Another Record Breaking Edition of the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale

The 2026 edition of the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale saw two yearlings surpass the sale’s previous record price when bringing 190,000 guineas and 185,000 guineas each. The average and median prices remained largely consistent with last year’s results.

Record-Breaking Blue Point Filly Goes the Way of Kerri Radcliffe

Ballyphilip Stud broke the sale record when selling its BLUE POINT filly to Kerri Radcliffe for 190,000 guineas. It was Radcliffe’s first visit to the sale and she commented; “I love the filly. The breeder, the pedigree, everything about her is just fabulous. I loved her when I first saw her, but I had to go back a second time just in case my eyes are deceiving me.”

Of the filly’s future plans, she explained; “She is for a syndicate of a few different owners, including Oliver Humphries, and will go to Richard Hannon.”

The filly is out of the PIVOTAL mare DUBAI SUNSET and is a half-sister to two black type performers including the unbeaten Listed winner NIENTE SCUSE, who recently provided Mike Repole with his first stakes win in Italy. 

Ballyphilip Stud’s Paul McCartan said; “I brought her here to stand out but she is a beautiful filly. I think the horse in Italy could be very good. BLUE POINT has had a top year and is a very lucky stallion for me.”

It was the agent’s first visit to the Somerville Yearling Sale despite being the co-owner of the talented Somerville graduate YOUR SONG. Radcliffe commented; “It worked out very well in the end and hopefully this filly does the same.”

Avenue Bloodstock Secures Manister House Stud’s Sioux Nation Filly 

Another record price for the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale was achieved as Mark McStay’s Avenue Bloodstock went to 185,000 guineas to secure a SIOUX NATION filly. The agent has built a strong affinity with the stallion’s progeny in recent years, and he continued the association with the purchase of Manister House Stud’s filly out of the Listed winning CLODOVIL mare SILBERPFEIL. 

McStay revealed; “She’s been purchased for a number of existing owners of Paddy Twomey’s, namely Steve Weston, Steve Rockwell and Patrick O’Brien.”

The ownership group already has a proven connection with SIOUX NATION fillies sourced from Manister House Stud, as Weston is a part-owner of the Group 1-placed VELOZEE.

There was strong competition for the filly, with the agent commenting; “Lots of different people got stuck in. That’s a good sign, but it pushed the price up. I had to ask my clients if we could go one more bid and just see if we could get her. They agreed and I’m very appreciative.”

Luke Barry explained the circumstances that led to him consigning the filly; “When I saw her at the sales as a foal, she was a little bit immature in ways that allowed me to get involved. The breeder has remained part of the project, too. I’m very grateful to Mark. She’s had a perfect upbringing on a wonderful farm in Stanley Lodge, then onto us.”

The filly will now travel to Ireland to get broken in with Conor Hoban, before being introduced to Paddy Twomey’s stable. SIOUX NATION is making a name for himself as a top-class sire of fillies and this was reinforced with SUN GODDESS’ victory in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes last month. The filly’s pedigree received a recent update as her half-brother by HAVANA GREY, VARZI, won second time out for Karl Burke three weeks ago and holds an entry in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes. 

Houghton Bloodstock’s Havana Grey Colt Brings 160,000 Guineas 

The colt was bred by Cheveley Park Stud and is out of the Listed winning mare EXCEPTIONAL. He was bought by George Boughey, taking instructions on the phone for Rabbah Bloodstock. Cheveley Park Stud’s Chris Richardson explained the decision to sell at this particular sale:

“We are thrilled, he is a smashing horse, correct with a great mind, walks really well, and he is from one of our foundation families. We brought him here in the hope that he would stand out. There was quite a bit of competition for the sale that he went to, but we decided that the Somerville Sale was the place for him. We are delighted that Houghton Bloodstock has had such a great result.”

Richardson added; “He is from a foundation family that keeps on giving. The team at home have done a great job with him and we are delighted that he is going to Rabbah.”

George Boughey and Rabbah Racing Strike again for Mehmas Colt

Tally-Ho Stud’s MEHMAS colt out of the unraced mare NAQRAH brought 150,000 guineas from George Boughey, bidding yet again on behalf of Rabbah Bloodstock. The colt is a half-brother to fellow Tally-Ho Stud graduate LADY PRANCEALOT, who won the Grade 1 American Oaks and two Grade 3s, as well as placing in a further two Grade 1s. Boughey explained:

“He is a nice colt and perfect for this sort of sale. He is forward and looks like he will be ready to rock on with early. Hopefully, he can emulate his half-sister who did so well on the track.”

The colt’s temperament and his resemblance to his sire were key factors in his purchase as Boughey elaborated; “He is pretty typical of the sire and behaved beautifully up here. We saw him a couple of times in the yard and we are delighted to get him.”

Of the purchase price, he added: “He was about where we wanted to be and probably at the top end of it. I’m lucky to get him.”

Harry Angel Filly Heads to the Breeze Up Sales via Tally-Ho Stud

The own sister to the Listed Marygate Stakes runner-up HARRY’S GIRL made 100,000 guineas when selling to Tally-Ho Stud’s Roger O’Callaghan as a breeze-up prospect.  The filly was bred by trainer Clive Cox and his wife Tina out of their BRAZEN BEAU mare AUTUMN MAGIC. The mare has been bred exclusively to European three-year-old Champion Sprinter HARRY ANGEL, who fittingly was trained by Cox. He said: 

“It is a very proud moment, and the result has backed up the 160,000 guineas we got for the own brother at last year’s October Book 2 Yearling Sale. She is a gorgeous filly, and Jenny Norris and her team have done a wonderful job. The mare boards there and she has been a very good producer.”

Consignor Jenny Norris added; “I foaled her and I’m just so thrilled for Clive and Tina as they’re such good clients. The filly’s been an absolute superstar. She’s had 140-odd shows over the past few days, but she just coped with it all so well. We were very realistic with the price, and I didn’t think she’d make that much.”

Norris enjoyed a good day of trade as she explained; “The sale has been really lucky for us. Clive has had a good day because we had our other HARRY ANGEL filly sell for 60,000 guineas. It’s been a good day.”

Managing Director’s Statement

At the conclusion of the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale, Managing Director Matthew Prior commented:

“The Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale took place for the first time in 2021 and, in its short history, has made significant progress, quickly establishing itself as a prolific source of top-class racehorses. These include the Group 1 winners Bradsell and Anisette, as well as this year’s Group 2 Railway Stakes winner, Celeron.

“The record price at the Somerville Yearling Sale was broken twice today, headlined by Ballyphilip Stud’s outstanding Blue Point filly, who realised 190,000 guineas whilst the average and median prices were broadly in line with last year’s results. However, it must be acknowledged that trading conditions, particularly in the lower echelons of the bloodstock market, remain challenging for some, while cost pressures continue to rise.

“This must also be viewed against the backdrop of the current Government’s approach to gambling, including increased taxation across the wider gambling sector and the impact of affordability checks, alongside a growing tax burden on businesses, agriculture and high-net-worth individuals. The prospect of further tax increases only adds to these pressures, undermining business confidence and sentiment and doing little to encourage continued investment in British horseracing and the bloodstock industry.

“Despite these headwinds, we now look forward to Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Europe’s premier yearling sale, and to welcoming an international cast of buyers to Park Paddocks for one of the highlights of the global bloodstock calendar.”