Lot 218: Flat jockey Lewis Edmunds, who won on Everyoneknowsadave on the horse's last start over a mile at Southwell, makes the most of his knowledge recommending him to owner Tony Hession, who is the successful buyer signing as the Mayflower Racing Club at 30,000gns.
The three-year-old gelding by Kodiac has run six times for Newmarket-based trainer Amy Murphy, has won twice on the All-Weather, including once as a juvenile. He is now going into training with Jessica Macey, Edmunds' wife.
Edmunds said, "When I rode him, I thought he was quite a nice horse. After he won, Amy said that he was coming to the sales and if we could find an owner for him we know where he is. We brought Tony along here, he looked him and liked him, and it has all worked out well. Hopefully, the horse will be lucky."
Of options for the horse moving forwards, Edmunds outlined: "I think we will stick with what he is doing running over 7f to a mile. When I rode him he felt like an improving three-year-old and he has low mileage.
"He is rated 74, I thought that he might have the potential to get to a mark in the high 70s, possibly in the 80s. If he can do that, then we can get to tracks such as Doncaster, which is near to us, and will give some nice days out for the owners. We are just looking for a good fun horse who could be consistent."
When describing being a jockey and buying in the ring having ridden a horse on the track, he laughed: "Any advantage can help!" (12:06)
Lot 194: Gemmari, a three-year-old by Expert Eye and from the always-popular Richard Hannon's East Everleigh Stables draft, sells for 39,000gns and is going back to the Hannon yard purchased by Peter and Ross Doyle.
Bred and raced by Lady Howard de Walden, Gemmari finished second over 1m4f at Kempton in the middle of this month. He is out of the Lillie Langtry Stakes (G3) winner Gravitation (Galileo) and is a half-brother to the Listed-placed runners Gibeon and Gemina, and the Listed-placed juvenile hurdler Genuflex.
He is from the direct family of the Irish Derby (G1), Gold Cup (G1), Coronation Cup and Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) winner Fame And Glory. (11:06)
Lot 183: bought by an online bid from Woodridge Stables, Beauty Generation, consigned by Marco Botti's Prestige Place, makes 26,000gns.
The four-year-old by Ulysses was a winner two, and once at four since the catalogue was published, is a daughter of the Listed-placed Banana Split (Kyllachy), and from the extended family of the five-time Group 1 winner and 2020's European champion three-year-old colt Palace Pier. (10:43)
Tattersalls February Sale: Day 1
Day 1 statistics: +/- compared with last year's session
Catalogued: 168 (190)
Offered: 131 (143)
Sold: 114 (100)
Turnover: 2,509,500gns (+78%)
Median: 14,500gns (+107%)
Average: 22,013gns (+56%)
% Sold: 87% (70%)
Leading consignors (by agg): 1. Godolphin, 2. Barton Sales, 3. The Castlebridge Consignment
Leading purchasers (by agg): 1. Alessandro Marconi, 2. Ciaron Maher Racing, 3. Durcan Bloodstock
Leading sires (by agg): 1. Dubawi, 2. Australia, 3. Night Of Thunder
Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Kingman, 2. Night Of Thunder, 3. Lope De Vega
Top five
1. Lot 124: Galashiels (IRE) 2019 Ch.G. >> Godolphin >> Ciaron Maher Racing >> 220,000gns
2. Lot 134: Scarlet Princess (GB) 2022 B.F. >> Godolphin >> Alessandro Marconi >> 130,000gns
3. Lot 109: Modernise (GB) 2022 B.C. >> Juddmonte Alessandro Marconi >> 90,000gns
4. Lot 128: Helen Keller (GB) 2022 B.F. >> Godolphin >> Alessandro Marconi >> 90,000gns
5. Lot 127: Paradise Springs (GB) 2022 B.F. >> Godolphin >> T Hillman / Windgates Stud >> 82,000gns
6. Lot 135: Wedding Band (GB) 2021 Ch.F. >> Godolphin >> Durcan Bloodstock >> 80,000gns (18:01)
Lot 134: Scarlet Princess, by Kingman and from Godolphin, is yet another bought by Alessandro Marconi. She is the agent's 15th purchase today, and all lots have been secured for the same client.
"The horses will be assessed and we go from there," said Marconi. "We were lucky buying here in July, I recommended this sale as I felt it offered good value – that is why we are here."
He added: "My client operates a large, emerging syndicate and is based in the Middle East. There are some big plans and horses will be based both in Europe and the Middle East. Once the purchases have finished racing, they could be breeding prospects. My client has been very loyal to me."
