Written by Brian Sheerin
Cover image courtesy of Tattersalls
The demand for high-end horses remained strong on Day 1 of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale as a Munnings (USA) colt (Lot 47), consigned by Longways Stables, led proceedings when selling to Oliver St Lawrence for 360,000gns (AU$697,000).
Bought by Ted Durcan and Mick and Sarah Murphy of Longways Stables for US$150,000 (AU$223,500) at the Keeneland September Sale, the Munnings colt turned a handsome profit and will join trainer Roger Varian.
Lot 47 - Munnings (USA) x Separate Forest (USA) (colt) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
“He’s a very taking horse and Roger and I were keen on him,” St Lawrence said.
“He looks like a horse who could go to Royal Ascot. We’ll see, we’ve had luck with Munnings before.
“He did a perfectly nice time and Mick seems to bring them along nicely.”
“He’s (Lot 47) a very taking horse and Roger (Varian) and I were keen on him. He looks like a horse who could go to Royal Ascot.” - Oliver St Lawrence
Varian was keen to compliment the job Mick and Sarah Murphy, no strangers to topping major breeze-up sales, did with the colt.
The trainer said, “He was presented in good condition, wasn’t he? They didn't overcook him. He looks a strong horse, so hopefully we can get him home and see where we go with him.”
Of the 86 lots offered on Day 1, which was 19 more than what was offered on this corresponding day 12 months ago, 59 were knocked down for an aggregate of 6,495,500gns (AU$12,582,000). That represented a three per cent rise on last year’s figures. However, the average fell nine per cent to 110,093gns (AU$213,000) and the clearance rate by 12 per cent to 69 per cent. The median also decreased by 10 per cent to 77,000gns (AU$149,000).
Oliver St Lawrence | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Meanwhile, the momentum behind first-season sire Blue Point (Ire) continued, with four horses selling for a combined sum of 565,000gns (AU$1,094,000), including a standout Tally-Ho Stud-drafted colt (Lot 30) by the stallion who was knocked down to Anthony Stroud for 340,000gns (AU$659,000). In fact, Blue Point was the most successful sire on the day, ahead of Starspanglebanner, who had three lots sell for 474,000gns (AU$918,000) and a higher average of 158,000gns (AU$306,000).
‘Tough night’s business’
Despite selling a Blue Point colt (Lot 100) for 130,000gns (AU$252,000) and a Showcasing (GB) colt (Lot 31) for 100,000gns (AU$194,000), John Cullinan reported a tricky trade for horses operating in the middle market after buying back two of his eight horses on Day 1.
Cullinan, who consigns under Church Farm and Horse Park Stud, described what was 'tough going' for horses selling outside of the top bracket.
He explained, “It was a mixed bag, a tough night’s business for some people. It’s the first domestic sale of the year and people may tend to be a bit more reserved maybe.
“It was a mixed bag, a tough night’s business for some people. It’s the first domestic sale of the year and people may tend to be a bit more reserved maybe.” - John Cullinan
“The middle market was tough going and even at that it was very selective. If you were lucky enough to have one that people wanted, you got well-paid but, for the rest of us, it was hard going.”
He added, “Our nicer horses did okay but we fell on our arses with the weaker ones. We had what we thought were a few suitable types for the middle market but it was tricky.
“We sold a Blue Point colt for 130,000gns and a Showcasing for 100,000gns, so that was fine, but everything in between was tough going.”
John Cullinan | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Searching for reasons why the clearance rate dropped from 78 per cent 12 months ago to 69 per cent on Tuesday (UK time), Cullinan suggested the breeze taking place on softer than ideal conditions may have played a role.
He said, “I don’t think the ground helped. When the breeze is on soft ground, it adds another dimension into the buyers’ thought process. I think it made things a little uncertain and maybe there was a lack of confidence because of that. We’ll see. Hopefully it picks up on (Wednesday UK time).”
