Latest from Horse & Hound in Tattersalls

‘Special horse’ breaks sale’s record with £1.47m price tag

Becky Murray — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 16:13:32 +0000

An Acclamation colt has sold for a record price on day one of the 2025 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up sale (15-16 April).

Lot 17, Willie Browne’s two-year-old colt out of Blue Willow mare Exceed and Excel, was knocked down for 1,400,000 guineas (£1.47m) to Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin. Mr Browne broke his own record for this sale, set in 2015 when a War Front colt sold for 1,150,000 guineas.

“I can’t believe it. I believed he would sell well and that he might get to 500,000 or 600,000 guineas,” said Mr Browne.

“He was a beautiful yearling that I paid €70,000 (£59,958) for. On 1 February when we started doing a bit of work, straight away he started to stand out but he is also so sound, so easy to train, he has a great mind. I do believe he is a very special horse.”

Acclamation has sired Group One winners, and Blue Willow is a sister to three black type performers from the family of champion two-year-old filly Lemon Souffle.

“He did a very good breeze and a very good gallop out and is a lovely horse,” Mr Stroud said. “It just shows how vibrant the breeze up sale is, there were so many people on him – not just two, I think there were four or five. It just shows the appetite to buy horses at this sale.

“I thought this sale would be strong, but I did not think this horse would be so expensive. We have a few on the list and he was one of them. He goes to [trainer] Charlie Appleby and no one does a better job, he is the best. It is great for Willie Browne, he has been doing the job for a long time. It is lovely for him.”

Other notable sales included lot 82, a St Mark’s Basilica colt who sold for 750,000 guineas to Amo Racing, and lot 5, a Havana Grey colt who sold for 650,000 guineas to Godolphin. A Havana Grey filly, lot 65, was knocked down for 375,000 to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock.

A Tattersalls spokesperson reported “strong trade” throughout the session; the median and average were up 18% and 40% respectively from the equivalent session in 2024. The sale continues at 5.45pm today (16 April).

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‘It has been an honour’: new world record price set at horse auction

Gemma Redrup — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:47:29 +0000

History was made at Tattersalls Ireland yesterday (5 February) when Caldwell Potter achieved a world record selling price of €740,000 (£632,000); the most ever paid for a National Hunt horse at public auction.

The Grade One winner and leading Cheltenham Festival contender was part of the Tattersalls Ireland Andy and Gemma Brown Dispersal Sale. Andy and Gemma recently decided to sell their entire string of horses, who had all been in training with Gordon Elliott, as they want to leave the sport.

The high-profile and unprecedented sale offered 29 lots, all without reserves. The session turnover of €5,290,000 was a record-breaking aggregate for a one-day boutique National Hunt Sale. The average price for the session was €182,414 with four horses selling for over €500,000 and 10 for €200,000 or more.

Although Gordon Elliott was the determined underbidder of Caldwell Potter in an effort to ensure the horse returned to his Cullentra House Stables, Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock ultimately secured the impressive six-year-old on behalf of John Hales, Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson and Peter Done, and the horse will go into training with Paul Nicholls.

“He is standout, a lovely horse – I loved him as a youngster as a store [unbroken three-year-old],” said Anthony. “I have watched his career closely – he has only been running over two miles yet he looks a stayer. He may potentially be a Gold Cup horse, long-term.

“I can’t say what plans Paul will have for the horse and we will see how it all works out, obviously there are the Cheltenham entries and Aintree would be a consideration, but he has been bought really as a chaser of the future.”

Gordon Elliott managed to secure Pied Piper for Windgates Stud on behalf of a new syndicate for €570,000, Staffordshire Knot for €510,000, Sa Fureur for €330,000 and Doctor Elvis for €260,000.

Gordon said: “I was disappointed to lose the big horse, but that is the way it is – hopefully he will be lucky for the new owners. Pied Piper is coming back and we have got all the ones we wanted apart from Caldwell Potter.”

Simon Kerins, CEO of Tattersalls Ireland, said: “First and foremost, I extend my sincere gratitude to Andy and Gemma Brown, as well as Joey Logan, for entrusting us with their dispersal sale, it has been an honour.

“I would like to express my appreciation to Gordon Elliott and his team – every single horse in this draft has been produced looking in superb order and, finally, the Tattersalls Ireland team for turning this sale around at such speed. It is testament to the team’s professionalism and hard work, proof of the flexibility that we have and ability to act as the industry requires.

“The sale has been a phenomenal success and the figures paid have been mind-blowing. We knew these horses would be in high demand given their proven level of form, and all the big players were here today.

“We look forward to watching today’s sales horses going on to achieve great things on the racecourse, and we hope to see the Browns return to the racing scene in the near future.”

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Superstar filly sells for +£5 million – and her future plans revealed

Lucy Elder — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 20:58:07 +0000

Star filly Alcohol Free will race on in Australia and has a potential date with Frankel pencilled in for her future after selling for a staggering 5.4 million guineas (£5.67m) at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last night (29 November).

The figure is the second highest price in European auction history.

The four-time Group One winner was trained by Andrew Balding for Jeff Smith to win the Cheveley Park Stakes, as well as the Coronation Stakes, Sussex Stakes and the July Cup.

Bloodstock agent Michael Donohoe, of BBA Ireland, landed the winning bid, confirming that the four-year-old was bought for a partnership to race in Australia.

“Those blue [chip] fillies who come off the track, they are collectors’ items,” said Mr O’Donohoe, reflecting on the bidding to over 5 million guineas.

“They don’t come on the market, like a Picasso, and if they do come on the market, you just have to value them and we had a figure in our head. I suppose I was bidding pretty strongly so I guess it indicated there was a bit more petrol in the tank.”

It was standing room only when the No Nay Never daughter was led into the sale ring in the second of Tattersalls’ new “Sceptre sessions” for outstanding fillies and broodmares at its December sale. The bidding started at seven figures, with Australian owner-breeder Michael Sherrin, standing alongside agent Jim Clarke, placing the opening bid of 1 million guineas.

? Alcohol Free sells for 5,400,000gns.? Alcohol Free sells for 5,400,000gns.A titanic bidding war sees @BBAIreland come out on top for Jeff Smith and @AndrewBalding2's four-time Group 1 winner at the #TattsDecember Mares Sale.A titanic bidding war sees @BBAIreland come out on top for Jeff Smith and @AndrewBalding2's four-time Group 1 winner at the #TattsDecember Mares Sale.???? ???????. pic.twitter.com/Ozyzbk7kZe???? ???????. pic.twitter.com/Ozyzbk7kZe— Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) November 29, 2022— Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) November 29, 2022

Blandford Bloodstock’s Richard Brown, Mr Donohoe and Coolmore’s MV Magnier joined the bidding war. As the sum passed 4 million guineas, Mr Donohoe and Mr Magnier, sitting alongside Yuesheng Zhang, went head to head, and the filly was knocked down to Mr Donohoe for 5.4 million guineas.

“She vetted extremely well and clean for a filly with some miles on the clock,” he said. “My vet was super happy with her. She is for a partnership who have horses in training and breed as well. There is a lot of money to win in Australia – I think 87 races this year are worth a million plus so we hope to recoup a lot of what we paid for her, and add a bit more too.

“She is a filly with speed for six furlongs but stayed a mile, so there will be a lot of options for her.”

He credited Mr Balding and his team for doing a “great job”, adding that the filly “looked very fresh”.

“She will make a lovely broodmare in time, she has the physique and the pedigree. It is a family I know well as I bought the dam for Yulong Investments last year, and she has a lovely Lope de Vega foal at foot and is in-foal to Lucky Vega,” he said.

“She will probably race for a season and then be covered, and we will probably send her to Frankel. So we will decide whether we cover on northern or southern hemisphere time, but obviously Frankel is an exceptional sire and is doing it in both hemispheres.”

Alcohol Free’s last appearance at a sales ring was in 2018, when she sold at Goffs November Foal sale for €40,000 (£34,568) to Mr Smith’s Littleton Stud.

Littleton Stud manager David Bowe, who landed the winning bid on that occasion, said the team is “delighted”.

“It is the end of a wonderful, wonderful journey we have been on, a wonderful dream,” he said.

“To end up here at Tattersalls, it is magnificent. [Auctioneer] Ollie Fowlston did a brilliant job from the rostrum and we could not have been better treated. Everyone was here to look at her.

“She walked in and looked beautiful. If it had been five years earlier with Jeff, we might not have brought her to the sale ring, but she will make a beautiful mare in time. We have enough broodmares, she was not bred by us, but it is really to do with the timescale. It is time for someone else.

“We have had so much luck… everyone involved with her, the team at home on the farm, the Caffneys whom we bought from, all her jockeys. I can’t thank everyone enough, and for everyone who put their hands up in the ring – it was lovely. Everyone has had a massive part.

“It has been emotional, I can’t believe it, it just shows that whatever sales ground you are at, we are all trying to do the same thing and it has happened to the likes of us! It is extraordinary. It just goes to show if you keep plugging away it can happen.”

He added: “Jeff was not here tonight, but it is all down to him. He let us buy her, let us all get involved in the whole dream.

“It is a beautiful end to our chapter, and we wish the new connections all the luck. We don’t buy an awful lot of horses, but we have been lucky with the ones we have.”

Miniature iconic statue of The late Queen with mare and foal sells for six figures

Lucy Elder — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 20:03:23 +0000

A bronze model of the famous statue of The late Queen with a mare and foal in Newmarket has found a new home with a great supporter of racing and Her Majesty thanks to a family museum visit this summer.

The miniature version of the iconic life-sized statue sold for 165,000 guineas (£173,250) ahead of the first Sceptre session at the Tattersalls December Sales on Monday (28 November), with all proceeds going to the National Horseracing Museum.

The maquette, by Etienne Millner and Charlie Langton, was knocked down to bloodstock agent Jamie McCalmont, on behalf of Hong Kong-based owner Marc Chan.

“On behalf of all the staff and volunteers at the National Horseracing Museum we would like to express our enormous thanks to Mr Chan for this huge gesture of support and confidence in the museum,” said museum director, Anne-Marie Hogan.

The moment the hammer fell for the bronze maquette of The late Queen with a mare and foal (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Only 12 maquettes of the statue were made, and The late Queen was presented with the first.

Mr McCalmont explained there were three reasons Mr Chan wanted to buy the model. On a visit to the museum with his family this summer, he was so impressed that he wanted to support it.

He added that Mr Chan was a great admirer of The Queen, hugely respecting her devotion and love of racing and as patron of the museum. Mr Chan saw the marquette on display at the museum, and another in private ownership, while visiting Newmarket and was very taken with it.

The final reason is that on 11 September, as The Queen’s funeral cortege made its way from Balmoral to Edinburgh, it passed through Kinross. At the same time, the town’s namesake – owned by Mr Chan – was winning the Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster.

Ms Hogan added: “This is a very heart-warming story that even in death The Queen is still one of our greatest supporters.

“We would also like to thank Tattersalls for agreeing to conduct the auction and finally the Newmarket Commemoration Committee who had the foresight to arrange for the casting of the 12 maquettes as a fundraising tool for the museum.”

The life-sized statue of the miniature version sold on Monday is a well-known landmark, standing near the entrance of the Rowley Mile racecourse. It was given to Her Majesty as a gift from the town in the year of her 90th birthday. Following her death in September, the statue became a focal point for the town to lay floral tributes in her memory.

14 of The Queen’shorses tobe sold this week

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 16:30:49 +0000

The King is selling some of the horses he inherited from his late mother The Queen at Tattersalls this week.

His Majesty has 14 horses in training listed in this week’s Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale (24-27 October). It is the largest sale of its kind in the world, with some 1,500 horses for sale.

The royal family has about 50 horses in training, and selling some of these at the end of each season is normal, as is the fact the horses are being consigned by their trainers.