The three-year-old Scarlet Princess has run twice and finished third on both occasions. She is out of Lady Marian, a champion in Germany, and winner of the Prix d'Opera (G1) and placed in the Preis der Diana (G1). She has bred five winners, including Loxley (New Approach), a two-time Group 2 winner. (17:05)
Lot 128: out of the Sweet Solera Stakes (G3) winner Discourse (Street Cry) and by Night Of Thunder, Helen Keller is bought by Alessandro Marconi for 90,000gns.
She is a three-year-old unraced filly and is a half-sister to Blown By Wind, winner of the Jebel Ali Mile (G3), while Discourse is a half-sister to Bandini, winner of the Blue Grass Stakes (G1), and to the dam of Lord North, winner of the Dubai Turf (G1) and the Prince Of Wales's Stakes (G1). (17:00)
Lot 127: Paradise Springs (Ghaiyyath), also from the Godolphin draft, makes 82,000gns bought by Timmy Hillman, and Windgates Stud.
"It’s a very good family with Naval Crown under the first dam," said Hillman. "It goes back to a good Kilfrush line and there’s a lot going as the dam has a couple of Dubawis to come and is going back to him.
"Her half-sister Spring Promise is also in-foal to Dubawi. This is a good-looking filly, who was well backed when she ran at Newmarket. Plans are undecided but she’ll likely stay over here for now." (16:48)
Lot 124: Galashiels, previously in training with Andre Fabre for Godolphin, is heading to Australia, bought by Ciaran Maher Racing for 220,000gns.
The six-year-old gelding by Australia can boast of Listed race success and Group 3-placed form in France over 1m4f. He has won five times and finished placed five times from 14 starts. He is out of the Listed-placed mare Glenmayne (Duke Of Marmalade) and she is a half-sister to Millisle, a champion two-year-old in Europe in 2019 and winner of the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1).
Maher was not at Tattersalls for the February Sale, and agent Colm Sharkey was in charge of signing the docket on the Australian trainer's behalf, jockey Jamie spencer having bidding at the top of the left-hand back stairs.
"The horse fits the profile for Australia, he has the form and pedigree, and Ciaran picked the horse out," said Sharkey. "He will be let down and will probably head out on the next flight. He made more than we expected, but Ciaran was keen to get him and has been lucky buying from Andre Fabre before."
Gerry McGrath sat in the seat was underbidder. (16:42)
Lot 109: agent Alessandro Marconi buys a 12th horse today, this time going to 90,000gns for Modernise, a three-year-old colt by Frankel sold by Juddmonte.
The colt has run again since the catalogue was published finishing third at Southwell over a mile in January.
Marconi admitted that he was delighted with the back cover of the sale catalogue – it features two horses bought by him and winners of Group 1s, and it may have helped with this transaction.
"I have to thank the Tattersalls marketing department for putting Metropolitan and Facteur Cheval on the back of the catalogue," he smiled, adding: "It may have helped with my client!"
Of plans for Modernise, he outlined: "I will take this horse to France and see how he is. He will run in France, and we have a couple of trainers in mind, but it needs a little thinking about. I am very keen on having horses in the Emirates and in Europe."
Marconi added of the individual: "He is by a great sire, he is unexposed, he is from a Classic trainer, he seems as though he will develop into a very nice three-year-old over a Classic trip, hopefully the ground and racing in France will suit." (16:02)
Lot 78: the Saxon Warrior colt out of Desirous (Kingman), a half-sister to last year's Prix de l'Arc De Triomphe winner Bluestocking, is bought by Najd Stud for 58,000gns.
"He will go to Saudi Arabia from here, we like his sire and he is obviously from a very good family. His dam Desirous won twice herself, too," said Sroor Alotaibi, agent for Najd.
Desirous has one runner – Sand Gazelle (Frankel), who was a 425,000gns yearling, won on her two-year-old debut at Kempton in December, looking a promising type in the making.
The colt was sold by Tom Blain's Barton Stud and he said: "He was bred by our good friend Faisal Bin Mishref al Qahtani, and he has decided to reduce his bloodstock interests.
"But he has had a great time with this family – there have been some big updates and Faisal has sold the progeny out of the mare well. It is as good a page as there is and there is plenty more to come." (14:41)
Lot 53: the five-year-old Zahra Jamila is heading to Blythe Park Stud in Derbyshire, purchased by Bob Russell, who had particular reasons for selecting this grey mare to join the broodmare band at home.
