French Artist Tops Final Day of Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale

The Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale concluded with turnover exceeding 30 million guineas for the sixth consecutive year. The depth and diversity of international demand was particularly noticeable, with buyers from more than 30 countries active throughout the week.

French Artist to Join Kris Lees Racing 

Sam Haggas of Hurworth Bloodstock went to 95,000 guineas to secure FRENCH ARTIST on behalf of Bahen Bloodstock / Kris Lees Racing. The two-year-old son of FARHH made his debut for Ollie Sangster just over a fortnight ago.

“He’s going to go to Australia to Kris Lees, who is based in Newcastle,” reported Haggas. “I thought this horse ran a very good race on debut, and he’s a bit of a blank canvas. He’s been bought and priced more on his potential than on what he’s actually achieved so far.”

“He has run over an extended mile, and I think he’ll stay further and will improve as he goes up in trip,” he continued. “He’ll get into Australia off a very good low level, so he can work his way up through the ranks and hopefully pay his way as he progresses.”

Haggas added: “He’s also a very late foal, born on May 28, and on profile, pedigree, and looking at him, I’m hopeful there’s still a lot of improvement left in him.”

Of his client and work he has done before with the team, Haggas outlined: “I’ve known Justin Bahen for a long time, and I’ve met Kris on a few trips to Australia. We’ve done a little bit of business in the past, so it’s great to get one for them, and I wish them all the best of luck.”

Thornthwaite Heads Across the Irish Sea to Stephen Thorne Racing 

Shamrock Thoroughbreds and Stephen Thorne Racing purchased THORNTHWAITE for 75,000 guineas. He was sold by The Castlebridge Consignment on behalf of previous trainer Hugo Palmer. The son of HAVANA GREY won on debut by an eye-catching three and a quarter lengths over a mile at Kempton Racecourse since the catalogue was published.

Bred by Whitsbury Manor Stud, THORNTHWAITE was given an impressive Timeform rating of 92p after his only run. The unexposed three-year-old hails from the family of Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner AIR EXPRESS. The Irish-based syndicate, Shamrock Thoroughbreds, has enjoyed plenty of success at this sale, having purchased the likes of Listed winners HARRY’S BAR and JAGGED EDGE.

Status Symbol Bound for Qatar

Qatari trainer Gassim Ghazali added the two-year-old STATUS SYMBOL to his string in Doha, going to 62,000 guineas to secure the son of SPACE BLUES. 

Sold by Ed Walker’s Kingsdown Stables, the colt is very unexposed having only raced twice over 1m and 1m 2f in September and October this season. He is out of a half-sister to DAWN APPROACH, winner of the Group 1 2000 Guineas, the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes, the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes and the Group 1 National Stakes.

STATUS SYMBOL is the fourth lot purchased at this sale by Gassim Ghazali, who is a regular attendee at Park Paddocks. He purchased AUGUST GEORGE at the sale last year for 375,000 guineas. The son of NIGHT OF THUNDER has since won a Group 2 Al Rayyan Mile Cup in Doha. 

Managing Director’s Statement

At the conclusion of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, Managing Director Matthew Prior said:

“The Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale has once again lived up to its reputation as the largest and most international sale of its kind in the world. Turnover has exceeded 30 million guineas for the sixth consecutive year, and with buyers from more than 30 countries competing throughout the week, the depth and diversity of international demand has been the defining feature of another strong renewal of this sale.

“One of the great strengths of this sale is the extraordinary variety of horses on offer, catering for buyers at every level of the market. Australian buyers have once again been particularly active, purchasing more than 20 lots and continuing to enjoy remarkable success with graduates of this sale. Since 2022, Autumn Horses in Training Sale graduates have won 212 Group and Listed races worldwide, underlining the quality of horses offered and the sale’s international reputation.

“It has also been encouraging to see continued demand from the Gulf region, despite wider geopolitical challenges, alongside strong participation from Britain, Ireland and across the countries of the EU. Whilst the international participation at this sale is a considerable success story, it comes against a very challenging domestic backdrop, with this week’s Budget adding to the pressures already facing small businesses. The increase in gambling duties added to the changes to Business Property Relief from the first Labour Budget pose a real threat to the continued success of the racing and bloodstock industry in this country.

“The sustained international demand throughout the week is a testament to the quality of horses presented by leading owners and trainers from across Europe, and the strength and depth of European racing. We are grateful to both vendors and purchasers for their continued support of this unique sale and look forward to welcoming buyers back to Park Paddocks for our forthcoming December Sales.”