Six horses were due to go under the hammer today; two-year-olds Persian Gold, Constitution and Juryman, and three-year-olds Duty Bound, Spring Is Sprung and Tack.

Five more are to be sold tomorrow; Theme Park 2 and Just Fine, four, and three-year-olds Kiteflyer, Naval College General Idea. On Wednesday, two-year-olds Quiet Life, Love Affairs and four-year-old Tactical will be sold.

Tattersalls spokesman Jimmy George said the sales did not mean a change to the royal family’s connection with racing: “It’s nothing out of the ordinary. Every year they would sell horses,” he said.

“Every year owners sell stock. His Majesty is just doing what owners do.”

The details of the late Queen’s horse who are due to be sold this week can be seen on the Tattersalls website.

£2.94m colt is highest-priced yearling sold in the world this year

Gemma Redrup — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 17:55:27 +0000

A colt by racing superstar and super sire Frankel became the most expensive yearling sold in the world this year when going under the hammer for 2.8 million guineas at Tattersalls in Newmarket on Wednesday (5 October).

The colt (lot 221), bred by the Lloyd Webbers’ Watership Down Stud, was sold to top racing operation Godolphin for £2.94m at the prestigious Book One Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. The unnamed yearling is out of the Group Three Musidora Stakes winning mare So Mi Dar, who was sired by Dubawi.

Watership Down Stud’s owner Madeleine Lloyd Webber said: “It is always a shame to sell the wonderful stock out of the Dar Re Mi family but we just have to. He is a particularly beautiful colt, he looks so like his father Frankel yet he has the Dar Re Me line and the beautiful head. He walked beautifully, I could not really fault him. We obviously loved him, we are delighted that Godolphin bought him and he is going to stay here [in the UK] and be trained brilliantly. We could not have hoped for anything better really.”

“Obviously he’s got a stallion’s pedigree as he’s by Frankel out of a very good Dubawi mare,” said Anthony Stroud after signing for Godolphin’s top purchase. “This is one of Watership Down’s best families so he was the jewel in the crown. He is an outstanding horse and he will be a very valuable horse if he is a good racehorse.”

Simon Marsh, general manager of Watership Down, said: “It is an amazing family, it’s an extraordinary thing when you have a horse like that and he fulfills everything you want. He has been an exceptional individual all his life, but these things don’t happen by accident, there has been an enormous amount of people involved in getting him here – stud manager Terry Doherty, who has been with us for 30 years, Conor Chapman, who led him up, and Donna Vowles, who is our manager in Ireland, the feed people, the farriers, all these people have to come together to get the horse here today. We are delighted, it is an incredible family and we are incredibly lucky.”

Frankel was a superstar on the racecourse and looks to have transferred that superiority to the breeding shed, breaking all records so far in his stud career and already the sire of eight top-level winners in 2022. He had five of the top 10 prices at this year`s October Book One Sale, including the top two lots.

Trade was incredibly strong at this year’s Book One sale with turnover reaching a record 126,671,000 guineas, up 47% on last year’s sale. The average and median sale prices rose by 30% and 25% respectively to 298,752 guineas and 200,000 guineas, which are also both records. However the top lot’s price fell short of the sale’s record, which remains held by a Galileo filly out of Alluring Park, who sold for 5,000,000 guineas in 2013.

The world’s most expensive horse ever sold was Fusaichi Pegasus, who cost $70 million (£53.7 million) when he was bought by the racehorse breeding powerhouse Coolmore Ireland in 2000.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our a href=”https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/hhplus”>online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

40 horsey things to do before you die

Madeleine Silver — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 13:02:36 +0000

Most people have a “bucket list” of things they would like to experience at some point in life – and equestrians are likely to have a “horse bucket list”. Here’s Horse & Hound’s list of suggestions that we think you should consider including – some will be relatively easy to tick off, while others will take a bit of saving up to do. But all of them will be totally worth it when you get there – and even better if you can capture it on one of the best riding hat cameras!

Horse bucket list suggestions to consider

2A847AF Looking down at a group of horse riders riding on an empty beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales. (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

1) Gallop in the sea

Splashing in the surf, galloping along the sand – or even full-on swimming in the sea. Training on the beach was the making of Red Rum, and it’s a treat for any rider and horse.

If you have a horse you can take, here’s what you need to know before you go for a beach ride. If you don’t have a horse you can take, check out these horse experience days to see if there’s a beach riding venue near you.

BP0GBG Kenya, Chyulu Hills, Ol Donyo Wuas. A family on a riding safari, ride close to Maasai giraffe out on the plains. (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

2) Ride among giraffes in Africa

An African safari is the rider’s equivalent of swimming with dolphins. The Okavango Delta in Botswana is a wilderness paradise of lagoons, islands and forests with the best game viewing in Southern Africa. Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia and South Africa also offer great riding experiences. Here are some tips to help you choose the right safari for you.

3) Ride out for a racehorse trainer

Wangle an introduction and convince the trainer that, perched atop half a ton of galloping horse, you’ll be able to restrain its power. Be prepared for cold, early mornings – but nothing beats the feeling of having galloped three thoroughbreds by breakfast.

If you don’t fancy riding yourself, why not book a behind-the-scenes tour in Newmarket?

Thailand's Arinadtha Chavatanont reacts after falling off Boleybawn Prince during the equestrian's eventing team and individual cross country during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Sea Forest Cross Country Course in Tokyo on August 1, 2021. (Photo by Yuki IWAMURA / AFP) (Photo by YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images) (Image credit: AFP via Getty Images)

4) Fall off in a water jump

Perhaps not top of your list of priorities, but a rite of passage. Tackle them often enough and it will happen. Just try to ensure a photographer is there to capture the moment.

5) Ride side-saddle

Side-saddle riding has gained new interest since period dramas such as Downton Abbey. It’s elegant, skilled and – once the initial awkwardness is overcome – some riders believe it’s more comfortable than astride. Read this tips on how to ride side-saddle before you give it a go.

6) Jump a 5ft fence

Take your pick and pump up some pluck: a Chase-me-Charlie pole, a hedge out hunting or an Irish wall.

BW9B6M Kilkenny Hunt . Ireland (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

7) Go hunting in Ireland

Not for the faint-hearted – but if double banks, cavernous ditches and a totally gung-ho attitude is up your street, there are plenty of ways to fulfil your dream of hunting on the Emerald Isle. If you’re adding this to your horse bucket list, make sure you book an experienced hireling who will know the lie of the land, fill up your hip flask with some Dutch courage, and find out what people say about hunting in Ireland.

8) Drive a horse

In honour of the late Duke of Edinburgh, who took up driving after retiring from polo, this is one sport every horseman should try. The British Driving Society has a list of contacts for all qualified instructors in all areas of the UK, including those catering for the disabled. We’ve also found a few and rounded them up in our guide to horse experience days.

9) Do tempi changes

One to tick off as and when you are ready rather than pushing for something outside your skill level. But if you are not yet up to training your horse to do them yourself, then you can book in a lesson with a dressage schoolmaster at various training centres around the country, although you will need to prove a certain level of riding ability.

10) Have riding boots made to measure

Although they don’t come cheap, nothing feels as good as slipping on a pair of made-to-measure riding boots. No rubbing, no awkward baggy gaps, and the feel of perfect unison with your horse. Here’s a selection of the best long leather riding boots, some of which are available in made-to-measure sizes.

11) Back a horse or pony

Not for the inexperienced horseman, but everyone who backed a horse has had a first time – just make sure you have someone experienced on hand to help and guide you. The joy of backing your own horse, developing mutual trust and going on to compete is immeasurable and definitely one for the horse bucket list.

The field heading for the start (Image credit: Hamish Mitchell)

12) Have a spin round the Golden Button

If you’re an equestrian adrenaline junkie then look no further than the three-mile race over Ledbury hunt country held in February. Anyone can enter – there’s just 22 natural obstacles between you and the finish line.

13) Lead a winner into the paddock

If you can’t afford the Tattersalls Sales, you could join a syndicate. Most racing stables run syndicates with an enormous variation in

numbers of owners and costs, or there are also racing clubs where you can pay an all-in fee. For instance Elite Racing Club has membership for £17 per month. You may not end up leading in a winner, but you’ll be able to visit the horse training and at the races and be privy to some special owner perks.

14) Be a stunt rider in a movie

“Real” stunt riders need a minimum of six skills (fighting, falling, riding/driving, agility/ strength, water, and miscellaneous – any

skill performed to elite standard). However, many riders have been in the right place at the right time and called up to film a riding scene because they look the part and know how to look authentic on a horse.

Jodie and Ellie Hall-McAteer riding Fantom and Crisanta on Rotten Row in the park (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

15) Ride at sunrise in Hyde Park

The Household Cavalry has a small pool of civilian riders who help exercise their horses, but a serving soldier needs to nominate you

to be added to the waiting list. Alternatively, there are a couple of riding stables on the edge of the park: Ross Nye and Hyde Park Stables, where you can pay for the pleasure. There is also a Civil Service Riding Club for those eligible, which uses Hyde Park.

Horse No 972, WOODFIELD JOVIAL JOKER owned by and ridden / exhibited by , Champion in the Working Hunter Pony of the Year Championship during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 6 -10th October 2021 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

16) Ride up the centre line at Horse of the Year Show

For showing riders, this is the pinnacle. Ride up the centre line in that hushed arena and you know you’ve made it.

17) Play polo

The feeling of (finally) being able to canter after that white ball and whack it is intensely satisfying, never mind the exhilaration of a ride-off. Check out some venues that offer polo lessons in this collection of horse experience days if you’re adding this to your horse bucket list.

CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: A general view as runners line up for the start of The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase at Cheltenham racecourse on day one of the festival meeting on March 14, 2017 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)

18) Hear the roar at the start of Cheltenham

When the first race of the Cheltenham Festival begins, the crowd’s roar is enough to make your blood sizzle. There were no crowds last year, but hopes are high that this year we will again hear the roar as the tapes are raised for the Supreme Novices on 15 March. Find out more and buy tickets at thejockeyclub.co.uk

NEWMARKET, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Lot24, a bay filly by Redoute's Choice sells for 725,000 guineas to John Magnier during the Tattersalls auction sales in Newmarket on October 06, 2015 in Newmarket, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)

19) See a horse being sold for a million

For astronomical prices, head to Newmarket or Kentucky. Records of some kind are smashed year by year, and the buzz of the sales ring is spellbinding.

20) Volunteer at a show

If you phone up any event organiser, chances are they’ll take your hand off. Surprisingly rewarding and for hardcore volunteers, the route to championships around the world. Here are five ways to volunteer in the horse world.

Jo Hales riding DAWN CHORUS, 2nd in the Mitsubishi Motors Cup for BE100 during the Badminton Horse Trails between 1st - 5th May 2019 on the Badminton Estate near Bristol in Gloucestershire in the UK on 30th April 2019 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

21) Ride at Badminton

An advanced eventer with five-star potential is going to cost you an arm and a leg, and then you’ve got to be able to ride it. However, the Voltaire Design Badminton Grassroots Championships brings together winners from BE90 and BE100 regional qualifiers from around

the country to contest for the championship. This year, Badminton takes place from 3–8 May – find out how to get tickets here. Failing that, or if you fancy the thrill of the chase, take a day out with the Beaufort hunt. You never know where the trail might lead you…

File photo dated 06-04-2019 of Jockey Davy Russell celebrates winning the Randox Health Grand National Handicap Chase with Tiger Roll during Grand National Day of the 2019 Randox Health Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse. (Image credit: PA)

22) Watch the Grand National live

If you’ve never ventured up to Aintree, this is a must. This season, the Randox Grand National Festival takes place from 7–9 April, with the great race on Saturday, 9 April. Get more info at tickets at thejockeyclub.co.uk

23) Watch the Spanish Riding School

Under glittering chandeliers, the famous white Lipizzaner stallions perform the purest form of dressage in Vienna.