"I have the mum Heart's Content and the half-sister Zestful, who was placed at Listed level over hurdles," said Russell who paid 50,000gns for the Dubawi mare. "This mare is the spit of her Mum. Options are open for Zahra Jamila and I don't have any stallion plans as yet."
Zahra Jamila is an own-sister to Heartily, who was a Listed winner and Group 3 placed in Germany.
Heart's Content is in-foal to The National Stud-based Stradivarius, who paraded here earlier today. (14:02)
Lot 25: the one-time winner Publicist, by Dark Angel and out of Diary, the Green Desert close-relation to the champion three-year-old sprinter of 2009 and Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Total Gallery, is bought by Norman Court Stud for 52,000gns from Houghton Bloodstock.
She was sold in-foal on an April cover to Modern Games and has had two previous foals – a 2023 filly by Palace Pier and a 2024 colt by Sea The Stars. (13:13)
Lot 15: Fresh Air (Montjeu), sold by The National Stud Ltd, is bought by Sam Sangster Bloodstock for 38,000gns. She was sold not in-foal.
The winning Listed-placed mare has produced three winners, including the 2024 two-year-old winner Texas Starlight (Pinatubo).
She is a half-sister to the Listed winner and Group 2-placed Barsanti, to the dam of the multiple Grade 1 winner and champion Close Hatches, and the Grade 2 winners Tacitus and Scylla, and to the dam of the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) winner Siskin.
It is the further family of the 1997 juvenile champion Xaar. (12:51)
Selling is starting now (12:14)
Today's sale is preceded by the RoR Showcase at 11am, a parade of nine former racehorses who have excelled in second careers, and then the Tattersalls Stallion Parade, which is due to start at 11.30am.
Nine British-based stallions are at Tattersalls this morning, are available for inspection in the left and right yards, and will be shown off in the sale ring before selling starts. (09:41)
Good morning and welcome to a beautiful sunny morning at Park Paddock, a wonderful way to kick off the 2025 sales season at Tattersalls (09:37)
Tattersalls 2024
Annual statistics: +/- compared with last year
Catalogued: 8,398 (9,142)
Offered: 6,588 (7,182)
Sold: 5,471 (5,869)
Turnover: 424,471,500gns (+21%)**
Average: 77,586gns (+30%)**
% Sold: 83% (82%)
** records (16:25)
Tattersalls December
December Sale statistics: +/- compared with last year
Catalogued: 2,208 (2,339)
Offered: 1,785 (1,892)
Sold: 1,448 (1,426)
Turnover: 133,741,200gns (+31%)**
Median: 32,000gns (+28%)**
Average: 92,363gns (+29%)**
% Sold: 81% (75%)
** records (15:30)
Tattersalls December Mares Sale
December Mares Sale statistics: +/- compared with last year
Catalogued: 1,002 (1,067)
Offered: 795 (842)
Sold: 667 (630)
Turnover: 83,067,200gns (+23%)**
Median: 38,000gns (+27%)**
Average: 125,539gns (+16%)**
% Sold: 84% (75%)
** records
Top lot: Lot 1753: You Got To Me (GB) 2021 B.F. >> Newsells Park Stud Ltd. >> Amo Racing >> 4,800,000gns
Leading consignors (by agg, cumulative): 1. The Castlebridge Consignment, 2. Newsells Park Stud Ltd., 3. Juddmonte
Leading purchasers (by agg, cumulative): 1. Amo Racing, 2. Resolute Bloodstock, 3. MV Magnier
Leading sires (by agg, cumulative): 1. Mehmas, 2. Nathaniel, 3. Frankel
Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Mehmas, 2. Nathaniel, 3. Zarak
Top five lots
Lot 1753: You Got To Me (GB) 2021 B.F. >> Newsells Park Stud Ltd. >> Amo Racing >> 4,800,000gns
Lot 1770A: Vertical Blue (IRE) 2022 B.F. >> Graffard Racing, France >> Resolute Bloodstock 3,200,000gns
Lot 1740: Believing (IRE) 2020 B.F. >> Highclere Stud >> M V Magnier >> 3,000,000gns
Lot1466: Caught U Looking (IRE) 2021 B.F. >> Tally-Ho Stud, Ireland >> Willingham >> 1,800,000gns
Lot 1750: River of Stars (IRE) 2019 B.M. >> Kimpton Down Stables (R. Beckett) >> Oakley Creek 1,650,000gns
Lot 1770B: The Palace Girl (GER) 2022 B.F. >> Slievebrook House (K. Coleman) >> D, Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC >> 1,550,000gns (14:15)
Chairman's Statement
“Exactly eight weeks ago we reflected on a Tattersalls yearling sale of breathtaking proportions. Book 1 of the 2024 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale broke every conceivable record and the momentum from those extraordinary three days has shaped the entire Tattersalls sales season since.
