice horse. Most people who saw him this week have said that he was one of the best physicals here, and he has been very popular."
Of the decision to sell at the September Yearling Sale, Foley added: "It has been a lucky sale for us – we sold Sir Busker here and last year we sold a nice Fast Company horse to Kennet Valley and he has run twice and won in September [Fast Society]. We always try and sell a nice horse here.”
Lot 439, a Boherguy Stud-offered colt by Teofilo, was purchased by an absent Richard Ryan, Matt Houldsworth in the sale ring and acting on behalf of the buyer.
Bred by trainer Jim Bolger, the colt is out of the winning New Approach Slaney East, who is closely related to the dual Group 1 and Classic winner Poetic Flare (Dawn Approach) and an own-sister to the Listed winner and Group 3-placed Glamorous Approach.
Ryan said on the phone: “I could not make it to the sale, but the colt came highly recommended by his breeder and I have seen plenty of footage of him. He is a physical doppelganger of a horse by Teofilo we had previously called Gear Up. Teofilo is leading sire and this horse has a Classic page. He has been bought for a successful partnership and will remain in Ireland.”
Three colts sold for €80,000 apiece – Mark Grant purchased Glidawn Stud’s colt by Sioux Nation as a breeze-up prospect (Lot 373); Lot 461, a Tally-Ho Stud-consigned son of Earthlight, was bought by Cristiana Brivio of Razza Latina, one of 11 bought by the Italian agent and the busiest purchaser over the two days, while Robin O’Ryan, acting for trainer Richard Fahey, purchased Castletown Quarry Stud’s pinhooked colt by Belardo (Lot 391).
The Parkhill family’s Castletown Quarry Stud is well known for consigning NH sale-toppers, but it has proved itself equally adept at producing Flat horses and got itself a pinhooking touch the colt purchased as a foal for just €6,500.
Commenting on the conclusion of the September Yearling Sale, Tattersalls Ireland, CEO Simon Kerins said:
“Today completes two very successful days of trade at the September Yearling Sale, resulting in a turnover surpassing €12,522,000, the second highest ever recorded for this sale. It was immensely satisfying to see advancements in most key indicators with this year’s catalogue producing a record median and the second highest average for the two days. There was also a record number of lots making over €40,000 a testament to the solid trade.
“Results do speak volumes and up to last weekend, the September Yearling Sale was Europe’s leading sale for two-year-winners, complemented by Dawn Charger and Tiger Belle’s recent Group 3 success in France. It is these winners that have reinforced the confidence with new and existing buyers to come to Fairyhouse, with more buyers in attendance than ever before. Heartfelt appreciation must go to Charles O’ Neill and his team at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing for their exceptional efforts that have contributed to a very successful week.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the vendors who supported us with a catalogue worthy of attracting so many visitors to the site. We wish all our purchasers continued success with their purchases as they go on to achieve great things on the racetrack.”
Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale Part II concludes tomorrow at 10am. All lots are eligible for the €250,000 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes 2024 at The Curragh