24) Get your photo in H&H

Either beat one of our Olympians, or be at the top of your level and send a completely brilliant photo to wow the picture editor.

25) Spend a day at the Calgary Stampede

“The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”, as it is billed, brings out the cowboy in everyone. Top-level rodeo riding, barrel racing and more. It takes place in Calgary each July (8–17 July 2022).

MWY22M Camptown, Jedburgh, Scottish Borders, UK. 31st May 2018. Racehorse Maggie Blue and her day old foal at trainer Harriet Graham's Racing Yard near Jedbu (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

26) See a foal being born

Offer to do the last week of nightly vigil for a friend’s in-foal mare. Or, if you’re extremely lucky on a National Stud tour, you might see a live birth during the foaling season, but probably via a video link. A tour of the National Stud is part of this behind-the-scenes day at Newmarket.

27) Ride in a charity race

A number of charities, such as the British Horse Society (BHS), hold special races on allocated days, usually a one-mile Flat race. Riders usually have to source their own racehorse, raise a set amount of money and physically it’s no walk in the park, with riders facing a gruelling assessment and fitness test. Horse & Hound’s Gemma Redrup gave it a go in 2018 and blogged about the experience.

Team, Cartier Vs Maserati Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz Switzerland 2016 (Photo by Davide Mombelli/Corbis via Getty Images) (Image credit: Corbis via Getty Images)

28) Watch the action on the frozen lake at St Moritz

With freezing temperatures and 1,800m above sea level, the Swiss venue of St Moritz is a dazzling setting for elite polo teams, racing and skijoring. White Turf runs on three Saturdays in February, featuring international horse racing, while the Snow Polo World Cup will take place on the lake 28–30 January. Horse & Hound went behind the scenes at St Moritz to check it out.

29) Herd cattle across the plains of Montana

Unless you have a long-lost cowboy uncle, you’ll need to join a trip or work on a ranch. It’s not a cheap riding holiday, but it’s an unmissable experience.

30) Ride a bucking bronco

Either head to the Wild West for the real thing (madness), or hire one for a party.

31) Try reining

Fancy embracing your inner cowboy/girl? Then why not give reining a go – from spins to sliding-stops, reining could offer you a completely new equestrian experience.

32) Give vaulting a go

If you’ve got a pair of leggings and some pumps to wear, you can try your hand at vaulting. You don’t need your own horse and new vaulters are welcomed into the fold. For more information visit the British Equestrian Vaulting website or book yourself onto a vaulting and trick riding session.

33) Ride a heavy horse

Are you a thoroughbred snob? The rolling gait of a heavy horse gives a completely different feel in the saddle. Cumbrian Heavy Horses is the world’s only BHS-approved heavy horse riding centre and offers a range of riding on fields, fells and beaches in the Lake District National Park aboard magnificent Clydesdale, Shire, Suffolk, Comtois and Ardennes heavy horses.

Race Day 6: Donal Fahy and Richie Killoran gallop away from Horse Station 16 at sunrise. (Image credit: Richard Dunwoody)

34) Compete in the Mongol Derby

The longest and toughest horse race in the world – over 1,000km of Mongolian Steppe, on semi-wild horses, changing steeds every 40km. You navigate and survive on your wits and skill, living among the herders. It’s you and your horse vs the wild. Here’s eight things you need to know before you start planning your trip.

35) Enjoy the thrill of a team chase

The exhilarating sensation of galloping across the country, over whatever fences block your path, with a group of mates. No one takes themselves too seriously and it’s a lot of fun. Here are some tips on how to get started.

36) Jump bareback

If you want to have a go, the answer is to start small, build up and practise. Just remember, canter is more comfortable than trot! If you feel insecure riding with no saddle, start on the lunge so you can concentrate on your position rather than what the horse is doing. Here are some riders taking part in the Bareback Challenge at Bury Farm to give you some inspiration.

F64Y5H Icelandic Horse. Girl performing the toelt on a stallion on a riding place. Austria (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

37) Ride an Icelandic in tölt

The small and compact Icelandic horses are famous for their fifth gait, the tölt. Book yourself up on a trip to Iceland to put it to the test – and if you time it right you could see the Northern Lights.

38) Have a go at horseball

Do you back yourself to be able to cling on for a fast-paced game of horseball? A number of riding schools offer lessons and clinics, and the British Horseball Association has a list of registered trainers who are available to come out to groups of riders who want to learn the sport.

39) Ride in the main ring at Hickstead

Hone your dressage, showing and showjumping skills and get out there and get winning.

40) Represent your country

Competition will be exceptionally hot for this year’s World Equestrian Games teams, but there are opportunities at lower levels, such as the CCI3*-S European Cup or the Home Internationals in dressage.

Yearling colt bred by Lady Lloyd-Webber sells for £1.26m

Gemma Redrup — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 12:52:16 +0000

Lady Lloyd-Webber was celebrating yesterday (6 October) after her home-bred colt by Sea The Stars became the sales topper at the Book 1 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in Newmarket, when the hammer came down for 1.2 million guineas (£1.26m).

The bay colt out of the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes winner So Mi Dar was the first in the three-day Book 1 sale to reach the seven-figure mark, with the sale due to conclude later today (7 October).

Lady Lloyd-Webber of Watership Down Stud was at Tattersalls to see her colt sell, and husband Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber arrived at Newmarket just to time to catch the sale, too.

“We never expected to break the million guinea barrier, because no one ever does, maybe Andrew is our lucky omen!” smiled a delighted Lady Lloyd-Webber. “It is very difficult to do that. The Dar Re Mi family is carrying on, and that is what it is all about from a foundation mare. We are now in the third generation, it is really wonderful to see this family keep going.

“He is a beautiful horse, hopefully he will win the Guineas. And then will carry on winning Group 1s like the rest of the family.”

Lord Lloyd-Webber, who arrived just in time to see his wife’s colt sell, said: “I walked in at the 600,000gns mark.”

So Mi Dar, a daughter of Dubawi, is a full sister to Lah Ti Dar and champion two-year-old Too Darn Hot. Lady Lloyd-Webber revealed she is “excited” as the mare is now in-foal to Lope De Vega.

This colt was purchased by Charlie Gordon-Watson on behalf of Bill Farish’s Woodford Racing, the result of a last-minute phone call from the US.

“Bill Farish rang me just an hour ago and said, ‘What about this horse? What do you think?’ I told him that I thought he was the best horse I have seen at the sale,” explained Charlie Gordon-Watson. “I know the family backwards, as Bill does, and he is a great friend of Simon’s [Marsh, general manager Watership Down Stud], but he did not want Simon to know anything about it – Simon had no idea.

“It all happened in the last hour-and-a-half. I think I got the valuation right as I told Bill that I thought he’d make between 800,000gns and 1.2 million. I have been involved in the family all the way through, I bought Darara [third dam], and this colt is very typical of the family, perhaps a bit bigger because they are all slightly smallish, Darara was quite small. He is a very athletic horse, I have been going on about him for a long time.”

Of Farish’s plans for his new colt and reasoning behind the purchase, Gordon-Watson said: “Bill liked the pedigree and the mare, everything is so international now. The horse will stay here, and no trainer has been decided as yet. He is not a horse to go to the US as a two-year-old. I think Bill probably saw an opportunity in this market.”

So Mi Dar has had three foals, with her oldest named Astrologia, a 2019 Galileo filly, who is yet to run. So Mi Dar is a daughter of Dar Re Mi who won six races, including the Yorkshire Oaks (Group One), the Pretty Polly Stakes (Group One) and the Dubai Sheema Classic (Group One).

Dar Re Mi is dam of four black-type runners, headed by the champion two-year-old and champion three-year-old miler Too Darn Hot, a three-time Group One winner, now a Darley sire and a full-brother to So Mi Dar.

The foundation mare Darara is dam of five black-type winners, including three Group One winners, and the family stretches to Darshaan, a champion of 1984 and winner of the Prix Jockey-Club (Group One).

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Galileo filly becomes highest priced yearling sold in the world this year

Becky Murray — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 13:12:13 +0000

Two fillies by Galileo have become the most expensive yearlings sold at auction in the world this year – as nine lots fetch seven figure prices at the Tattersalls October yearling sale book one last week (6-8 October).

Lot 436, a Galileo filly out of Shastye, was bought by MV Magnier, Coolmore, for £3.57 million on the final day of the sale. The Newsells Park Stud consigned filly is the full sister to Group One winners Japan and Mogul and will join her full-brothers at Ballydoyle.

“It is a great result for everybody involved, she has been bought in partnership with Westerberg,” said MV Magnier. “She is a very nice filly and a very nice mover, like Japan and Mogul. The mare produces great looking stock and great racehorses, let’s hope she does it one more time.”

The second Galileo filly, Lot 374, was also bought by MV Magnier. The filly, out of the dual Grade Two winner Prize Exhibit, sold for £2.94 million.

‘[Her] breeder David Nagle has been saying for a very long time how good a filly she is. We are very lucky to have been able to buy her. She has a great page, and she comes from a very good nursery,” said Mr Magnier.

“These kind of fillies are collectors items with Galileo and how he is doing as a broodmare sire. She is just exceptional.”

During the auction’s three days nine lots sold for seven figure prices including Lot 174, the son of Kingman who sold for £2.84 million to Oliver St Laurence from Houghton Bloodstock, on behalf of Pantile Stud. The colt, out of Galicuix, is a half brother to class winner Galileo Gold.

Bo Hicks-Little, stud manager of Pantile Stud, said the colt has “never put a foot wrong”.

Article continued below…

(Image credit: ©Tattersalls)

Mare sells for record £6.3million at Tattersalls auction

The sale turned into a bidding war between the racing powerhouses of Coolmore and Godolphin before the hammer fell on

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Dream of buying a racehorse? Here’s what to look for

Bloodstock expert Byron Rogers tells us what to look for when buying a racehorse...

(Image credit: ©Tattersalls)

“He is a superstar, and not just physically, he is so mentally strong too, he is such a professional. He was a late April foal and we had a bad night when he was born as we nearly lost the mare. We had to bottle feed him for 24 hours,” he said.

“He has been bought for Fawzi Nass and Bahraini interests. He is a gorgeous horse, he has a stallion’s pedigree and he will go into training with Roger Varian,” added Mr St Laurence.

Lot 109, a colt by Dubawi out of Cushion, was bought by Godolphin for £2.21 million from Floors Stud. The stable also bought Lot 162, a filly by Frankel out of Flesh d’Or for £2.1 million from Norelands Stud and Lot 41, a colt by Frankel out of Attraction, for £1.16 million from Floors Stud.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

End of the road for Tattersalls International Horse Trials after 15 years

Becky Murray — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 16:40:59 +0000

The organisers of Tattersalls International Horse Trials have called time on the event after 15 years on the calendar.

The annual three-day event in Co Meath, Ireland, was established in 2006 by the late George Mernagh. Since his death in 2012, it had been supported by the George Mernagh Memorial Fund. It had been due to run on 27-31 May this year but it was announced in March the event had been cancelled owing to the pandemic.

In a statement today (21 August) Tattersalls said it was with “great regret” they are to withdraw from hosting and sponsoring the horse trials.

“Despite the tireless efforts of the organising committee and the generous support of the George Mernagh Memorial Fund, the commercial realities of staging such an event have proved insurmountable and the trustees of the fund have concluded that the trust can best achieve its long-term objectives of promoting youth participation in Irish equestrian sports by supporting a broader range of equestrian disciplines,” read the statement.

Tattersalls will continue to host equestrian sports at the Tattersalls Ireland site in Fairyhouse including the several national events, and a July show, which are already held at the venue.