“Record after record has been broken in the past two months, culminating in a Tattersalls December Mares Sale which has produced sustained international demand from start to finish and again reached unprecedented heights. It has been a fitting way to end an extraordinary year which at times has left even the most seasoned commentators a little stunned.
"The Tattersalls December Mares Sale is an annual barometer for the international thoroughbred breeding industry and the records for turnover, average and median suggest that the appetite for the best European bloodstock is as strong as ever. There are few stages in the world that compare with the unique atmosphere of a packed Tattersalls sale ring and yet again the elite Sceptre Sessions provided some compelling theatre and memorable highlights. The sale-topping 4,800,000 guineas Classic winner YOU GOT TO ME is the highest-priced filly or mare in the world this year, the outstanding French Group 1 winner VERTICAL BLUE became the highest-priced two-year-old ever sold at public auction in Europe when selling for 3,200,000 guineas and it is the first December Sale to have three fillies in training selling for 3 million guineas or more with the Group 2-winning sprinter BELIEVING completing the trio.
“In addition to the individual highlights the statistics paint an impressive picture. December Mares' Sale turnover rose more than 20 per cent year on year to a new record high well over 80 million guineas, average and median both posted wide-margin record highs and the combined December Yearlings, Foal and Mares turnover increased by more than 30 per cent.
"Gains of this magnitude have all contributed to a record Tattersalls annual turnover up more than 20 per cent from last year’s total, but. more importantly. they have given a massive boost to the British and Irish breeding industries.
"While we cannot and should not pretend that all in the garden of British racing is rosy, we should nevertheless be proud that our sport and the wider British and Irish breeding industries continue to be held in the very highest esteem internationally and never has this been more apparent than during the 2024 Tattersalls sale season and throughout this December Sale.
“The overseas contribution has been immense. The best of British, Irish and European bloodstock has yet again enticed international visitors to the December Mares' Sale in huge numbers with buyers prioritising the sale above all others. Not for the first time at Tattersalls this year the American participation has been particularly notable.
"There is a real appetite amongst leading American owners for high-class European Turf performers and that has played a significant part in the success of this week’s sale alongside demand from Australian, Chinese and Japanese buyers at the top of the market. Buyers from more than 30 countries and every continent have played an equally important role in creating a truly vibrant market, but above all it should be recognised that the British and Irish breeders, buoyed no doubt by the catalyst of the October Yearling Sale, have been the backbone of this extraordinary market.
“We are enormously grateful to each and every person who has contributed not only to the success of the 2024 Tattersalls December Sale, but also to a Tattersalls sales season like no other. A year like this is the collective achievement of a fantastic industry and the unwavering support of vendors and purchasers alike from throughout Britain, Ireland and further afield defines Tattersalls and ensures that we continue to explore every possible avenue to preserve the proud status of Tattersalls as Europe’s leading bloodstock auctioneers." (14:00)
Day 4
Day 4 statistics: +/- compared to last year
Catalogued: 126 (194)
Offered: 85 (137)
Sold: 59 (69)
Turnover: 325,200gns (-21%)**
Median: 3,500gns (+17%)**
Average: 5,512gns (-8%)**
% Sold: 69% (50%) (12:49)
Lot 2168: "That was more than I wanted to pay for her, but if you have Ed Harper on the other leg he is always going to push," said Michael Swinburn after spending 34,000gns on Crown's Lady, Annie O'Rourke having worked with Swinburn with purchase plans and whose name is on the docket.
"She is a nice frame of a mare, she is by a good broodmare sire in Showcasing and she has a page. We have no plans as yet, we will have to sit down and discuss. I had better go now before I do any more damage!"
Crown's Lady is out of the Listed winner and Group 3-placed Sell Out, a half-sister to the Fred Darling Stakes (G3) winner Sueboog, the dam of Best Of The Bests (12:12)
Lot 2155 Never Miss is off to Turkey, the Shamardal mare bought by Isik Kader Kalkavan and her husband Metin Kalkavan for their new stud farm MK Stud.
Daughter Irem, in charge of communications, said: "Dad has always been interested in racing, but it was in covid we bought the farm – it came with horses, dogs, chickens and goats! We are stocking the farm now, this is our seventh purchase this week, and this is our first visit to Tattersalls, we have been very well looked after. We signed for this purchase in mum's name - we are at a mares' sale and it is a mum for a mum!"
