The world's highest price for a yearling in 2017 was set on the opening day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when a DUBAWI colt realised 2,600,000 guineas.
He was one of four lots to realise in excess of a million guineas during the opening session that also featured the start of the Ballymacoll dispersal. The opening day's trade saw a total of 119 lots realise 33,880,000 guineas, at an average of 284,706 guineas and a median of 200,000 guineas. Turnover was up 8% compared with the opening session last year, whilst the average and median rose 24% and 38% respectively.
The fireworks started early on the opening day of October Book 1 when lot 13, the DUBAWI colt out of the dual Group 1 winning filly IZZI TOP, sold for 2,600,000 guineas – the highest price for a yearling anywhere in the world this year.
The Meon Valley-consigned colt was knocked down to Newmarket-based trainer Roger Varian after a prolonged bidding duel with the Godolphin trio of John Gosden, Anthony Stroud and David Loder who were all stood together.
"He has been bought for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, owner of Dubawi and a keen supporter of the sire's stock," said Varian. "There are some very nice Dubawis here and this horse is very nice, a strong horse and a stand-out so early in the sale. He looks as though he will carry a bit of speed."
Of this week, Varian said: "It is a terrific catalogue with some wonderful horses."
The sale represented another stellar sale for Meon Valley Stud's Mark Weinfeld who also sold the DUBAWI colt out of ZEE ZEE TOP for 2,600,000 guineas at last year's sale. That colt named EMARAATY is in training with John Gosden for Sheikh Hamdan and is set to run in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes after impressing in his maiden win last time out.
The million guinea barrier was broken for the second time when lot 139, the GALILEO sister to Group 1 winner GARSWOOD, was knocked down to agent Peter Doyle for 1,600,000 guineas. Consigned by 'Flash' Conroy's Glenvale Stud, the daughter of the KYLLACHY mare PENCHANT was secured by Doyle despite a determined effort from agent Hubie de Burgh. Doyle, who was stood alongside Mayfair Speculators' Derek Brugman and John Koster secured the filly on behalf of a partnership between Markus Jooste's Mayfair Speculators and MV Magnier.
"She is a strong filly," said Doyle. "We've missed on a few earlier today, but she more than makes up for it - she is gorgeous. She goes into training with Aidan O'Brien."
The third horse to top a million guineas on the opening day was the FRANKEL three-parts sister to the Group 1 Oaks winner TALENT who was knocked down to SackvilleDonald's Alastair Donald for 2,500,000 guineas. The underbidder in the epic head-to-head duel was Yohann Gainche representing Japanese owners D.M.M.com who purchased the DEEP IMPACT sister to GENTILDONNA for approximately $3.2m earlier this year.
The filly was consigned to the sale by agent John Troy on behalf of breeder Mark Dixon who was understandably elated.
"I don't know what to say," smiled Dixon.
"This has doubled what I was expecting and it was fantastic. We usually just sell the colts, but sometimes you need to bring some funds in - sending Prowess to Frankel was a fairly obvious choice."
The winning bidder Alastair Donald commented;
"She is for a client who wishes to remain private. She is lovely, the pedigree speaks for itself and she has been bought as a long term broodmare prospect."
The first yearlings to be offered as part of the Ballymacoll dispersal were the last lots to go through the ring for the day and headlining them was the KINGMAN daughter of the young GALILEO mare JUSTLOOKDONTOUCH who was purchased by Moyglare Stud's Fiona Craig for 1,700,000 guineas. The half-sister to the Group 2-placed ABINGDON comes from one of the great Ballymacoll families with her dam a daughter of the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner HELLENIC and a half-sister to the Champion filly ISLINGTON and the Group 1 winners GREEK DANCE and MOUNTAIN HIGH.
Craig saw off the efforts of Shadwell Estates' Sheikh Hamdan and Angus Gold as well as Alastair Donald. Following her purchase she commented;
"We've paid more than we intended! I had planned on having one bid, but had to go again. We are delighted, this is a long-term plan that will take us through to the next two or three decades.
"Eva Maria [Bucher Haefner] is working, but she was on the phone throughout. She wants us to buy pedigrees, and this was a priceless chance - one of those opportunities that do not come around again.
"The filly will race, but she will come back as a broodmare and will be mated with the best stallions - we have an idea of the first!"
The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 continues at 11am on Wednesday, October 4th.
Tattersalls Release