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony thanked the organised committee, led by Jean Mitchell, the events’ sponsors, and those who volunteered on an annual basis, for making the horse trials “an event of which the country could be proud”.

“I would also like to thank the many owners and riders from all over the world who supported this event over many years. Sadly, due to the financial challenges that all of us are facing following the coronavirus outbreak, we regrettably feel unable to continue hosting such a large and costly international event, coming as it does in the middle of a very busy sales period for the company,” he said.

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“I would like to pay particular tribute to the trustees of the George Mernagh Memorial Fund without whose financial support this difficult decision would have inevitably come sooner.

Mr Mahony added he looks forward to Tattersalls continuing to host equestrian events at Fairyhouse, including the successful July show, run annually in aid of the St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown.

“In the meantime all of us involved in the Tattersalls International Horse Trials can look back with pride on what the event achieved in its 15 years and the contribution it has made to the sport of eventing in Ireland,” he said.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

‘I can’t wait’: Jonty Evans to return to Tattersalls

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 02 May 2019 06:01:50 +0000

Jonty Evans says he “can’t wait” to return to Tattersalls International Horse Trials, a year after his fall.

The Irish eventer is to return to the Co Meath event (29 May to 2 June), and has signed up to do the commentary on the live stream of the event.

It will be less than a year since Jonty suffered serious head injuries in a fall from Cooley Rorkes Drift (Art) on the CCI3* (now CCI4*-L) cross-country at the same event, which left him in a coma for six weeks.

“I’m coming to Tattersalls because it’s one of my favourite events of the year, I feel really at home there,” he said. “I actually only have good memories of last year because my horses had all gone really well and I had my son Charlie was with me, so until I actually had the accident I had a great time. I don’t remember anything after it happened!”

Jonty told H&H Tattersalls event director Jean Mitchell was one of the first people to ring him after he regained consciousness last summer, and that she and Tattersalls event secretary Dora Beacom had been “so kind to me, it’s untrue”.

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‘He will love being back’: Jonty Evans and Art to return to Badminton

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“Between them, they run the eventing forum at Hartpury and they insisted I came along,” he said. “They were so good to me and I think their insistence I got involved with things really helped me.

“I’m looking forward to Tattersalls now. I’ll be able to see and thank people, be it organisers, officials or riders – everyone, I think. I can see them and thank them for helping me.

“I will be having a good look round the trade stands, the fair rides, definitely walking the cross-country courses and have signed myself up for commentary of the live streaming. I can’t wait!”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Harry Meade: Why people love Tattersalls H&H VIP

Harry Meade — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 08:00:01 +0000

Opinion

Tattersalls seems to grow every year, and this time the event hosted 354 horses across eight international classes. The event organisation treats it as a real labour of love and creates a positive, welcoming feeling.

I’ve been a rider representative there for several years and on each visit every previous suggestion has been carried out and more.

The event was the brainchild of the late George Mernagh, the popular managing director of Tattersalls Ireland — the bloodstock auction house that hosts the event. He was a highly gifted horseman — a capable National Hunt jockey who evented at three-star and was a top showing judge. He sadly died of cancer aged 56 but how proud he would be that the event he started is now among the best in Europe.

The bloodstock company has no need to host the event, and no doubt it would be easier for them not to, but it is in the organisation’s ethos to support the wider equestrian world. They also open their gilded gates to host a horse show, a point to-point, a hunter trials and the Irish Pony Club eventing championships.

For the grooms it’s a joy to work out of the first-class permanent facilities, which are used for the bloodstock sales.

A courtyard of stables separates each American barn; the whole site is immaculate with a permanent canteen, showers and loos.

The comfortable bar is great for owners, and there’s livestreaming for those who can’t make it. For us, being half term, it’s a fun event to bring the children to, as there are plenty of friends and a lifesaving funfair zone.

Educational tracks

Tattersalls’ organisers make a point of inviting experienced ground juries for all the classes.

The biggest reason to go, though, is the educational cross-country courses. By fence eight on the CCI2* you had jumped two decent ditches, a bank and a water complex and it carries on like that.

Ian Stark’s tracks follow the classic Frank Weldon concept — the legendary Badminton designer said the fences should frighten riders but be fair to horses. The Tattersalls courses are imposing to walk, but they have good flow, cause fewer problems than you’d expect and are enjoyable to ride.

Ditches, banks and water are far more educational for horses than angles and portables which create faults but don’t broaden a horse’s experience in the same way.

Cross-country design is continuously in a state of flux and we are now seeing a repetitive theme of steep angles, particularly in Continental Europe. A few such questions work, but we shouldn’t deviate too far from the original challenge of crossing the country, testing horses’ and riders’ ability to jump bravely and accurately, overcoming the equine instinct to shrink from those natural elements.

Horses had a similar educational experience at Tweseldown the week before Tattersalls, with the intermediate course containing a good variety of natural obstacles.

The only anomaly at Tattersalls was the first water, which was reasonably straightforward in the one- and two-star, but horses really backed off. Too many good horses and experienced riders came to grief to put it down to poor riding, but nor was it a bad fence. In this situation, there is evidently something that isn’t clear to the horses, even though it may not be visible to the human eye.

Finally, the eventing community is thinking of Jonty Evans, who suffered a bad fall at Tattersalls. We wish him a full recovery and hope for some good news soon.

Ref Horse & Hound; 7 June 2018

Oliver Townend in bidding duel for €49,000 top lot at Tattersalls event horse sale

Pippa Roome — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 16:29:48 +0000

Oliver Townend was the underbidder on the top lot in the inaugural Goresbridge Tattersalls Ireland Select Event Horse Sale on Thursday evening (31 May).

The horse sales were held alongside the horse trials at Tattersalls and 15 horses were auctioned. The horses were chosen by event horse agent Sally Parkyn and Lt Col Brian McSweeney (ret).

The top lot was Master Class Ramiro (lot 10), a four-year-old by Ramiro B, out of a mare who is a granddaughter of Master Imp through her damline. The horse was consigned by Jason Higgins. He was the subject of a bidding duel between Oliver Townend and Chris Gould, with Chris the successful buyer at €49,000 (£43,000).

Master Class Ramiro, by Ramiro B. Photo by Laurence Dunne (jumpinaction.net) (Image credit: Laurence dunne)

Oliver has enjoyed success this spring with Ramiro B horses — both Kentucky winner Cooley Master Class and Badminton runner-up Cooley SRS are by him — and the stallion stands at Harthill Stud, Oliver’s breeding venture with Nina Barbour.

A further eight horses were sold on the evening, with a total aggregate price of €209,500 and an average of €23,278.

Irish four-star and championship rider Trish Ryan signed for the second most expensive horse sold, Lislan Liam, consigned by Sylvia Revill. He was lot six and went for €26,000. He is a chestnut five-year-old by the jumping sire Je T’Aime Flamenco out of a mare by Harlequin Du Carel.

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Jerpoint Eclipse, sold for €24,500, made the third best price as lot 12. He was sold by Maurice Coleman and bought by Richard Gordon. He is a four-year-old by Chinook Eclipse, out of a mare with Clover Hill and Chair Lift in her pedigree.

The horses who didn’t make their reserves were led out unsold at between €5000 and €16,500.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

What is a breeze up sale? H&H explains all you need to know

Hannah Lemieux — Sat, 05 May 2018 11:05:12 +0000

With the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up and Horses In Training sales having taken place over the past couple of days (3-4 May), Horse & Hound discovers what goes on behind the scenes and what exactly happens during a breeze up sale.

With a total of 234 breeze up two-year-old horses listed in the catalogue, the horse sales in Newmarket is a busy time for many. Star Bloodstock consignor Byron Rogers explains the intricacies when preparing a horse for a breeze up, and their daily routine while at the sales.

“The breeze up sale concept started back in the 1970s in America. A saddle and tack would be put on a horse and they would do a little canter up the straight. It then came over to Europe and has been very successful,” says Byron.

He adds the general idea of a breeze up is to take a young horse and work it in gallop over two furlongs, which is considerably shorter than the minimum five-furlong distance in a race.

From this short gallop past (‘breeze up’) buyers can get a good view of which horses they like. Buyers are looking for horses that have potential to continue in training for future success on the track.

“As long as the horses are travelling well and doing everything right in the breeze, then the buyers will hopefully be buying,” adds Byron.

So what is the daily routine for the 200-plus horses during the breeze up sales?

“Before the breeze we would normally get here at 7am to check the horses’ feet, temperatures and legs for heat or other issues. Afterwards, we take them out for a 20-minute walk and then take them over to the track,” he explains.

“As the sale day nears, you may do less work [with the horses], as you have done all you need to do already — you should only need to work them over one or two furlongs. It really depends on the horse. For a smaller, lighter filly, you don’t need to do as much work as you would do with a big, strong colt.

“After, you bring them back to the stables for feeding and later check there is no dramas from the work they’ve done. The first thing you want to see is how they recover. It is important to see a horse that comes out bouncing and happy, that the work they have done was not too hard. We are trying to sell something that a trainer will want to train on with and not a used product.”

In this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (3 May 2018) we celebrate The Queen’s dedication to Royal Windsor, as the show prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Dream of buying a racehorse? Here’s what to look for

Hannah Lemieux — Fri, 04 May 2018 11:35:58 +0000

By the end of today (4 May), over 200 two-year-old horses will have gone through the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up horse sales in Newmarket.

The concept of a “breeze up” originates from the 1970s in America, when horses would be tacked up and cantered along a straight in front of potential buyers. The concept then arrived in Europe, where it has been very successful.

Plenty of bloodstock experts will be at the sales eyeing up the best horses for their racehorse owner clients, but what exactly are they looking for?

Star Bloodstock consignor Byron Rogers gives us some pointers…

“What we are looking for physically in a horse when buying is, firstly, that it’s nicely balanced — a neck that runs into a lovely shoulder. A shoulder that sits back well and a neck with plenty of reach to the head,” he says.

“You want a good length from his shoulder to elbow, which is important when it comes to his stride length. And also a long leg down to the knee, followed by a short cannon bone.”

However, most importantly, Byron adds: “We want to see plenty of depth from the withers down to the girth. This means there is plenty of room for the lungs. It is good to see that the withers are set back and he has a lovely short back to the point of his hip.

“The thigh muscle and gaskin are also important and we look for a lot of strength here because that’s the muscle that brings the horse’s leg underneath them — ultimately where their stride length comes from.

He concludes: “Finally, you are look that he has an alert eye and is a good-looking horse. He also isn’t too wide across his chest and his knees are sharp and clean.”

In this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (3 May 2018) we celebrate The Queen’s dedication to Royal Windsor, as the show prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Mare sells for record £6.3million at Tattersalls auction

Lucy Elder — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 13:22:08 +0000

A four-year-old thoroughbred filly became the highest-priced horse ever sold at a European auction after changing hands for 6 million guineas (£6.3million).

Double group one winner Marsha was bought by Coolmore’s MV Magnier for a new partnership at Tattersalls December Mare Sale on Tuesday (5 December).

The racehorse attracted interested from Japan, Qatar, South Africa and the US.

(Image credit: Tattersalls)

Ed Dunlop, who was sat with Gaynor Rupert, and David Redvers were involved in the early stages, but gave way to MV Magnier for Coolmore and John Gosden on behalf of Godolphin.

The bidding turned into a head-to-head battle between the two racing powerhouses after Mr Gosden bid 4 million guineas.

Mr Magnier jumped back in to take the price to 5 million, with the pace picking up again until the price reached its final total.

The hammer fell on Mr Magnier’s 6 million bid to secure the star mare.

Watch the full video of Marsha’s sale below…

“She really is something special,” said Mr Magnier. “Sir Mark [Prescott, the filly’s trainer] has done a great job with her, she was very fast and the lads were very keen to have her.”