The family is in Newmarket with Gençay Dilek Emirsoy, who stands Torok in Turkey.
Never Miss is in-foal to Mohaather and is a daughter of Pictavia (Sinndar), winner of the Select Stakes (G3), and a grand-daughter of Insijaam, a two-time Listed winner in France.
The team also purchased Lot 2155 – Social Media (New Approach), the dam of one winner and in-foal to Aclaim. (11:57)
Lot 2106: the three-time winner and the Listed-placed Clotilde, a 2012 mare by Dubawi and out of the Listed winner Mary Boleyn (King's Best), is sold by Chasemore Farm to Matthew Camacho for 10,000gns.
She is dam of Zero Carbon (Acclamation), the winner of seven races and BHA rated 89 – he has been rated over 80 since 2022 and over 26 career starts. (11:22)
Lot 2095: Beshayer, by Galileo and out of Premiere Creation (Green Tune), is bought by Hyde Park Stud for 13,000gns.
Sold by Barton Sales, she is an own-sister to Leo's Sister, a Group 3 winner of the Prix Cleopatre, and a half-sister to Anabaa's Creation, winner of the Hirsch Stakes (G1) and third in the Prix Saint-Alary (G1).
She is also a half-sister to Starlet's Sister, dam of Sistercharlie, winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1), the European champion three-year-old colt Sottsass, the Group 3 winner My Sister Nat, and Shin Emperor. He is a Group 3 winner in Japan, and recently second-placed in the Japan Cup (G1).
Beshayer is the dam of two winners, including the 80-rated Plus Point, a four-year-old of this year, and she was sold in-foal to Ardad. (10:53)
Lot 2093: Divine Act, a nine-year-old mare by Frankel out of 1995's European champion filly Ramruma (Diesis), winner of the Oaks (G1), the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) and the Irish Oaks (G1), is bought by KGS for 20,000gns.
Divine Act is a half-sister to the Irish St Leger (G1) third-placed Flying Cross.
Both of her runners so far are winners, and she was sold in-foal to Soldier's Call on an April cover. (10:31)
Day 3
Day 3 statistics: +/- compared with last year
Catalogued: 282 (301)
Offered: 211 (242)
Sold: 182 (188)
Turnover: 4,563,000gns (+27%)
Median: 16,000gns (+14%)
Average: 25,071gns (+29%)
% Sold: 85% (79%)
Top lot: Lot 1753: You Got To Me (GB) 2021 B.F. >> Newsells Park Stud Ltd. >> Amo Racing >> 4,800,000gns
Leading consignors (by agg, cumulative): 1. The Castlebridge Consignment, 2, Newsells Park Stud, 3. Juddmonte
Leading purchasers (by agg, cumulative): 1. Amo Racing, 2. Resolute Bloodstock, 3. MV Magnier
Leading sires (by agg, cumulative): 1. Mehmas, 2. Nathaniel, 3. Frankel
Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Mehmas, 2. Nathaniel, 3. Zarak
Top five lots today
Lot 1975: Bridestones (IRE) 2020 B.F. BY Teofilo (IRE) EX White Moonstone (USA) >> Godolphin >> A C Elliott, Agent >> 280,000gns
Lot 1850: Ellaria Sand (GB) 2022 B.F. BY Sands of Mali (FR) EX Ellaria (IRE) >> The Castlebridge Consignment >> Hurworth Bloodstock >> 200,000gns
Lot 1910: Miss Marjurie (IRE) 2010 B.M. BY Marju (IRE) EX Kazatzka (GB) >> Baroda Stud, Ireland >> Barry Lynch For Ballylinch 140,000gns
Lot 1966: Bauhinia (IRE) 2021 B.F. BY Too Darn Hot (GB) EX Desert Blossom (IRE) >> Godolphin >> Stroud Coleman Bloodstock 140,000gns
Lot 1861:Instinction (GB) 2019 B.M. BY Brazen Beau (AUS) EX Spontaneity (IRE) >> Houghton Bloodstock >> A C Elliott, Agent 120,000gns (18:35)
With one session left of this year's Tattersalls December Mares Sale we are already into record turnover territory for the 2024 December Mare Sale.
