Record Turnover on Third Day of Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
The third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale saw a record turnover for a session at this sale with 256 lots sold for 10,032,000 guineas. The major indicators were all up on the corresponding session last year with the average up 33% to 39,188 guineas and the median up 43% to 20,000 guineas. The top priced lot for the day and the sale was HAVANA COOLER at 425,000 guineas who was one of five lots to sell for 300,000 guineas or more. As was the case yesterday, the clearance was outstanding at 90%.
The Luca Cumani-trained HAVANA COOLER was the star attraction on the third day when knocked down to Anthony Stroud for 425,000 guineas after he saw off Charles Egerton, who has been buying for Australian trainer David Hayes, and Stephen Hillen who was involved in the early exchanges.
"We really wanted to get this horse, he has very much the right profile," said Stroud. "And, yes, he is for the Carnival, but he has more of a future than just that."
The price represented the highest at this sale since 2010 and represented a significant return for owner Leonidas Marinopoulos who purchased him at Tattersalls as a yearling for 30,000 guineas through agent Charlie Gordon-Watson. The progressive son of HURRICANE RUN was sold with a ‘Timeform’ rating of 113.
It was Luca Cumani’s Bedford House Stables who were responsible for the second highest price as well after the four-year-old VELOX was knocked down to Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman for 375,000 guineas on behalf of clients of Australian trainer David Hayes.
"We are delighted to have got him," said Boman after securing Cambridgeshire runner-up.
"He is a beautiful horse, a fantastic mover. He travels well through his races, goes on fast ground, and has a turn of foot - all key to success in Australia. He would be a stand-out in any parade ring in the world - let's hope its at Melbourne!
"He looks like a Group horse who has been running in handicaps - we knew we'd have to go a long way to secure him."
VELOX was owned and bred by Stuart Stuckey, who bought the dam VICTOIRE FINALE at the 2005 Tattersalls December Mare Sale for 40,000 guineas via agent Rachel Sanson. Her produce include VELOX’s full brother VALIDUS who realised 380,000 guineas in this ring last year and English and Irish Oaks-placed filly VOLUME who is to be offered at the forthcoming December Mare Sale.
Late in the evening Qatari owner Mohammed Alattiyah secured the Group placed MAGNOLIA BEACH for 350,000 guineas from fellow countrymen Qatar Racing. The three-year-old son of FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND was sold with a ‘Timeform’ rating of 109 and was consigned by agent Jamie Railton. The brother to the Grade 2 winner GRANDEUR was trained by Ger Lyons for owners Qatar Racing.
ALLEZ CLAIR, the winner of four races in France and fourth in a Listed event in Turkey was sold to Voute Sales’ Ted Voute for 330,000 guineas. The four-year-old son of PLEASANT TAP was one of typically outstanding Juddmonte Farms draft and is set to ship to Saudi Arabia and join the stable of Prince Faisal.
Saad Bin Mishraf, with Ted Voute, said: "We loved his pedigree, his form and his looks. He is for Prince Faisal, who has the leading stable in Saudi Arabia."
The draft from Juddmonte Farms realsied a total of 2,100,500 guineas for the 35 lots sold.
The Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale continues at 9.30am on Thursday, October 30 and will be followed 72 yearlings to be offered in Book 4 of the October Yearling Sale.