He added she will go to stud and will be covered by champion sire Galileo.

Dan Downie, of former owners Elite Racing Club, said the funds will go towards the running of the club.

“It is exciting, and it is a wonderful for Elite,” he added.

“We did have a price at which we would have taken her home, but we did think it was going to be unlikely.

“She has been wonderful and always takes everything in her stride.”

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The filly, by Acclamation, won this year’s Nunthorpe Stakes at York and last year’s Prix de l’Abbaye.

She was first past the post in seven out of her 18 starts and has notched up £650,114 in earnings over her three-year racing career.

Ten lots broke the million guineas barrier at yesterday’s sale.

These included Zhukova, who was bought by Anthony Stroud for Godolphin for 3.6 million guineas, and Quiet Reflection, who was purchased by Tom Goff for 2.1 million guineas on behalf of Mr Magnier.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Most expensive yearling in the world sells for £4m

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 06:09:40 +0000

The first foal out of champion racing mare Dank has become the most expensive yearling sold in the world this year.

The filly, by Galileo, was snapped up by John Gosden on behalf of Godolphin for 4,000,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October yearling sale on Thursday (5 October).

The sale price makes her the second-highest priced yearling ever sold in Europe and the sixth to go for 4,000,000 guineas or more at Tattersalls.

Lot 418 Gloam (IRE) B.F. by Galileo (IRE) x Dank (GB) 4,000,000Consignor: Norris Bloodstock — Purchaser: GodolphinTattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 105/10/17 (Image credit: Laura Green)

Lot 418, “Gloam”, was bred by James Wigan out of his champion mare Dank, whose wins included the Grade 1 Beverly D stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

“She is a beautiful filly,” Mr Wigan said. “She has been from the start. I am delighted where she has gone.

“As she was so lovely, from the beginning we decided to sell her as a yearling because you are limited to how much they can ever make if you sell as a foal.

“Dank has had another filly by Galileo this spring and we also wanted to make sure that she arrived fit and healthy before selling Gloam. This spring foal will not be sold!”

Trainer Mr Gosden said: “She is from a proper owner-breeder and was clearly an obvious one to go for, and obviously lots of people wanted her: fillies do have both racing and breeding options.

“She is an outstanding filly and to produce one like her – particularly a first foal – is an incredible achievement, it is not easy to do.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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Bidders frustrated in their efforts to buy the yearling included MV Magnier, David Redvers and Kerri Radcliff.

Other high-value sales on the day included five million-guinea horses, taking the total for the sale to 17. The sale turnover was an “unprecedented” 102,290,000 guineas, up 16% on last year’s record.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

William Fox-Pitt scores first wins since accident with Tattersalls double

Pippa Roome — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 09:35:10 +0000

William Fox-Pitt scored a double win at Tattersalls over the weekend (4-5 June), his first three-day event since his serious accident last autumn.

William’s victory in the young horse CCI* was his first win since the fall and just the confidence boost he needed ahead of taking Chilli Morning to Bramham this weekend, a serious trial for the British team for the Rio Olympics.

“I’ve been eventing for 33 years, but my emotions have changed since my accident,” said William, who was visibly moved by this success. “That’s fine, I just have to recognise that things are a bit different now. I’m lucky to be here and I’m so pleased for my team that I won here as they really had their work cut out over the winter and this result is down to them.”

The Irish three-day event has always been a lucky venue for William, whose win in the CCI2* was his 10th victory here. In 2011, he made history as the first person to win three CCI classes in one day when he achieved this feat at Tattersalls, taking the CCI*, CCI2* and CCI3*. Bay My Hero also holds a special place in the event’s record books because he has won all three CCI classes.

On this occasion William won the Eventing Ireland CCI2* riding Catherine Witt’s Secret Night, an 11-year-old by Sunny Boy. He led from the front and finished on his dressage score of 39.7.

In the Cooley Farm CCIYH*, William added just one showjumping time-fault to his first-phase score of 35.6 to win on Jennifer Dowling’s Little Fire. He moved up from second after dressage when Jonelle Price withdrew first-phase leader OBOS Impressive before the cross-country.

William Fox-Pitt’s 10 wins at Tattersalls Horse Trials

2016 — CCIYH*, Jennifer Dowling’s Little Fire

2016 — CCI2*, Catherine Witt’s Secret Night

2015 — CCI*, Catherine Witt’s The Soapdodger

2015 — CCI2*, Fox-Pitt Eventing Partnership’s Ramdam De Mons

2012 — CCI3*, Catherine Witt’s Bay My Hero

2011 — CCI*, Lady Best and Sylvia Harley’s Lady Voltaire

2011 — CCI2*, Catherine Witt’s Bay My Hero

2011 — CCI3*, Fox-Pitt Eventing Partnership’s Oslo

2010 — CCI*, Catherine Witt’s Bay My Hero

2007 — CCI2*, Lady Lindy Best, Sylvia Harley and Jeremy Hackett’s Trinity Hill (later owned and competed by Oliver Smith)

Advanced event horse put down after breaking leg at Tattersalls

Pippa Roome — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 11:16:04 +0000

Sam Griffiths’ advanced ride Favorit Z was put down after he broke a leg on the cross-country while competing in The Irish Field CCI3* at Horse Sport Ireland Tattersalls on Saturday (30 May).

Sue Brendish’s 10-year-old, by the thoroughbred Favoritas, led the dressage on a score of 36.1. But on cross-country day he had a run-out at the corner in the water at fence 9 and then broke a leg three fences later at the trakehner on the mound and had to be put down

“Today was a very sad day for us all, our beautiful Frodo (Favorit Z) broke his leg on the cross-country at Tattersalls and had to be put to sleep,” said Sam in a statement.

“We are all devastated. He was the most exceptional horse — incredibly talented, stunningly beautiful and above all the nicest person, so gentle and kind. Today we lost a dear friend and we are left with a huge hole in our hearts.”

Sam was not seriously injured in the accident.

Belgian-bred Favorit Z was out of a mare called Galve Z, by Gotspe Z. He started his eventing career with Belgian rider Constantin van Rijckevorsel in 2010. He completed one event with Constantin that autumn, plus one with another Belgian rider, Marc Laffineuse. He then competed throughout 2011 with Constantin.

After Favorit Z had contested two events with Constantin in 2012 Sam took over the ride. The horse first started to show his real potential in 2013, when he won two intermediates at Aston-le-Walls (4) and Gatcombe (2) and finished eighth in the autumn CCI2* at Osberton.

Last year Favorit Z had an open intermediate win, at Aston-le-Walls (2) in May, and he also finished fifth in the eight- and nine-year-old CIC3* at Blenheim in September.

Tattersalls was Favorit Z’s fifth event in 2015. His season highlight so far was a win in the advanced intermediate at Bicton Arena (1) in April.

For full Tattersalls report don’t miss this week’s issue of H&H, out Thursday 4 June.

Filly sells for highest price in British auction history

Amy Mathieson — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 10:28:55 +0000

Racehorse Just The Judge (pictured) has sold for 4.5m guineas — becoming the highest priced filly in British auction history.

The Irish 1,000 Guineas winner sold to Sheikh Fahad and the China Horse Club for 4,500,000 guineas at Tattersalls yesterday (Tuesday 2 December).

By Lawman and out of the Rainbow Quest mare Faraday Light, Just The Judge has won five times from 14 starts. She has been ridden in the past 11 races by Jamie Spencer, and also won won the Grade One EP Taylor Stakes at Woodbine, Canada, in October.

Just The Judge was the first Classic-winning filly to be offered at Tattersalls in the past two decades.

The four-year-old was bought by her part owner Sheikh Fahad for 4.5m, buying out the Sangster family, his previous partner, and then gaining a new one in The China Horse Club.

Mary Hambro put in an opening bid of 500,000 guineas, before Sheikh Fahad and Hugo Lascelles became involved. James Delahooke, with Barry Weisbord on the phone, then began bidding, but Sheikh Fahad stood firm going to 4.5m

“This is a new, one-off tie-up with The China Horse Club,” said David Redvers, Sheikh Fahad’s racing manager.

“This has allowed us to race another year with her and keep her — as she was our first Classic winner, we were not going to give her up easily. This fits the Club’s aims too.

“She will come back to Tweenhills [in Gloucestershire] for a holiday and then go back to trainer Charlie Hills. She is healthy and well and running as well as ever — she won the EP Taylor only a month ago!

“We will campaign in the best races, get the best possible opportunities, and then she will retire to Tweenhills and visit the best stallions in the world.

“If anyone wanted a template for a racehorse, they just need to look at her – she is athletic and beautiful and has a fantastic temperament.”

The second day of the Tattersalls December sales saw a total of 173 lots sell for 29,188,595 guineas, at an average of 168,720 guineas and a median of 70,000 guineas.

Oliver Townend given an FEI warning

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 10:00:42 +0000

Eventer Oliver Townend was issued a verbal warning by the FEI after an incident at the CCI3* Tattersalls (30 May-1 June).

Oliver’s horse — Sandiman II — had brushed past an unsupervised child on the cross-country. The incident was inspected by the ground jury and the technical delegate, and Oliver was interviewed.

“Townend apologised unreservedly about what had happened,” said a spokesman for the FEI.

“He had seen an official signalling for him to slow down, which he had done but not quickly enough. After dismounting, he had checked up on the child to make sure she hadn’t been hurt and to apologise.

“Given the fact that he took full responsibility for the event, the rider has been issued with a recorded official verbal warning.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound on 12 June 2014

UK and Ireland to do battle at point-to-point fixture

Amy Mathieson — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:11 +0000

The UK and Ireland will go head-to-head next week in the inaugural Tattersalls Ireland International Point-to-Point Challenge.

British riders will take on an Irish team at the Louth Hunt fixture at Ratoath (24-25 May).

There will be a ladies’ challenge and a men’s. Points will be allocated according to placings and totalled to determine which country wins.

William Biddick, Alex Edwards, Mark Wall and Josh Guerriero make up the UK men’s team. The UK ladies’ team consists of Gina Andrews, Claire Hart, Jane Williams and H&H columnist Jacqueline Coward.

“It’s a great idea,” Jacqueline told H&H. “I’m sure it will be very competitive. If it goes well, it would be nice to maybe include more riders and get the Irish lot over for a rematch.”

Riders will be allocated their horses through a draw.

Roger Casey of Tattersalls Ireland said: “We had hoped for two to three UK runners, but after positive feedback, we are now hoping we could have up to 15 UK horses making the trip to Ireland.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (

Tattersalls International Horse Trials will run in 2013

Amy Mathieson — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:10:15 +0000

Despite fears Tattersalls International Horse Trials is to again run next year.

Earlier this year H&H reported the event was under threat due to lack of funding.

But last week Roger Caseymade of Tattersalls Ireland said: “We are delighted to announce that we have received the minimum level of financial support required to allow us to continue in 2013. This is thanks mainly to a commitment received from a private donor.”

However he added it was “disappointing” a “sustainable funding mechanism” could not be agreed with Horse Sport Ireland to secure the “long term future” of the event.

Tom Symonds’ diary: falling in love and Fox Rocks

Horse & Hound — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 19:24:32 +0000

It has been a week or so of catching up with the holidaying horses and more sales. The trade at the Tattersalls “Derby” Sale in Ireland was ferocious, mainly because the quality was so strong. My owner described the arduous process of finding the appropriate horse, then “falling in love” and then being outbid as heartbreaking and draining. One has to feel partly attached to the horse on which you could be about to spend a considerable amount of money trying to obtain.

When our luck wasn’t apparent early, Tennyson kept ringing in my head. While we had “loved and lost” and moved on, I reminded myself of my fortune to have someone who will entrust me with “their love”. Thankfully our jury, consisting of owner and groom, plus agent David Redvers and assistant Hannah Wall, did find one that we unanimously agreed would be suitable. Any member of the jury has a right of veto, but all things fitted, as did the price of the final bid.