The aggregate for this year's sale has already topped 82,000,000gns, the sale's previous best being the 80,831,200gns achieved in 2022, the first year of the Sceptre Sessions. (18:15)
Lot 2047: the four-year-old Kitai, a No Nay Never filly, sold by Baroda Stud, the winner of four races and rated 92 for trainer Mick Appleby, is an eighth purchase at the December Mares Sale 2024 by agent Alex Elliott (in his own name)
She cost 68,000gns and took his total spend over the three days to date to 1,448,000gns. (18:04)
Lot 2021: The Royal Studs-offered Al Nayeba (Siyouni) ex Changing Skies (Sadler's Wells) is added to the Blandford Bloodstock purchases for 50,000gns.
Changing Skies (Sadler's Wells) boasts five race wins by her name, twice in Grade 3s in the US, and she also finished second in the Flower Invitational Stakes (G1) at Belmont, but it is her pedigree which is really from the top drawer – she is an own-sister to the champion juvenile Playful Act and the Yorkshire Cup (G2) winner Percussionist, and is a half-sister to the dual champion three-year-old Nathaniel and the champion three-year-old filly Giant Heavens.
Al Nayeba, who was bred by Al Shaqab, had a colt by Wooded in 2023 and is in-foal to Churchill on March cover. (17:49)
Lot 2002: the High Chaparral mare and Listed winner Lady Heidi makes 65,000gns. She is bought by Tweenhills and is dam of two winners, the four-time winner Look Closely (Sea The Stars, BHA rated 99) and the one-time winner River Eden (Invincible Spirit, BHA rated 95). Her 2020 foal Gold Aura has been placed 16 times from 23 career starts.
Lady Heidi is a half-sister to Thewayiam, a Grade 3 winner in the US and runner-up in the Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1).
Second dam, the Solario Stakes (G3) winner Shining Water was dam of Tenby, winner of the Grand Criterium (G1). (16:37)
Lot 1975: Bridestones, from the Godolphin draft, makes 280,000gns and is bought by Alex Elliott buying on behalf of Anthony Ramsden of Valmont.
"She is by Teofilo, out of the Dynaformer mare, which I like," outlined Elliott. "I like that she is a two-year-old winner, and has black-type, too, and she is for Valmont."
He continued: "We will try to breed her to Lope De Vega, who works very well with Teofilo mares. I think she will suit him well, but Teofilo is a good broodmare sire with numerous crosses, so there are lots of options.
Of the possibility of covering Bridestones with the Ballylinch Stud-based sire, with whom Valmont has enjoyed such a lot of success, he smiled: "We are very fond of Lope De Vega!"
"We were all out to buy her, but we are spending back some of the money collected last night and Anthony is taking a long term view, it is great when you have got people who want to play at all aspects of the game. This mare is going to Whatton Manor Stud."
Until last night Valmont was part-owner in the Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me (Lot 1753), the daughter of Nathaniel sold for a sales-topping 4,800,000gns to fellow Elliott client Amo Racing.
Elliott added: "I am in the very amazing position of with two emerging powers with Anthony doing what he does, and he plays in a different way to Kia. I am just very lucky to be caught up in the middle." (16:03)
Lot 1966: Bauhinia, who finished fifth in the Listed Prix Finlande last time out, was sold by Godolphin to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for 140,000gns
By Too Darn Hot, the three-year-old filly is out of the Group 2 placed Desert Blossom (Shamardal), the dam of the Listed Valiant Stakes winner Duneflower. She has a 2023 colt by Dark Angel and a 2024 filly by No Nay Never still to come.
"She is for a group of friends," said Stroud. "We might put her back in training, we need to have a chat about the plans." (15:35)
Lot 1910: the Group 3-winning mare Miss Marjurie (Marju), who is from the family of the dual champion older mare Soviet Song, is bought by Barry Lynch for 140,000gns. He signed the docket as Barry Lynch for Ballylinch.
She was sold by Baroda Stud and is carrying to the Darley sire Triple Time. She has produced two winners, including Duke Of Oxford, who also finished fourth in the Chester Vase (G3). Smoke, her two-year-old by Too Darn Hot, won the Listed Montrose at Newmarket.
She had a colt by Time Test in 2023 and a filly by Ghaiyyath this spring.
Lynch said after purchase: "Marju mares are very hard to come by, she is in-foal to an interesting stallion, and she is a horse who can be mated very easily. It is quite exciting, we are delighted and she is for Ballylinch Stud, and could be one for Look De Vega."
In the breeding shed, Soviet Song produced Marlinka, dam of the champion sprinter Marsha and the dual Group 3 winner Judicial, and she is also ancestress of the Group 2 winner Tiffany and the Irish champion older mare Ribbons. (13:43)
Lot 1861: Alex Elliott is buying in a different bracket today – the agent spending 120,000gns on Instinction (Brazen Beau) sold by Houghton Bloodstock as part of a dispersal.
