THE BEGINNING OF THE YEARLING SALES
By Megan Bulbulia
The first yearling sale of the year has been and gone, and if it is anything to go by, I would be very tempted to buy a foal and try and get it to a yearling sale next year!
Records were shattered at the Arqana yearling sale in Deauville, with the most expensive yearling ever sold in France, falling under the hammer to Coolmore for €4.6 million. The previous record was a Night of Thunder filly sold for €3 million last year.
Godolphin have spent a total of €13.3 million, accounting for 20% of the overall turnover, which was nearly €67 million. They signed for a total of 9 yearlings, meaning their average spend per horse was about €1.5 million. Other key players have included Rabbah, Juddmonte, and interestingly Mike Repole purchased 5 yearlings that seem to be heading to European based trainers. He is an interesting character, with huge prominence in American racing, owning horses such as Uncle Mo, Vino Rosso and Fierceness. He has been very vocal about his dis-satisfaction with the state of American racing, so his move towards European bred horses could be an interesting shift in his business model. He is an owner that could shift the market if he buys to same level as he does in America.
Another interesting character who sprung onto the sales scene at Arqana, is Yoshita Yahagi, who purchased a Siyouni colt from the family of Diamond Necklace and Emily Dickinson. He is one of Japan’s greatest trainers, recently training both Shin Emperor and Forever Young.
High prices for yearlings at Arqana
Back to the top lot at Arqana, the €4.6 million colt. Coolmore sold the mare (while she was in foal to this colt) for 900,000 gns, and MV Magnier admitted publicly to being the ‘clowns’ who have had to now buy him back. He is out of Deadly Nightshade, who is a full sister to Scandinavia. While watching the results of the Arqana sale, I couldn’t help but think what this means for the upcoming yearling sales, and decided to look through the catalogue for probably the most notable of the yearling sales, Tattersalls Book 1.
I did not expect to see such a definitive link between the Arqana sale, and Tattersalls, but nonetheless, the very first lot through the ring in October at Tattersalls will be out of the dam Fabulous, who is the dam of the aforementioned Deadly Nightshade and Scandinavia. This lot may well set the tone for a very prosperous sale, and certainly sets the tone for the high level of horses that are being offered. Last year the highest price through the ring at Book 1 was bought by Godolphin for 3.7 million gns. Amo Racing were the second leading buyer, spending a total of 13.6 million gns. I have not seen Lot 1, the Siyouni filly, but she could easily be a record breaker if her physical matches her pedigree.
Others to note after a quick glance through the catalogue for Tattersalls Book 1 include lot 10 (Sioux Nation x Flora Danica), 60 (Night of Thunder x Kentucky Belle), 87 (Wootton Bassett x Loch Lein), 113 (Siyouni x Millisle), 346 (Frankel x Alcohol Free), 464 (Blue Point x Etoile Bleu). With plenty of relations to Group 1 performers, the yearling sales may prove to be as competitive as the race track this year!
Another exciting dimension of the yearling sales will also be how the market responds to the first season sires. So far at Arqana, Chaldean has led with five yearlings selling for an average of €202,000. Aga Khan first season sire Everann was also well supported with a €148,000 average for four yearlings sold, Everann stands for just €8,000. Other First Season sires to watch will be Arc winner Ace Impact, Good Guess, Little Big Bear, Modern Games, Mostahdaf and Paddington.
The Goffs sale at Doncaster has also been and gone, it is well known for producing early types. Recent graduates include July Cup (G1) winner No Half Measures, and Phoenix Stakes (G1) winner Power Blue, both costing less than £50,000. Sun Goddess also hailed from this sale, as did multiple Group winner Lush Lips.
As the flat racing is beginning to wind down, the next superstars are being prepped for the sales, ready to start their journey to the racecourse and the cycle will begin again! As Harry said in his introduction, keep an eye out on your emails, as the team have been busy at the recent yearling sales, and will head to the Goffs Orby sale in Ireland, and Tattersalls later in October in search for some talent!
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