August didn’t prove as busy as I had hoped – even managed a wet week’s family holiday with my father in Kerry, Ireland. I discussed the Arqana sale with my clients and decided not to go there for the first time in years. If you’re not buying to race in France for the French Premiums then the prices seem pretty high. It is a great busman’s holiday with a fabulous selection of restaurants, shops and other delights which I greatly missed but I was delighted not to have the subsequent credit card bill.
The Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale was dominated by Richard Hannon who was very tough to outbid on the sharp 2yo types in the £25-40,000 bracket. I ended-up with only two yearlings, one for Bryan Smart and one for Marcus Tregoning. Trade was strong for nice types and bodes well for the general yearling market ahead but tough for us buyers.
Bryan Smart’s 2yo filly Excelette seems a tough type, having won twice in July, she was second in the Listed St Hugh’s Stakes and a week later was third in the Listed Roses Stakes against the colts. Two year old colt Cavaleiro looked useful when breaking his duck for Marcus Tregoning. Broodmare purchase Give A Whistle looks to have a smart 2yo in Gerfalcon when taking the Listed Ripon Champion 2yo Trophy for Brian Meehan. Caldy Dancer’s 4yo Dance And Dance stepped-up from handicap company to take third in the Group 3 Sovereign Stakes and is off to try his luck in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile in Canada next month.
In September I plan on going to the following sales –
Doncaster St Leger Festival Yearling Sale (Tuesday 8th September)
– in 2010; 61 yearlings sold for a median of £8,000
Keeneland September Yearling Sale (Sunday 11th to Saturday 24th September)
in Kentucky, USA (in 2010; 3,059 yearlings sold for a median of $25,000)
Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale (Tuesday 20th & Wednesday 21st September)
at Fairyhouse, Ireland (in 2010; 426 yearlings sold for a median of €6,500)
Goffs Orby Yearling Sale (Tuesday 27th to Thursday 29th September)
at Kill, Ireland (in 2010; 467 yearlings sold for a median of €29,000)