"She made a lot sense, it is that old Lordship Stud family, it is a very fast family," said Elliott. "She is a half-sister to Eddies Boy, she was rated in the 80s, she is in-foal to Sergei, and they sell well, she is good mover and she is the one I wanted. She is perfect for Havana Grey and, if we can take a good-looking Sergei out of her, that will go a good way to paying us back for today. She is for myself and a few others."
The mare's half-brother Eddies Boy, is a Group 3 winner of the Prix Eclipse by Havana Grey, and they are from the family of Swiss Spirit. (12:19)
Lot 1850: the two-year-old Ellaria Sand, winner of October's Radley Stakes (L) at Newbury and Timeform rated 100, is bought for 200,000gns by Hurworth Bloodstock from The Castlebridge Consignment.
She is a daughter of Sands Of Mali (Panis) and is a half-sister to a two-year-old winner, and they are the only two runners so far out of the mare 11-year-old mare Ellaria (Exceed And Excel).
Third dam Zahrat Dubai was a winner of the Nassau Stakes (G3) and finished third in the Oaks (G1).
Matt Coleman, who advises the Cool Silk Partnership, who bred and raced the filly, said: "The Cool Silk team is delighted to get 200,000gns for Ellaria Sand. When Sands Of Mali was going to stud, I bought her dam Ellaria to join a band of broodmares to support the stallion.
"Ellaria Sands was born and reared at Culworth Grounds and went into training and, fair dues to Peter, Karin and Chris Swann of Cool Silk, they back their own homebreds and put them all in training, it is great to see them get such a great price for her.
"Ellaria Sands has had a good year and topped it off with a brilliant performance at Newbury in the Listed Radley Stakes, which was a timely update before the sale today. I believe she has been bought by a team of Sam Haggas' clients to go back to Ollie Sangster – it is great for Ollie to have her back in the yard.
"It is a big feather in the cap of the Cool Silk team for a homebred to have won a Listed race, and then sell her for 200,000gns. They raced the stallion and bred this filly so it is a great achievement, hopefully she will go on – Cool Silk has still got the mare and has a full-sister to race." (11:28)
Lot 1843: Cabrini (Charm Spirit), who is out of Under The Rainbow (Fantastic Light), a Listed winner and runner-up in the Lancashire Oaks (G2), is bought byFive Stars / Gaurav Rampal for 38,000gns.
She was sold by Barton Sales, is in-foal to Gleneagles having had a colt by the same sire this spring and a colt by Havana Grey in 2023.
She is a sibling to five winners, including Luncies, a Group 3 winner and a multiple Group race performer in Australia. (11:15)
Lot 1817: Blue Geranium, by Dansili and out of Super Sleuth, is sold by Folland-Bowen Bloodstock to Diamond Bloodstock for 27,000gns.
The 11-year-old mare, a daughter of the Classic-placed Super Sleuth (Selkirk) is the dam of two multiple winners and had a filly foal by A'Ali in 2023, who made £32,000 as a yearling, and a filly by Churchill this year, a full-sister to the 2019-born Lawful Command, who achieved a best BHA rating of 91.
Blue Geranium is in-foal to Shaquille on a May 6th cover. (10:41)
After a record-breaking Day 2, which produced the highest day's turnover in European auction history, and the third-highest price ever at the December Mares Sale, selling for Day 3's session starts at 9.30am (09:19)
Day 2
Day 2 statistics: +/- compared with last year
Catalogued: 289 (274)
Offered: 235 (221)
Sold: 220 (198)
Turnover: 55,168,500gns (+14%)**
Median: 120,000gns (+30%)
Average: 275,843gns (+8%)
% Sold: 85% (79%)
Top lot: Lot 1753: You Got To Me (GB) 2021 B.F. >> Newsells Park Stud Ltd. >> Amo Racing >> 4,800,000gns
Leading purchasers (by agg, cumulative): 1. Amo Racing, 2. Resolute Bloodstock, 3. MV Magnier
Leading sires (by agg, cumulative): 1. Mehmas, 2. Nathaniel, 3. Frankel
Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Mehmas, 2. Nathaniel, 3. Zarak
Top five lots
Lot 1753: You Got To Me (GB) 2021 B.F. >> Newsells Park Stud Ltd. >> Amo Racing >> 4,800,000gns
Lot 1770A: Vertical Blue (IRE) 2022 B.F. >> Graffard Racing, France >> Resolute Bloodstock 3,200,000gns
Lot 1740: Believing (IRE) 2020 B.F. >> Highclere Stud >> M V Magnier >> 3,000,000gns
Lot 1750: River of Stars (IRE) 2019 B.M. >> Kimpton Down Stables (R. Beckett) >> Oakley Creek 1,650,000gns
Lot 1770B: The Palace Girl (GER) 2022 B.F. >> Slievebrook House (K. Coleman) >> D, Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC >> 1,550,000gns
** highest grossing day in European auction history (21:53)
Lot 1770B: The Palace Girl sells for 1,550,000gns, bought by D, Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC. She was sold by Kevin Coleman's Slievebrook House.
