Marconi Aids Strong Conclusion to Tattersalls February Sale

[Wandering Eyes]

NEWMARKET, UK — Alessandro Marconi continued his compilation of a team of horses to compete in Europe and the UAE, adding 12 lots from the final session of the Tattersalls February Sale to bring his overall haul across the two days to 29.

Three-year-old Baridi (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev) (lot 278), a winner last December for Stuart Williams, was sold through part-owner Robbie Mills's RMM Bloodstock for 100,000gns to top the list of Marconi's purchases for the day. Rated 74p by Timeform, the colt was bred by Moyns Park Stud.

“I couldn't afford them in the autumn,” said Marconi in reference to the yearlings by last year's leading first-season sire Sergei Prokofiev. “He was highly recommended by Stuart, who is a very good trainer. Hopefully he can train on again.”

Another on Marconi's list was the former George Boughey-trained Stage Winner (GB) (Zoustar {Ire}), who had won at Lingfield since the publication of the catalogue and was bought for 46,000gns from breeder Qatar Racing. A three-year-old brother to fellow winner Alpha Zulu (GB), he is out of the G3 Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes winner La Rioja (GB) (Helvellyn {GB}).

Marconi's participation has provided a major boost to the February Sale, with his total outlay of 833,500gns accounting for 21% of the sale's aggregate.

He said, “I do believe that this is the only sale that is able to give you an entry at an affordable level to every side of the industry.”

The Spanish Derby, formally known as the Premio Villapadierna, will be the aim for the Soldier Hollow (GB) gelding Wanderlust (ITY), who will leave Marco Botti's Newmarket stable to join Sandro Tsereteli at La Zarzuela racecourse in Madrid. Placed in all three of his starts, the half-brother to three black-type performers in Italy is from the further family of Group 1 winner Giavellotto (Ire) and will race in the colours of Sociedad Civil Cuadra Allegria.

“My client Arturo San Jose has a string of nice three-year-olds, but perhaps is missing a Derby horse,” said agent Rafael Rojano of Stamina Turf, who went to 62,000gns to secure Wanderlust, who, though gelded, is eligible for the Spanish Classic. “We had a good try yesterday on the Frankel colt from Juddmonte, but it is a strong market and it was too much for us.”

New enterprise Colbert Stud, which is based at Dullingham Ley just outside Newmarket, picked up a nice broodmare prospect in Sorbus (GB), a winning daughter of Night Of Thunder (Ire) who was sold on behalf of owner-breeder Rockliffe Stud by her trainer Ed Walker. The three-year-old daughter of the listed-placed Black Cherry (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}) may yet head back into training.

“She is fit and ready to go and could progress,” said stud owner Emma Colbert, a former sport horse breeder and dressage rider who is now branching out into Thoroughbreds. Currently the owner of eight mares she has plans to expand the band to 20.

“We want to be a boutique stud and have the highest quality we can. We will be breeding commercially and will race a few as well.”

Bringing a clearance rate of 85%, 219 of the 257 horses offered across the two days found a buyer at an average price of 18,034gns (+26%) and median of 11,000gns (+52%). The turnover of 3,949,500gns was up by more than a million gns on last year's sale, at which 19 fewer horses were sold.

Following a lively couple of days at Park Paddocks, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said in his closing address, “The Tattersalls February Sale is firmly established as Europe's premier midwinter sale and this year's renewal saw significant year-on-year increases in turnover, average and median as well as a clearance rate above 85%. These figures represent a positive start to 2025 after last year's record-breaking Tattersalls sales season and we have welcomed a typically diverse group of buyers, both domestic and from overseas, to Park Paddocks.

“Racecourse success is always a key driver of demand and the Tattersalls February Sale enjoyed a remarkable year in 2024 with Classic winners Los Angeles and Metropolitan and Group 1 winner Facteur Cheval all out of fillies purchased at past renewals of the sale. Their dams all came from large owner -breeder operations and so it was no surprise that the sale-leading consignment from Godolphin was as ever in great demand, with their draft of 36 fillies and horses in and out of training realising almost 1.4m guineas.

“The sale also featured the inaugural Retraining of Racehorses Showcase and the ever-popular Stallion Parade, and it was hugely enjoyable to have such a large crowd in the sale ring to see former stars of the turf looking so well in their second careers.

“We now look forward to the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale which has consistently produced Group 1 winners in recent renewals including Hotazhell, who looks an exciting Classic contender.”

The post Marconi Aids Strong Conclusion to Tattersalls February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article