Adam Kirby Lands Four Yearlings At Lowkey End To Tattersalls Book 3

[Wandering Eyes]

TATTERSALLS, ENGLAND – A world away from Book 1 and 2 of the October Yearling Sale, Adam Kirby stocked up on four yearlings on the final day of Book 3, where the Derby-winning jockey admitted that his 'heart went out' to the people who produced the lion's share of the horses that went through the ring on Friday. 

The top price generated on Friday was a 44,000gns Palace Pier filly that was consigned by Oakgrove Stud and sold to Spanish interests Outsider Bloodstock. Two more horses managed to make 40,000gns on a day when the total turnover climbed by 11% to 1,837,100gns. The median was up by 6% to just 8,500gns while the average climbed 14% to 11,776gns. The clearance rate was the exact same as last year at 72%.

With four yearlings bought for a combined 33,000gns, Kirby was one of the busier buyers on the ground on Friday, but he wasn't celebrating. In fact, he drew empathy to many of the breeders and consignors who lost money despite the sale being strong compared to previous years. 

He commented, “I'm well aware that it's Book 3 but, as far as I am concerned, I feel I have bought some well-priced and nice horses. I wouldn't have liked to have bred them and produced them for the money that I have paid for them. But I am very pleased to have got my hands on a few yearlings. A couple of them look to be quite sharp. We're excited – roll on next season and away we'll go.”

He added, “It hasn't been easy for them [the consignors who sold horses on Friday] and my heart does go out to them. Obviously, there were some amazing prices at Book 1 and 2, but I am not going to stand here and say that I can afford them because I can't. Like I said, I am very pleased with the prices I have paid but I feel sorry for the people who have produced them – it's barely the price of the stallion nomination in many cases.”

A gifted rider, Kirby's greatest day in the saddle came when he partnered Adayar to win the Derby 2021. Since his retirement, he has earned a reputation as being one of the most talented pre-trainers in Britain, but the competitive bone in his body has driven him to take his trainers' licence out. 

“Listen, we'll only train a select few horses from a small yard. All of the pre-training will be staying exactly how it is. We will not be sacrificing that side of the business whatsoever. We're simply buying a few to race to keep our eye in and for a day out. When you sit at home all the time, it gets a bit boring! We'll scratch that itch now and we'll see how we go. I'm not an outwardly confident person but this is something that I am pleased that I have decided to pursue.”

Kirby added, “When you're buying a yearling, you're buying a dream. They're not exposed and they're not ruined. So, the dream is alive until you find out it isn't. That's the beauty of buying yearlings.”

As for Book 3 on the whole, the turnover was up by 17% to 9,517,600gns, the median by 27% to 19,000gns and the average by 19% to 23,676gns. The clearance rate dropped by 2% to 79%.

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented, “The three Books of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales represent arguably the most important fortnight in the European bloodstock calendar as the thoroughbred world descends on Newmarket, the hub of European horse racing. Over the last two weeks we have seen turnover surpass 200 million guineas for the third time in four years, the two highest priced yearlings sold anywhere in the world this year, 16 lots selling for 1 million guineas or more and sustained demand for quality yearlings from all corners of the globe.

“The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale consistently attracts the largest share of the best European yearlings to come to market each year, and Books 1 and 2 have seen a remarkable 189 yearlings realise 300,000 guineas or more, 77% of the yearlings to realise that figure at public auction in Europe this year. Tribute must be paid to the breeders and consignors from Britain, Ireland and further afield who entrust their best yearlings to Tattersalls, safe in the knowledge that the global racecourse success of those yearlings continues to attract the world's leading buyers year after year.”

He added, “We have welcomed large numbers of international visitors to Newmarket throughout Books 1 to 3 with significant numbers of American purchasers joined by buyers from throughout the Gulf region including Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. They have been joined by purchasers from Australia, China, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan and Spain alongside a strong domestic buying bench. Those buyers include many principals, whose continued support is such a feature of sales at Tattersalls, attracted by the numerous racecourse successes of graduates including recent Group 1 winners Gewan, Ombudsman, Venetian Sun, Wise Approach and 35,000 gns purchase Zavateri.

“The demand for quality yearlings, especially from overseas buyers, reflects the esteem in which British and Irish thoroughbreds are held globally. However, this success is under continual threat by headwinds including the spectre of increased betting taxes which could cost the industry millions, the fragility of the rural economy due to increased costs and taxes, and the failure of governments to recognise the value of an industry that can legitimately be regarded as a world leader. These challenges undermine a true British success story and threaten livelihoods.”

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