Tattersalls Ireland passed the car park test the morning of Sept. 22 with honors. Spaces were at a premium as vehicles of varying sizes—parked with equally varied levels of competence—filled the rows closest to the entrance.
The whinnying of excited yearlings and the chatter of voices, a cacophony of languages that could have transported the listener to the chambers of the United Nations general assembly, filled the air around the ground. Another positive sign ahead of the three-day September Yearling Sale, which begins Sept. 23.
Is that the Royal Ascot effect?
Three group 1 winners at the royal meeting in June were sourced at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, namely Docklands , whose Queen Anne Stakes (G1) triumph was the second win at Royal Ascot for Harry Eustace and OTI Racing’s 5-year-old entire, Coronation Stakes (G1) winner Cercene , who sparked emotional celebrations for the Murphy family, and Time For Sandals , who brought up a remarkable group 1 double for Eustace and thrilled owners David and Lorrie Bevan by landing the Commonwealth Cup (G1).
Charles O’Neill, chief executive of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM), is adamant the effect is real, especially on the other side of the Atlantic.
“There definitely has been (a Royal Ascot effect),” he said. “This is the first year we’ve seen American buyers coming over for the sale in numbers; we’ve four or five on the ground, which is great.
“Irish horses are doing really well over there, so they’re starting to take notice of this sale, and that can only help. The Royal Ascot success can only be good for the sale; it’s definitely been a factor.”
It’s not only car parking spaces that are at a premium. The client relations team at Tattersalls Ireland, in tandem with ITM, has been scrambling to find accommodation for all those who have confirmed their attendance, and more than 500 beds have been booked locally as visitors from the Middle East and the United States add to the sizeable European contingent.
“People know that you can come here and buy racehorses who will win group 1s and classics all over the world, so the sale has a very strong appeal internationally,” O’Neill said.
“We’ve a strong contingent from Qatar this year, and there are a lot of Spanish, Italian, Polish, and Czech buyers here too. We’re very happy with the diversity of the buying bench assembled for this sale.”
Two years ago, Italian buyers contributed a seven-figure spend to the turnover of Part One of the sale and continued their support into Part Two. In 2024, they were active again, and at the upper echelons of the market too, with Razza Latina’s most expensive purchase being a €110,000 Invincible Spirit colt from the Irish National Stud.
Sustained success with the horses Italian trainers and agents have found at the September Yearling Sale from all points across the spectrum has encouraged sustained repeat business.
“The Italians love this sale and have done very well out of it over the years,” O’Neill said. “Folgaria, who was Italian champion 2-year-old filly in 2023, was bought here, and she went on to win the Fred Darling (G3) last season. Already from last year’s Italian purchases, there has been listed winner Queen Martina.”
On Sunday, Caballo De Mar gave George Scott successive winners of the German St Leger (G3), and the Phoenix Of Spain colt was bought by his trainer and Billy Jackson-Stops for €33,000 at the sale in 2022.
Classic winners dotted across the map of Europe serve only to enhance the attraction for buyers.
“Victorious Racing had the German St Leger winner on Sunday, bought out of this sale,” said O’Neill. “All that helps as people know you can come here and get good horses and good value. You’ll get winners and that’s what people want, the chance to buy winners.”
The sale begins at 10 a.m.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.bloodhorse.com ’
