Trade Steps Up At Tattersalls February

[Wandering Eyes]

Newmarket, UK–Among the hats now worn by Ted Durcan is that of a bloodstock agent, and the former jockey entered the big league in his new vocation by picking up the top lot of the Tattersalls February Sale on Friday.

On what was a far busier second of two sessions, Durcan was required to step up to 105,000gns for Magic Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 316).

The 45-year-old, who only retired last year after a long career which included several British Classics, retains a close association with trainer Sir Michael Stoute. Durcan also rode for Godolphin for many years and was a seven-time champion in the UAE, which is how his nose pointed him to a gelding who was leaving Sheikh Mohammed’s operation.

Magic Illusion, a half-brother to Godolphin’s capable Meydan performer Gold Town (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), had been placed twice in three juvenile starts.

“He’s been bought for Satish Seemar and he’s going to race on in Dubai,” Durcan explained. “I rode for Satish many years ago so I know the sort of horse he’s looking for. He should have plenty of time to acclimatise and be a nice horse for next season.”

The Irishman’s riding exploits must have made him one of the best-connected people in the industry, and he also combined with Seemar for another ex-Godolphin Dubawi performer in Recordman (GB) (lot 379), picked up for 65,000gns. It meant that Durcan Bloodstock trailed only BBA Ireland as the sale’s top buyer.

He added of his new venture: “I’ll be back riding out for Sir Michael next week and this is just something I’m doing. I’ve always enjoyed going to the sales, I’ve had a few mares and fillies in my time, and I’m just looking out for horses like everyone else.”

There was plenty of interest in some of the more stamina-laden offerings from the Godolphin consignment. Glockenspiel (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) (lot 313) had some form on soft ground in France for Andre Fabre that hit the right note for Noel George, son of British National Hunt trainer Tom, as he reached 42,000gns.

“He ought to stay further than two miles and he’s a nice strong horse,” George said. “He should go hurdling next season.”

Friday Trade Helps Recovery

The record-breaking sale of Willie John (GB) (Dansili {GB}) for 1,900,000gns here 12 months ago had taken the overall figures to an historic best.

Rock-bottom trade for the varied offerings on Thursday was always likely to have affected the final totals for 2019 but the horses in training from Friday, some of which arrived in the ring from the cream of British-based owners and trainers, restored respectability.

Day two trade was much in line with last year, with the median only 3% down at 7,500 gns and a very strong clearance rate of 95%. Add another Willie John into the equation and the aggregate would have been very similar – 2,213,400gns compared with 4,044,500gns.

As the bar had been raised so far, the totals looked somewhat less positive when viewed in the round. The average had dropped 60% to 10,677gns from 26,880, and the median to 5,000gns from 7,000. The overall total, from 2% fewer lots, was down 61% from 8,037,150gns to 3,139,100gns.

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said: “Last year’s outstanding February catalogue produced an extraordinary set of results which completely rewrote the record books for Europe’s premier midwinter sale. This year’s returns reflect a significantly less distinguished catalogue further undermined by the withdrawal of so many of the better quality lots.

“Nevertheless, the all-important clearance rate has bettered last year’s record-breaking sale and the feature of the two days has been consistent demand from a large and diverse contingent of overseas buyers. Although the sale was short of highlights, the quality consignments from Godolphin, Juddmonte Farms and Shadwell were all as popular as ever and buyers from more than 20 different countries including Abu Dhabi, Australia, Cyprus, Dubai, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Qatar, the USA and Uzbekistan have all yet again demonstrated the uniquely international nature of sales at Tattersalls.”

Successful Mission For Schneider

Stall Salzburg racing manager Harald Schneider left with exactly what he came for after drawing up a list of two horses.

On Thursday he bought Open Sea (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) (lot 150) for 22,000gns and a day later stepped in for the most expensive from the Juddmonte consignment.

Runnymede (GB) (Dansili {GB}) (lot 362), a brother to the decorated Stipulate (GB), won a maiden for Henri Devin at Pornichet in France a few days ago and took the German all the way up to 75,000gns.

The sale’s second top lot is to join Munich-based Sarah Steinburg, who impressed the same owners last year by winning the likes of the G2 Premio Federico Tesio with the smart mare Night Music (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

“Sarah is one of the best young trainers in Germany and this was a horse I wanted,” Schneider said. “It will be easy to find races for him in France and Germany, from conditions races to handicaps. We’ll get him home and give him a break now.”

There was interest from even further afield a few lots later at 370 in the best of the draft from the William Haggas stable.

Originaire (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) was secured for 70,000gns by Jamie Lloyd of Meah-Lloyd Bloodstock, having made the frame in all five starts in the colours of the China Horse Club

“She’s been bought by a new client in partnership with my business partner David Meah,” Lloyd explained. “She definitely goes to California, but we’ll have to decide on a trainer. Half-sister Lola Beaux (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) was a minor success when transferred Stateside so the omens are good.”

Spence Goes To War

Day one’s top lot figure held for just over an hour on Friday until lot 280 knocked the 55,000gns set by All I Need (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) (lot 67) off the perch.

War No More (War Front) had the looks and athleticism to match her excellent pedigree, as a daughter of the 2013 G1 1000 Guineas S. third Moth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who had been an expensive yearling purchase for Al Shahania Stud at Keeneland.

The filly had been unplaced in three quick recent runs for Ed Walker and her new buyer, Mike Spence, who sealed the deal on his final bid of 60,000gns, is seeking a speedy return.

Spence, the son of prominent owner Alan, said: “It was all about the page. She’s going to go to Roger Varian, hopefully to win a race in the next month or so before we breed from her. She might go to [G1 King’s Stand S. winner] Profitable, who my dad used to own. We haven’t got any from him yet but have three or four broodmares who might go to him.”

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