“Look, it’s only money,” said Coleman. “It still doesn’t beat the buzz of winning a class five maiden at Southwell! It’s different. We were offered a lot of money privately, not that much, but I turned down a lot. I thought she was worth more, but did I think she was going to make this? No. It was on me coming here but I just knew that when people saw the physical, it was going to happen.
“She’s beautiful. She had to be to make that. The pedigree update, what she’s done herself, the company she was in that day, and what she’s done here this week. She’s a very nice filly and everyone’s going to be delighted.
“It means we can pay for the yearlings we bought this year! It’s all back in again. We have about 35 in and we’re maxed out at this. We haven’t had anything like this one and we knew that long ago. I just hope to God she goes on and does what we think she can do."
Owner Sean Grassick: “She was just a lovely filly, she had a great presence. The pedigree was quite light at the time but she was lovely, a very good mover. It’s been a nice journey to be on and we’ve enjoyed riding it out with Tamfana as well. We think a lot of her and all I can say is that we hope she’s very lucky for her new owners and thanks to the underbidders as well. I’m sure she’ll be a superstar.” (21:00)
Lot 1770A: wildcard entry Vertical Blue (Mehmas), winner of this October's Prix Marcel Boussac (G1), is bought online by John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock for 3,200,000gns, Graham Smith-Bernel the resigned underbidder. The two-year-old by Mehmas was sold by trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and was bought as a €50,000 yearling, bred and sold by Haras du Mont Dit Mont.
John Stewart, speaking on the phone from the US, said: "Vertical Blue was my number one pick, and I had targeted her. I know a lot about the filly as she is trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and he trains Goliath for me. She will be going back to France to be trained by him.
"I thought she would make that sort of money, premium horses generate that sort of price and there is a small group of people buying them."
Of his other purchases made in this second Sceptre Session, he said: "The others will be coming to the US and will be staying in training. I want to dominate the Turf racing at Keeneland, I want to do an Aidan O'Brien there, and around 80 per cent of my horses are Turf horses. The Keeneland track there is quite an anomaly in the US – most of the tracks are firm, but the Turf at Keeneland is on the soft. The horses I have bought will act on a soft track."
Of the process of buying online from the US, he said: "I have been very busy with work – the horses are something for the spare time – and was unable to attend in person, which I prefer to do. The Tattersalls staff have been very helpful, as well as my general manager Gavin O'Connor and Francis-Henri Graffard, who has looked at the horses for me."
He concluded: "I am looking forward to coming to Europe next year."
Graffard, who sold Vertical Blue, said: "It has been a very interesting experience for me bringing a filly like this to the ring, preparing her for the sale, going through the bidding, but I am delighted with the result. The vendors are delighted and the new owner is very happy, too."
He added: "There is so much more to come from her, I am very pleased for the team at home as it is very difficult to see horses go, but she is coming back so that is very exciting." (20:17)
Lot 1758: Will Walder talking after the purchase of Oujda for 750,000gns.
"We don't know what the plan is yet for her, obviously we will get her back to he states and see how she acclimates. She is a big filly, she has lot of muscle and power, she has got a lot of Dirt in her pedigree, we will see how she goes over the Dirt but we won't be afraid to try it.
"She has is super accomplished on the Turf and that is probably where we will end up, she is an interesting filly we will mix and match things back home and see what we want to do long term.
"It is a combination of all, she has speed, which in American racing we value and she has plenty of it. We just want to get her home, give a bit of a break and let her tell us what she wants to do."
Of long term plans he said: "Bred, and resale or resale as broodmare, racing prospects however Mr Sykes decides he wants to do it, but these fillies we bought over here and last year will probably be up for auction in one or two years.
"I am just blessed to have an owner behind me who us willing to take big swings, we were unlucky to not get all the ones we wanted, we got one. There is a lot of good stock this year."
"You got to bring a big stick, a couple of ours weren't big enough but we got it done with Oujda." (20:15)

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