Thus, with everyone happy and owner head over heels with her true love, or number one of the list we had compiled from a load of horses, we went home before I got tempted to buy any more.

I was once told that the sales are the best free education you can get. I would agree, as there is so much going on coupled with so many people to learn from. It is certainly an emotionally edifying rollercoaster, but one that climaxes in what one can only compare to the largest poker game since Casino Royale itself.

This is not an attempt to surpass Mr Fleming’s thriller, but the sales version is made far more interesting by bidding on a horse where looks, movement and the all-important but intangible attitude is judged by human instinct alone. Furthermore, even if you obtain what you think is your unicorn (fabled creature), there is still the chance to be disappointed. A “bargain buy” will only be so when you have seen your faith vindicated on the racetrack.

Time and, of course, money will tell but they can’t all be swans and one has to realistic. However, at the moment they remain untapped potential with their value being in the potential that you believe them to have. Belief goes a long way – believe me.

Soles, souls and Fox Rocks

The weekend saw me take part in a “Mud Runner” event at Eastnor Castle and, while it was tough, it was made tougher by the fact that my soles decided to leave my shoes after 3K. A further 7K without soles was painful but satisfying to complete with a 4th place. Elements of Zola Budd, I thought.

I got my soul (sic) back for “Fox Rocks”, the Ledbury hunt ball, which was the next port of call. It was an excellent event which, like all heavenly things, had no boundary or end. In fact, it even provided Grecian-style (more heathen than heavenly?) facilities to freshen up before heading home to make 8:30am Mass. This manifested itself in many naked bathers frolicking in a duck pond in the early hours.

Worryingly, hunt balls are meant for people of a certain age, but it doesn’t disqualify juvenile behaviour… now that never gets old.

Sunday saw the hurdles debut of That Was The Pension at Uttoxeter. He is a natural hurdler and very quick through the air. From the moment we schooled him you could see his aptitude for jumping. Although his chassis is not so robust, he came out of his race in good health. He ran well but got tired as he was too gassy, having not run for four years. I saw plenty to suggest that he is worth persevering with and will find him another opportunity in a couple of weeks.

So You Think retired, and a bold move in Ireland

Sadly, the multiple Group One-winning So You Think will not be seen in the field of racing combat again. His time on UK soil will be vividly remembered by his current trainer Aidan O’Brien’s humbling admittance to his mistakes in training him and his former trainer Bart Cummings’ hubristic criticism of those handling him. Antipodean sporting pride is one that runs deep and I hope that So You Think will himself embellish his own pride at stud.

As So You Think’s name is temporarily extinguished, Camelot’s name is still lighting up the racing scene. His Irish Derby triumph will be remembered for his ability to handle extreme conditions as much for it being run at 7:40pm on Saturday night. It is to their credit that Horse Racing Ireland are showing a great desire to please the masses.

The talk of making Frankel more marketable is all very well, but it is really about making the whole package more accessible. Racing For Change is doing its very best to do this, but by moving a race as prestigious as the Irish Derby to a better time for public appreciation shows radical audacity in abundance. Criticised they may have been but they are trying their damndest to broaden racing’s sphere of influence. Come September, if Camelot does triumph in the St Leger at Doncaster then I hope he may have made the headline in papers other than the Racing Post.

This is no criticism of my daily must-read but a want to see a superstar (I’ll let you judge the quality of the current crop of three-year-olds) appreciated by all. Some may even find it more exhilarating than page three of The Sun… But I’ll let Mr Murdoch be the judge/control of that.

Future of Tattersalls International Horse Trials in doubt

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:37:19 +0000

Tattersalls International Horse Trials is in financial trouble.

The organisers say it may not run next year unless it can gain additional funding from Horse Sport Ireland (HSI).

“Attracting outside funding has been difficult from the outset – and even more so in the current economic climate,” said Roger Casey, finance director of Tattersalls Ireland.

“Yet again in 2012, we found ourselves committing to the event without any reciprocal commitment from Horse Sport Ireland. “

Tattersalls Ireland, which has sponsored the event for seven years, needs a “guaranteed funding plan” in place by 1 October, said Mr Casey.

“If we are unable to achieve this, we will regrettably be forced into a position where we are unable to host the 2013 event,” he said.

The loss of Ireland’s premier event would leave it with just one CCI*** – Ballindenisk.

Eventing Ireland’s Georgia Stubington told H&H: “It [Tattersalls] is obviously a terribly important event in the calendar and it would be desperate to lose it.

“But it’s early days and I’m sure everyone will do their best to keep it going.”

Damian McDonald of HSI said a meeting was due to take place next month to discuss funding of the event.

But the date to commit to contributing to Tattersalls is before HSI knows its budget.

“Tattersalls is an outstanding event and I am sure we will be in a position significantly to support it again next year,” he said.

“However, we are not in a position to give a guarantee of a set amount of funding until we receive confirmation of our own annual funding allocation.

“The real issue is that the sport horse sector is underfunded,” he added.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (28 June 2012)

Oliver Townend loses licence after admitting drink driving

Horse & Hound — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:58:17 +0000

Oliver Townend will have to be driven to Tattersalls International Horse Trials, near Dublin (31 May-3 June) – after losing his licence for drink driving.

The 29-year-old – who is taking six horses, including Armada and ODT Sonas Rovatio, to the Irish three-day event – admitted drink-driving last week.

He was pulled over by police while driving excessively fast in his Mercedes SLK300 on 3 May.

He was found to have 61 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath when stopped in Dudleston Heath, Shrops – almost twice the legal limit.

Oliver, from Ellesmere, Shrops, admitted drink driving at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court on Monday, 21 May.

JPs imposed a two-year driving ban and ordered him to pay £110 fine, £85 costs and £15 victim charge.

Oliver said he had “made a mistake”.

Tattersalls Ireland managing director George Mernagh dies

Horse & Hound — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:18:48 +0000

George Mernagh, the managing director of Tattersalls Ireland and former jump jockey, has died aged 56.

Mr Mernagh, from Castledockrell, Co Wexford, joined Tattersalls Ireland in 1989 and was appointed to the board in 1999, before becoming manager director in 2007.

He was stable jockey to John Webber for five years and had wins including Knock Hill in the 1988 Midlands National.

He was also a senior judge of hunters and fundamental in the creation of Tattersalls International Horse Trials, Ireland’s premier three-day-event.

Mr Mernagh died on Friday 22 July, from cancer. The offices of Tattersalls Ireland will be closed today (Monday 25 July) for his funeral in Castledockrell.

Eventing’s FEI World Cup may lose major sponsor

Horse & Hound — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:51:40 +0000

Events are preparing to fund the 2011 FEI World Cup Eventing series themselves after rumours that HSBC will no longer sponsor the £113,000-prize pot competition, won by Michael Jung (pictured) this year.

HSBC has been international eventing’s biggest sponsor since 2008, backing the World Cup, Eventing Classics and the world rankings.

The bank could not be contacted, but FEI spokesman Grania Willis said: “The FEI and HSBC are currently in positive discussions.”

But Ireland’s Tattersalls and Derbyshire’s Chatsworth Horse Trials both confirmed they were told sponsorship could be dropped and offered new self-funding arrangements for 2011.

Chatsworth has agreed, but Tattersalls said it could not afford to do so.

Tattersalls managing director George Mernagh said: “We have had some hard decisions to make on hearing the FEI [may have] lost the prestigious HSBC sponsorships of the World Cup class.”

A spokesman confirmed Tattersalls will still run a CIC*** class, but it would not be a World Cup qualifier. It will introduce a CCI*** class as well next year.

Tissie Reason, event director of Chatsworth International Horse Trials, said it would go ahead with its World Cup class.

“We were asked to consider running the class without sponsorship and helping to fund the final prize,” said Mrs Reason. “It’s a very different way of managing things.”

She was unable to say how much the new arrangements would cost the horse trials, but said it hoped to find new sponsors.

So far, 10 of last year’s 13 World Cup events have agreed to continue to stage the series.

Tattersalls, Kallispell, Montana in the US and Mansfield in Canada have pulled out.

Mrs Reason said she understood that no final would be held, but the World Cup winner would now be decided on points accrued across the series. The FEI has not confirmed this.

The FEI website states that the prize-money to the winner of the 2011 competition will be £25,300, down from £31,700 this year.

HSBC will continue to sponsor the Eventing Classics prize.

Former director of Burghley Horse Trials Bill Henson has accused British Eventing’s (BE) chairman Alexandra Fox of causing the Burghley Estate to charge its long-standing contract with BE.

But Mrs Fox claims the event just wants to make money.

From 2011, BE will no longer run Burghley and may lose some £200,000 income.

In a letter to Horse & Hound, Mr Henson said Burghley’s decision to take over the running of the event came about when Mrs Fox was appointed chairman of BE and demanded that “BE should increase more direct control over such a major provider of its funds”.

He said that she proposed “a new agreement between BE and the [Burghley] Estate and a new event committee, with BE providing increased involvement with the financial management”.

This, he believes, left Burghley with “little option other than to give notice to terminate an agreement that had worked to the benefit of both parties for the best part of 50 years”.

Mrs Fox told H&H: “After the issue with Tweseldown [where there was no formal agreement, which led to disputes between BE and Tweseldown’s director over running unaffiliated competitions and costs], our auditors advised us that we should review the terms of our governance with Burghley.

“Burghley has terminated the contract because it wants to make more money.”

This article was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound, 16 December 2010

Toby Coles’ diary: Tattersalls or the Antarctic?

Horse & Hound — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:18:21 +0000

Last Wednesday had started in a decent fashion as we reminisced about Main Beach’s, decent debut run at Lingfield the previous day. However, we were brought swiftly back to reality by the confirmation that Dear Maurice (pictured) had sustained a fracture on his last start.

Under an ultrasound scan it was clear that there was both some old damage and new damage. He, therefore, will be sent to my parents’ home to keep Littlemisssunshine company until it is time for her to be covered and for him to return to training.

On Wednesday evening I went for dinner with a foreign owner of mine in Newmarket. While discussing the Maginot Line and the Treaty of Versailles, we had a fun evening and I was rather late getting into my nest.

Why didn’t Charlie’s Boy run better?

Thursday saw what has been common of late — an ungodly early start to prepare for Charlie’s Boy’s debut run at Uttoxeter in the last race.

After riding four lots, Sammy and I departed for the racecourse. On arrival it was clear that the weather had changed. There was a biting northerly wind and most of the National Hunt crowd were buried beneath a sea of tweed and fur. Thankfully, I had rather a large amount of the first!

Charlie’s Boy’s owner, Mrs Hamilton, had come in force with her family and a friend to watch jockey Dominic Elsworth strut his stuff. Unfortunately, Charlie’s Boy did not run as expected and was a tailed-off last. I am still at a loss as to why this was as at home he can gallop with Main Beach, who had two days prior run a very close fourth to what looks to be a superstar in the making — Roger Charlton’s Keys.

After a little scuffle with the vets at Uttoxeter I decided to get Charlie’s Boy home so that he could be checked out on his return. Fortunately, and unfortunately, there seems to be nothing wrong. Fortunate that nothing is wrong but unfortunate that, as yet, I can find no reason for his poor run.

Friday saw Mrs Hamilton once again travel the length and breadth of the country, this time to see her beloved Melody Belle being galloped with an endoscope down her throat. The news was somewhat better than the day before and the filly has no problems. She will be given a short break before returning for a late spring campaign.

Lycidas gets above himself

My German owner appeared on Saturday morning to see his Lycidas be ridden for the third time. It was a somewhat amusing experience as Lycidas is not your usual yearling. He has the size and strength of most two-year-olds and knows it! I hope that his owner was reasonably impressed by his steed; however, if he were not, he is not the type of person to be diplomatic and I am sure would have let me know.

