Strong trade on Day 1 of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale

The broad buying bench delivered a commercial first session that saw four six-figure lots sold, a top price of €190,000, a median price of €30,000 and an average price of €32,827, increases of 13 per cent and five per cent on 2022’s Day 1 statistics. The day’s turnover of €6,729,500 which was an increase of three per cent and horses sold at 86 per cent. 

A daughter of Lope De Vega, bred by Stonethorn Stud Farm out of the Listed winner and Group 3-placed Drumfad (Acclamation), secured top lot honours (Lot 119). She is a half-sister to the exciting debut juvenile winner Bluedrum (Blue Point), who gave the pedigree a timely update with victory at Naas just last week for trainer Jessica Harrington.

The bidding kicked off at €30,000, and the main protagonists, Hubie de Burgh, Matt Houldsworth and Conor Quirke, took the price up through the ranks at speed until Quirke concluded matters at €190,000

"The filly was a stand-out for me, and ultimately it was the half-sister who got her over the line," reported Quirke. "She is lovely, hard to fault, and was well-placed here – the breeders are good at their job. Today was not her Cup Final, she is going to keep improving, which I appreciate. We like the sire, too; it all made sense."

"The horse was consigned by The Castlebridge Consignment, and Bill Dwan said: "She came from Kiltinan Stud, they have done a great job. She is a lovely filly and obviously had a well-timed pedigree update. The sire is having a great time too, and it all came together for today. There was a lot of interest, and she was vetted ten times. This sale was selected so she’d stand out, and the plan worked a treat."

"Dwan added: "There is a huge international presence here, as well as a lot of English and Irish trainers. We have been busy throughout, and we have had plenty of footfall in the barn. Horses will be sold today and tomorrow." 

Lot 83, a colt by the first-crop sire and 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko, is heading to Norway having been bought by agent Edgar Byrne with the Scandinavian-based trainer Niels Petersen for owner JC Organization.

"The Kameko is a lovely horse, we saw him yesterday and he was our top pick," said Petersen after going to €115,000 to secure the colt for his client. "For Scandinavia you tend to look for a well-balanced horse as our tracks are a little sharper, we don't have any straight courses. We also have both Dirt and Turf tracks, and he might be one that could suit either surface."

Edgar added: "JC Organization is a first-time shopper at Tattersalls Ireland, this horse was our top pick and suits the order. We did have to push to buy him, but you do for the right horse."

The sale was a fine pinhook for consignor Clenagh Castle Stud – the colt purchased as a foal for just 11,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale – and Adrian Costello said: "He was a gorgeous foal, and has done well all the way through." 

The day’s leading purchaser Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock was a busy throughout the day picking up seven lots, including two for the matching price of €100,000. He struck early on behalf of owner Andrew Megson buying Lot 12, a filly by Ten Sovereigns and a half-sister to last year’s good Listed winner and Group 3-placed Lakota Seven. 

"Ten Sovereigns is doing great with his first crop, this filly is a very good walker and very athletic," he said, from his spot on the balcony and alongside Harry Dunlop. "She has been bought for Andrew Megson, who is perhaps known more for a jumping string. Harry is helping the Megsons, and this filly is going into training with his brother Ed, who has a few fun horses to run on the Flat for the couple."

Of the September Yearling Sale, Bromley added: "It has been a lucky sale for me, I like this sale. I will say that this will be a good strong domestic trade today, it will be a solid trade." 

Bromley was wearing a slightly different hat when successfully purchasing a colt by Mehmas (Lot 141) out of the Holy Roman Emperor mare Empress Ella. 

"He is for an Irish breeze-up client," he reported. "It is punchy [the price], but I love the sire and this colt has a little more scope than some by Mehmas. He is very athletic, and we really believe this horse is a racehorse. Let's hope he is a weapon!"

The September Yearling Sale continues tomorrow with a further 253 quality yearlings on offer. The sale commences at 10.00am.