Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale Begins Monday

Each year the Tattersalls Horses in Training sale attracts a huge international clientele, testifying to the ongoing popularity of British and Irish horses throughout the world, and the faith that the international racing industry has in the quality of British racing and ratings system. The top end of the market at this sale has gone from strength to strength in recent years. Previously, the expensive purchases of the sale were destined for the jumping game, and although that continues to be a strong market, now these horses are often purchased to continue their careers on the flat, both at home and abroad. Last year's sale saw an active Australian presence, which has been increasing incrementally over the last decade, and the top lot from 2016, Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), who was bought for 520,000gns from the popular Juddmonte consignment, recently won a Group 3 in Australia. This strong demand for quality horses has ensured plenty of depth in the market, with horses also heading to Dubai, Qatar, the USA, Russia and Hong Kong to name but a few.

Some owners feel that there can be more value found in buying a proven prospect on the flat than in the unknown quantity of yearlings. This could well be the view of successful owner Tony Bloom, who landed the handicap highlight of the English flat season, the valuable Betfred Cesarewitch with a spectacular performance from Withhold (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), masterfully trained by Roger Charlton. He was shrewdly bought here last year by his current owner, again from the Juddmonte draft, with that race in mind, as it is now worth upwards of £155,000 in prize money for first place, and so his 170,000 gns purchase price was recompensed in one fell swoop. He was backed into 5-1 and from the moment the gates opened, he dominated the race and never looked in danger. Expect more to come from this progressive 4-year-old stayer.

This year, the sale will take place over five days rather than the usual four. It is the largest ever catalogue with over 1700 lots numbered, however as usual, the high number of withdrawals should reduce this by more than 400. The sale begins Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. local time, and concludes on Friday, where it will be followed directly after by Tattersalls Book 4 yearlings. Last year saw an aggregate of 25,137,100gns, from 949 horses sold of the 1,032 offered, and an average price of more than 25,000gns.

The sale saw another timely update with Librisa Breeze (GB) (Mount Nelson {Ire}) winning the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S. at Ascot last Saturday for trainer Dean Ivory. He was bought from this sale in 2015 for 90,000gns by Stephen Hillen from the Ballydoyle draft, who this year consign the Group 2-winning filly Elizabeth Browning (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 247). She is a full sister to Johannes Vermeer (Ire), who recently finished second in the G1 Caulfield S., and third in the G1 Caulfield Cup Down Under, on his run up to the G1 Melbourne Cup on Nov. 7. She provides a rare opportunity to buy into this blue-blooded family.

Friday saw two horses due to pass through the ring this week add to their race records, with Colonel Frank (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) (lot 1027), winning at Newbury for trainer Ed Walker. He was followed half an hour later at the same track by Alaadel (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 187), from Shadwell's 32-strong draft, who took his second career win over six furlongs. This consistent 4-year-old only started running in May this year for trainer William Haggas, and is out of the Pivotal (GB) mare Infallible (GB), winner of the G3 Nell Gwyn S., and dam of Group 2 winner Mutakayyef (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Five wildcard entries were announced on Tuesday, and the first to pass through the ring will be Lot 317A, The Statesman (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}), from dual purpose trainer Ian Williams. This progressive gelding is coming off two wins on the flat, at Sandown and Newmarket, and a win on his first attempt over hurdles at Ludlow, where he demolished the field by 16 lengths. The Statesman was sold at this sale last year for 90,000gns. He will be followed immediately after by the Michael Appelby-trained Big County (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) (lot 317B) who has a Timeform rating of 113.

As always, the prodigious Juddmonte draft will be one of the focus points of the sale. Harlem has already had a mention as a Group 3 winner since the sale, and they also sold Convey (GB) (Dansili {GB}) who won the G3 Betway Winter Derby S. at Lingfield in February, followed by the Betway Easter Classic All-Weather Middle Distance Championships a month later, earning over £180,000 in the process, against his 130,000gns purchase price. This year they sell Pharonic (GB) (Dansili {GB}) (lot 1103), the half-brother to G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner New Bay (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}); and 103-rated Platitude (GB) (Dansili {GB}) (lot 1095), trained by Sir Michael Stoute, as well as a handful of well-bred fillies.

Several of the larger Newmarket stables often have sizeable drafts here, and Sir Mark Prescott's yard provides one of the highlights of the sales when his horses are ridden over from Heath House Stables to parade under the lights at Tattersalls. He sells Lot 722 A, the classy stayer Flymetothestars (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who is coming off a fourth-place effort in the G3 Qatar Prix Gladiateur.

Again from Newmarket, Morando (Fr) (Kendargent {Ire}) (lot 1131), was second last time out in a Group 3 in France, and he is consigned by his trainer, Roger Varian's, Carlburg Stables. This 4-year-old gelding is already a listed winner and is lightly raced, with only nine lifetime starts, and has shown very consistent form at stakes level this year.

Another quality draft comes from Sir Michael Stoute, which also has the addition of five horses from the Ballymacoll Dispersal, including the useful 3-year-old Pivoine (Ire) (lot 691), by Redoute's Choice (Aua), who has been improving throughout the year and has a Timeform rating of 102+. Also from this draft comes the Group 2 winner Across The Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (lot 692), who boasts a Timeform rating of 113.