Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes set to be run for £317,105

A full field of 20 runners has been declared for the £200,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes at Newmarket’s July Course this Saturday. Now in its fifth year, the six-furlong contest has cemented its place within the racing calendar, offering graduates of the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale, and Books 3 and 4 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the opportunity to compete for valuable prize money. This year’s edition is set to be run for an impressive prize fund of £317,105, with the average sales price of the runners being 40,550 guineas.

The Somerville Auction Stakes has attracted a strong line-up and one of the leading contenders is NIGHT IN VEGAS, a dual winner who was Group 2 placed when running third in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. He also finished fifth in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton, who is represented by three horses in the race, explained:

“We couldn’t be happier with him. He’s come out of his Goodwood race really well. Obviously, it’s competitive, it’s for a lot of money, but we’re very hopeful that we’ll be in the first three.”

The LUCKY VEGA colt will run in the colours of the Kennet Valley Syndicate, who purchased him alongside Lillingston Bloodstock for 60,000 guineas from Mountarmstrong Stud at Book 3 of the the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. The syndicate’s manager Sam Hoskins elaborated:

“We’re really excited about Saturday. Sales races like this are really important to our syndicate and it’s a real sales angle when we buy the horse. This race is for Book 3 and 4 and the Somerville. We are from Book 3, and it really helps us sell the shares. It’s great money to go back in and buy more yearlings in due course.”

Richard Hannon saddles three horses in the race, led by A BEAR AFFAIR who was a 68,000 guineas purchase by Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock from Rathbarry Stud at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale. Hannon commented:

“I think the track will suit him, and he actually worked very well during the week. He ran extremely well at Ascot and was very unlucky at York not to win the Listed Dragon Stakes. It was a disappointing run since then in the Rose Bowl, but he’s had a good break.”

Rebel Racing have two runners in the race, including ZIGAZIG AH. The daughter of RAJASINGHE was a recent winner of the Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes and has already earned connections £147,330. Her trainer Richard Spencer explained:

“The Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes is another great incentive from Tattersalls. Sales races are generally what we aim our two-year-olds at throughout the season, as they provide excellent opportunities to win significant prize money with relatively inexpensive purchases. She’s in great form and goes into Saturday’s race with a live chance.”

Other trainers represented in the race include Jack Channon with two runners for two large syndicates, Highclere Racing and Middleham Park Racing, the latter of which also have SUPREME STAR running for them, trained by Marco Botti. Highclere’s runner TOPAZ is by first season sire PERSIAN FORCE, while another first season sire MINZAAL is represented by BALDETTI.

This year’s Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale will take place on Wednesday 2^nd September. Catalogues are now available online at www.tattersalls.com, as well as from Tattersalls and Tattersalls representatives.