Ed Walker, a good friend, who has just joined the training ranks, had the dream start to his career on Saturday afternoon. Riggins, under William Buick, won the Listed race at Kempton as Ed’s very first runner.

My staff [Sammy and Emily] had the weekend off, so I was on my own when the bad weather struck on Sunday. The afternoon was spent perusing the fillies and mares at Tattersalls prior to the sales beginning on Monday. The sale ground would not have been out of place in Scott’s great trip to the Antarctic. I must have been wearing at least 14 layers and still felt as though I had been chilled to the bone.

Freezing pipes and a new acquisition

Monday was quite a busy day, with Cotton King returning for a winter campaign on the all-weather and keeping my finger on the pulse at the sales. Newmarket had been frozen over night, but not as badly as my parents’ home in Leicestershire where Littlemisssunshine’s water had to be filled from the bathroom upstairs as the pipes had frozen both outside and downstairs in the house!

A friend of mine called in a favour in the evening as he had just bought a mare for his old headmaster and needed somewhere to stable it until the snow subsides in the Borders of Scotland and the horse can go to its new home.

I also received a telephone call at 10.45pm at night. It’s rare that I answer the telephone this late, but it was lucky I did.

“Toby, I think I might have just done something quite stupid. I have just bought a filly,” the voice said.

Another friend of mine had just bought a three-year-old Azamour filly and needed a trainer. Without hesitation I offered my services and picked said beastie up from the sales at 4.35am this morning. While walking through the town with this three-year-old filly, all dressed in fluorescence, those at the gates at Tattersalls must have thought that I was trying to steal her. However, they duly let me past when I showed the appropriate paperwork.

Tattersalls to host its first elite eventing sale

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:01:53 +0000

Event riders and breeders in Ireland are looking forward to a new sale of event horses, to be held this autumn.

The Tattersalls Ireland Elite Event Horse Sale will be held at Ratoath — the venue of the Tattersalls Ireland International Horse Trials — on 12 September — and is the first of its kind to be staged in the country.

Tattersalls Ireland managing director George Mernagh said: “The sale will feature pre-selected elite event horses as well as an open section of proven and potential event horses which should appeal to a wide cross-section of buyers.

“There has always been crossover between the thoroughbred and general equestrian world in Ireland and the Elite Event Horse Sale should appeal to our existing client base at the same time as bringing a potentially new audience.”

The sale will be open to 150 proven and potential event horses of all ages and the selection team will decide which horses qualify for the 30-strong “elite” horse section. Horses will undergo a stringent screening process to ensure they perform and vet well.

“It’s a great initiative — there is no outlet for elite horses in the country currently,” said breeder Carol Gee from Fernhill Sport Horses in Kilkenny.

“It will be very interesting to see what the quality of stock is like. I hope breeders and sellers will save something nice to sell — I’ll certainly be entering one or two horses. I hope it will attract more overseas buyers.”

Irish event rider Mark Kyle added: ‘It’s a great idea and will be a good showcase for Irish horses, I expect it will get a good response. It will be interesting to see the type of horses that are for sale.”

For more information visit: www.tattersalls.ie

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (8 July, 2010)

Auctioneers Tattersalls sues buyer for more than £88,000

Horse & Hound — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:10:54 +0000

Auctioneers Tattersalls are headed for a High Court showdown after accusing a bidder of failing to pay for a horse.

The hammer fell on Owen O’Brien’s successful bid for a horse at Tattersalls December sales, but he has allegedly failed to pay for his purchase, according to a High Court writ.

Now Tattersalls, the historic auction house dating back to 1766, is suing Mr O’Brien, of 3 Warwick Drive, Ealing, for £88,285.50, as well as interest amounting to £43.54, and continuing interest of £43.54 a day.

Tattersalls offers more than 5,000 thoroughbreds for sale at Park Paddocks in Newmarket each year in nine different sales.

Last December, 1,399 lots out of 1,780 forward were sold, fetching a total of more than £56 million guineas, at an average price of £40,674 guineas.

Mr O’Brien bid 73,000 guineas for lot 168 in the yearling section, for a colt by Sadler’s Wells (USA) out of Red Bloom, sent to the sale by Cheveley Park Stud.

But he has failed to pay for the bay colt whose grandsire was Northern Dancer, the writ says.

Oliver Townend wins Tattersalls’ World Cup event

Pippa Roome — Mon, 31 May 2010 16:44:11 +0000

Oliver Townend and Ashdale Cruise Master were back on form with a win in the HSBC FEI World Cup event at Tattersalls, Ireland, last weekend.

Just five weeks on from a crashing fall at Kentucky, the pair led from the start here.

“It’s what I came to do,” said Oliver, “and I now just want to put the fall behind me. He’s an unbelievable horse and is progressing all the time. I’m so grateful to the owners [Henry and Edna Harding] for giving me the ride.”

Mary King made it a one-two for Britain with second place on the white-faced chestnut Apache Sauce, while Michael Ryan was best of the home side in third on Ballylynch Adventure.

Lucy Wiegersma’s fourth place with last year’s Blenheim winner Granntevka Prince places her second in the HSBC FEI World Cup rankings after six of the 12 events this year.

Australia’s Megan Jones heads the rankings after winning the World Cup event at Kihikihi, New Zealand, and finishing second at Sydney, Australia.

Full report from Tattersalls in H&H this Thursday, 3 June.

Coloured thoroughbred horse sold at Tattersalls for the first time

Horse & Hound — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:03:39 +0000

A rare coloured thoroughbred, the first to be offered through Tattersalls in Newmarket, was sold on 16 October — but there was an additional twist before the hammer came down.

Auctioneer Philip Myerscough was taking bids from established bloodstock agents when his daughter Tara, who was working alongside him as a spotter, fell for the painted (chesnut and white) yearling filly, stepped from the podium and began bidding.

At 8,000gns Myerscough was obliged to knock the horse down to his daughter, 22, who said: “It was a spur of the moment thing. I thought she was gorgeous.

“I’m my mother’s daughter, a bit impetuous. I’m not sure what we’ll do with the filly, but we might show her, we might race her.” Her father said: “That was a completely impromptu scenario – a big surprise.”

Named Painted Angel, the yearling was sired by the ‘black overo’ stallion I Was Framed, who was bred in the USA, but now stands at Rectory Farm Stud in Sutton, Cambridgeshire.

His owner, Mette Campbell-Andenaes, who bred and sold the yearling filly, is an enthusiast for coloured thoroughbreds and believes they could be a novel and successful addition to the racing scene. She hopes Tara will race the filly to advertise the stallion’s capabilities.

I Was Framed never raced, but the filly’s dam, bay mare Angelic Dancer, won on the Flat.

Zara Phillips gets an early bath in fall at Tattersalls World Cup qualifier

Carol Phillips — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:19:31 +0000

Zara Phillips and Make Mine Music had a difference of opinion when it came to jumping into the water at Tattersalls International Horse Trials at the weekend. Zara’s stylish dismount did not save her from getting wet, but neither horse nor rider suffered any injury.

Unfortunately the extremely successful event was marred by the loss of Alberto Giugni’s ride Catherston Defender, who broke a leg and had to be put down on the cross-country course.

For a full report on all the action from the Tattersalls World Cup qualifier, don’t miss Thursday’s Horse & Hound (4 June, ’09).

Photos courtesy of Equestrian Photographic Services

Tattersalls ground team praised after event horse breaks leg

Horse & Hound — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:57:50 +0000

Organisers at the Tattersalls World Cup qualifier were praised yesterday for the fast and professional way in which they dealt with the fatal accident of Albert Giugni’s ride, Catherston Defender.

The 13-year-old gelding broke a foreleg on landing in the second part of the final water complex, and had to be put down in the water in front of a large crowd.

The bay son of Dutch Gold had been with Wiltshire-based Italian rider Alberto Giugni since the start of his career. He did not suffer long, but his sad death marred what had been, until then, a successful cross-country day.

H&H hunting and racing editor Catherine Austen was at Tattersalls, reporting on the event.

“The organisers dealt with it swiftly, promptly and in absolutely the best way,” she said. “And the Irish crowd should be commended, too, for the way in which they dealt with it — without hysteria and upset.”

One H&H forum user, who was at the scene when Catherston Defender fell, added: “All I can say is the ground team and vets/horse ambulance were fantastic, and it was dealt with very smoothly and efficiently.”

The split-level water had already caused the fall of Badminton winner Oliver Townend from his ride Golden Hue, and afterwards, the remaining riders demanded it was withdrawn from the course.

For a full report from Tattersalls, don’t forget to buy H&H this Thursday (4 June).

Tattersalls looks set to be an Irish record-breaker

Charlotte White — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:58:00 +0000

Tattersalls International three-day event (28-31 May) looks set to welcome a record number of Olympic medallists to the competition in Co Meath, Ireland.

Visitors will have the opportunity to watch no less than 8 Olympic medallists compete.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has confirmed that Mark Todd, Andrew Nicholson. Jeanette Brakewell, Pippa Funnell, Mary King, William Fox-Pitt and Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks have all applied to take part.

HSI chairman Joe Walsh said he believed that it was a record for an Irish event.

He said: “It’s extraordinary that an event in Ireland has reached a level where Olympic medallists, who between them have won 18 medals, would come to compete.”

Winner of this year’s Badminton Oli Townend and World Champion Zara Phillips are also due to ride, added Mr Walsh.

The event, which features Ireland’s HSBC Eventing World Cup qualifier, will have benefited from the cancellation of the UK’s qualifier at Chatsworth Horse Trials on17 May because of wet weather.

Ireland’s Tattersalls Horse Trials to run under-25 CCI** this year

Pippa Roome — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:34:25 +0000

Tattersalls Horse Trials, Ireland, will host an under-25 CCI** this year rather than the young rider CCI** it held in 2008.

Organisers and officials hope the new higher age limit will increase the number of entries in this class — last year’s young rider CCI** only had five starters — and the level of competition.

Entries will now be restricted to riders who have their 19th birthday in 2009 to those who have their 24th birthday in 2009, whereas the upper age limit in the old young rider class was riders in the year of their 21st birthday.

Horse Sport Ireland’s (HSI) junior and young rider coach, Cmdt Brian McSweeney, said: “The major benefit I see from my position as young rider coach is that it will greatly increase the competitiveness of the class, and make our riders up their game a little bit.

“It will also attract overseas riders who will be looking for a good two-star event to go to if they are planning, say, to compete at Bramham a fortnight later. But I do hope we’ll get an Irish winner.”

Last year’s young rider CCI** was won by British eventer Paul Whitehead, with Irish riders second and third.

The managing director of Tattersalls, George Mernagh, said: “This is the only class that there is a change to this year, and we believe that by making it an under-25 class it will attract more riders.”

Tattersalls runs from 28 to 31 May this year.

Tattersalls’ website

Racehorse makes history as first to sell over internet

Horse & Hound — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:32:54 +0000

A two-year-old thoroughbred filly, who finished last in her only race, has made auction-ring history by becoming the first horse in Europe to sell via a computer link. Her buyer was sitting at home in Sweden.

Offered at Tattersalls’ horses-in-training sale in Newmarket on Wednesday, 29 October, Rebetica went into the ring late in the evening when only a handful of buyers were present.

A computer screen next to the auctioneer’s rostrum flashed up an offer of 800guineas and, when no other bids were taken, the hammer came down.

The buyer proved to be Karin Gajda Lindberger, an amateur trainer based in Stockholm.

Online bidding — which enables buyers to make offers from anywhere in the world via a computer and broadband internet feed — was introduced at Tattersalls in early October.

