A busy start to the yearling sales season at the Goffs Premier sale with over 400 lots for sale on 23/24 August. The market was extremely tough, with 23 horses fetching a 6-figure sum. Despite a wholehearted effort to secure a gorgeous athletic US NAVY FLAG on day 2 of the sale, we ended up just short, having gone to £35,000. We also underbid a Holy Roman Emperor colt at £24,000, who looked like he'd make into a smart back end two-year-old over 7/8f.
Thankfully, we did manage to secure this strong fluent walking Profitable on day 1 from Ballincurrig House Stud (pictured). He was great value at the price given the strength in the market this year. An eagle eyed owner saw my tweet after I'd secured him, and snapped him up. We wish our new owner all the best for next season.
The only other horse we dug deep to try and get, was a horse I affectionately nicknamed 'Stuart Little' due to his size! He would probably only have been 15.0 or 15.1 hands high next year but he had a lovely nature and a great step on him. He was foaled in April and by Le Brivido who we figured may be missed by agents and end users due to his size/unfashionable sire. However we were soon on the back foot once bidding started, and he eventually went to Martyn Meade for £50,000.
Next stop was the Sommerville Yearling sale at Tattersalls Newmarket. I managed to get to see all 296 lots over an exhausting two days viewing with Kings Bloodstock, and we ended up with a short list of 42. This whittled down to 30 after second viewings but once again the strong market put paid to some best laid plans! Three of the first four lots into the ring made our list but made 42k, 55k and 35k guineas respectively. The morning carried on in similar fashion, but our perseverance paid off when we secured Lot 69, a lovely Inns Of Court colt (pictured). He was a little up behind but perfectly acceptable given the 20th April foaling date, and I found his walk, attitude and athleticism were all to my liking. Our 19,000 Guineas (£19,950) bid was enough to secure him. Shares in him have sold out very quickly to shrewd existing owners, and hopefully we will get him going early to repay their faith!
I was keen to get another but despite bids on Cotai Glory, Adaay, Outstrip, Calyx, Havana Grey, Footstepsinthesand, Zoffany, Dandy Man and Sioux Nation yearlings in the afternoon and late evening, we were again left short in the ring. Given the 50% rise on last years sale prices, this was understandable if a little frustrating.
With Tatts Ireland, Goffs Orby, Sportsman, Arqana and Tattersalls books 1/2/3/4 all coming up, hopefully we can secure a few more! Please get in touch if you'd like to be added to list who can be contacted prior to advertising them on the website/social media, as both above colts sold out very quickly.
I have just advertised a lovely 2 year old filly I picked up cheap from Tattersalls August Sale, I envisage a productive winter for her and she will hopefully gain her shareholders a quick return. Shares are going quickly in her, so don't hang around if you are interested click here
Gemma Tutty