Tattersalls marketing manager Jason Singh said: “There has been a consistent stream of bids using the system and it was only a matter of time before one was successful.”

Rebetica was owned and bred by Earl Cadogan and trained by Henry Candy. She trailed a field of nine runners on her only racecourse appearance at Goodwood in September, but her name will now be synonymous with trailblazing — in bloodstock cyberspace, at least.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (13 November, ’08)

Tattersalls Ireland/Ward Union showing results, 26-27 July

Horse & Hound — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:41:45 +0000

TATTERSALLS IRELAND/WARD UNION, Meath, 26-27 July

Amateur WH (G Mernagh).— 1, J Bannon’s Remax Royal Touch; 2, E Holden’s Maximus Orielius; 3, A Dwyer’s Tailor Made. WH HOYS.— 1, J Quirke’s Rocket Cruise; 2, Lady Perdita Blackwood’s Steeple Jack; 3, S Finlay’s Spruce Goose. riding horse (C Gilna, A Pim) lge.— 1, S McCorry’s Watt A Star; 2, S Tschoerner & B Killilea’s Landanos Rolling Clover; 3, H Flanagan’s Beamish III. coloured exc 153cm.— 1 & res, A Minnis’ Mossvale Razzmatazz; 2 & ch, S Harty’s Rainbow Jacket; 3, P Aspell’s Cut Above. 158cm.— 1, D Vallely’s Little Miss Lucy; 2, J Wragg’s Little Tinker; 3, C McDowell’s Splash Out. RoR (B Millington, P Nicholson).— 1, Irish Horse Welfare Trust’s Moscow Flyer; 2, P Gaines’ Blind Blake; 3, J Lamb’s Murray Lamb. ridden hunter.— 1, V Breen’s Banglestown Imp; 2, H Nish’s Kilimanjaro; 3, O McKeever’s Windstorm. amateur hunter.— 1, C McGimpsey’s Teddy Boy II; 2, D & C Kirkpatrick’s Rewood Oak; 3, S Anderson’s Golden Graduate. ladies’.— 1, A Farley’s Cairnside Debonair; 2, P Gaines’ Blind Blake; 3, H Flanagan’s Beamish III. 4-y-o (I Mckie, P Hobbs).— 1, D Tierney’s Bloomfield Ryan; 2, W Dunne’s Cill Dara; 3, J Lynch’s Coide King. HOYS hunter, lwt.— 1 & ch, J Hepburn’s Corrilea’s Imp; 2, M Lewis & J Ryan’s Lorenzo; 3, D Tierney & J Bradbury’s Giorgio Bay. mwt.— 1, C McGimpsey’s Teddy Boy II; 2, G Smith’s Millbank Classic; 3, A Farley’s Cairnside Debonair. hwt.— 1 & res, R McLoughlin’s Darragh Classic Prince; 2, J Bradbury’s Clohamon Bay; 3, S Finlay’s Spruce Goose. y’stk (K Parkhill) y’ling.— 1, R McCombe’s Macks Forever; 2, M King’s Chocolate Samson; 3, S Collins’ Ballinabarney Somerton. 2-y-o filly/geld.— 1, A Irwin’s Vecta Longtime; 2, J O’ Dowd’s Lim Lady; 3, L Kennedy’s Pembrook Life On Mars. 3-y-o do.— 1 & ch, D Gibson’s Hidden Talent; 2 & res, K Murphy’s BLM Lucy Lux; 3, Mrs P R Bennett. Irish draught (B Millington) mare.— 1, C Giles-Lee’s Island Supreme; 2, S Brieus’s Dreamtime Lucy; 3, L Snow’s Grey Diamond Dawn. cob, lwt.— 1 & 2, B Bourns’ Seriously Cool & Pink Surprise; 3, J Slattery’s Mister Darby. hwt.— 1, B Bourns’ Rock On Robbie; 2, M Rooney’s Sargent Major; 3, A Farley’s George Gossip. small hunter.— 1, Y Pearson’s Kilpatrick Lord; 2, J Kennedy’s Sir Amadeus; 3, C Bradbury’s Luciano.

Tattersalls International Horse Trials results, 29 May – 1 June

Horse & Hound — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:09:23 +0000

TATTERSALLS INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS, Ireland, 29 May-1 June

CIC***W.— 1, Kilkishen (G Curran), IRE 45.2,8,4=57.2; 2, Lord Killinghurst (A Nicholson), NZL 42.8,2.8,12=57.6; 3, Parkmore Ed (W Fox-Pitt), GB 45.2,12.8,8=66; 4, Ensign (P Funnell), GB 41.3,12,14=67.3; 6, Sir Roselier (J Tew), GB 50,4.8,14=68.8; 7, Faere Vision (J May), GB 43.9,18,8=69.9; 9, Seacookie (W Fox-Pitt) 51.5,15.2,4=70.7; 10, Look Out (J Tew) 60.2,1.6,9=70.8. CCI**.— 1, Avebury (A Nicholson) 43.3,0,4=47.3; 2, Mirage D’Elle (P Funnell) 42.3,1.2,4=47.5; 3, Cool Mountain (W Fox-Pitt) 48.3,0,0=48.3; 6, Take It 2 The Limit (J Brakewell), GB 42.9,6.4,0=49.3; 8, L.B. (S Elliott), GB 51.5,0,0=51.5. CCIYR**.— 1, Westwinds Bravado (P Whitehead), GB 58.5,2.4,12=72.9; 2, Teldon (S Dempsey), IRE 63.3,7.2,16=86.5; 3, Sheepcote Welcome (J O’Neill), IRE 57.1,22,8=87.1. CCI*.— 1, Redesigned (P Funnell) 38.1,0,0=38.1; 2, Simon Porloe (L Wiegersma), GB 43.3,0,0=43.3; 3, Tristar II (A Nicholson) 44.1,0,0=44.1; 4, Walk The Line (W Fox-Pitt) 43.6,0,4=47.6; 5, Westwood Mariner (P Stockton), GB 45.5,0,4=49.5; 8, Explorer (M Wright), GB 49.3,0.8,0=50.1. CCIJ*.— 1, Tamino 202 (R Robinson), IRE 55,0,0=55; 2, Golden Orphan (A Donohoe), IRE 53.2,1.2,1=55.4; 3, Triviant (R Robinson) 57.1,0,0=57.1. CCNP**.— 1, Castleview Rakish Milly (D Hannigan), IRE 45.4,0,0=45.4; 2, Calvin (J O’Brien), IRE 52.1,0,4=56.1; 3, Puzzle VI (J O’Brien) 57.1,0,4=61.1; 4, Sir Harry V (E Hamilton), GB 46.8,10.4,4=61.2; 6, Moon Spinner II (D Doel), GB 50.4,11.2,4=65.6; 9, Captain Curraleas (E Hamilton) 50.7,10.8,7=68.5; 10, Leo Cavalier (A Bleekman), GB 60,8.8,0=68.8.

Charles Gordon-Watson accused of owing £2.7 million

Horse & Hound — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:06:26 +0000

Polo-playing bloodstock agent Charles Gordon-Watson is heading for a High Court showdown with auctioneers Tattersalls, who accuse him of failing to pay £2.7million for horses he has bought.

Mr Gordon-Watson was the highest bidder for three mares, thought to be in-foal, at Tattersalls’ Newmarket sale last December, according to a High Court writ. The mares were knocked down to him on behalf of his client Michael Baker for £2,751,262.50, the writ says.

Tattersalls says neither he nor Mr Baker have paid for the mares and it wants the horses back. It accuses Mr Gordon-Watson and Mr Baker of failing to return the mares, and any foals they might have had, in breach of contract.

Tattersalls says that both the bloodstock agent and his client are liable for the cost of the mares — lots 2278, 2285 and 2299 — and for the interest on the outstanding sum.

Solicitors for the auctioneers demanded the return of the three mares on 12 February this year, but the pair have failed to comply with the demand, the writ says.

Tattersalls argues that it is entitled to resell the horses, and any foals they might have had, and to recover any shortfall in the price from the two men.

Mr Gordon-Watson, who plays polo at Cirencester, is an international bloodstock agent whose clients include Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber, John Magnier and Sir Alex Ferguson.

He bought the horse Kris Kin, who won the 2003 Derby, eight Classic winners and 25 individual Group 1 winners.

A spokesman for Tattersalls said: “We are confident that the issue will be resolved, but there is not a lot more to add at this point.”

Mr Gordon-Watson declined to comment.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (27 March, ’08)

Tattersalls Ireland sue Lambourn racehorse trainer

Horse & Hound — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:23:49 +0000

Auctioneers Tattersalls Ireland have won a legal battle against Lambourn trainer Paul Blockley who failed to pay for horses he bought.

Mr Blockley, the leading all weather UK trainer of 2004 and 2005, bought 12 yearlings at Tattersalls’ September sale in Fairyhouse, Ireland, at a cost of €245,830 (£185, 408).

But although he has made five payments totalling €52,958.24, a sum of £139,060.89 remained outstanding, according to a High Court writ.

On 18 January, Tattersalls Ireland won a judgement against Mr Blockley for payment of £175,886, as well as interest of £35,735 and continuing interest of £68.58 a day.

Mr Blockley said: “I have settled some of it. The other will be settled very soon.”

Mr Blockley has had a chequered career in racing. He had a few race rides and held a training licence during the 1980s and 1990s, before it was withdrawn by the Jockey Club in 1995 when he could not be traced at his yard at Malton, Yorkshire.

He moved to Belgium, but was later disqualified from racing by the authorities there for a time. Bans in Belgium also apply to racing in the UK, and while buying and selling point-to-pointers he admitted to going racing while disqualified and was banned for a further year by the Jockey Club in 2002.

Just days after regaining his licence, Brockley’s first runner Red Power won the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster. Since then he has gone on to train a number of winners in both national hunt and on the flat.

Tattersalls Ireland declined to comment to H&H.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (28 February, ’08)

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“He is standout, a lovely horse – I loved him as a youngster as a store [unbroken three-year-old],” said Anthony. “I have watched his career closely – he has only been running over two miles yet he looks a stayer. He may potentially be a Gold Cup horse, long-term.

“I can’t say what plans Paul will have for the horse and we will see how it all works out, obviously there are the Cheltenham entries and Aintree would be a consideration, but he has been bought really as a chaser of the future.”

Gordon Elliott managed to secure Pied Piper for Windgates Stud on behalf of a new syndicate for €570,000, Staffordshire Knot for €510,000, Sa Fureur for €330,000 and Doctor Elvis for €260,000.

Gordon said: “I was disappointed to lose the big horse, but that is the way it is – hopefully he will be lucky for the new owners. Pied Piper is coming back and we have got all the ones we wanted apart from Caldwell Potter.”

Simon Kerins, CEO of Tattersalls Ireland, said: “First and foremost, I extend my sincere gratitude to Andy and Gemma Brown, as well as Joey Logan, for entrusting us with their dispersal sale, it has been an honour.

“The sale has been a phenomenal success and the figures paid have been mind-blowing. We knew these horses would be in high demand given their proven level of form, and all the big players were here today.

“We look forward to watching today’s sales horses going on to achieve great things on the racecourse, and we hope to see the Browns return to the racing scene in the near future.”

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Superstar filly sells for +£5 million – and her future plans revealed

Blandford Bloodstock’s Richard Brown, Mr Donohoe and Coolmore’s MV Magnier joined the bidding war. As the sum passed 4 million guineas, Mr Donohoe and Mr Magnier, sitting alongside Yuesheng Zhang, went head to head, and the filly was knocked down to Mr Donohoe for 5.4 million guineas.

“She is a filly with speed for six furlongs but stayed a mile, so there will be a lot of options for her.”

He credited Mr Balding and his team for doing a “great job”, adding that the filly “looked very fresh”.

“She will make a lovely broodmare in time, she has the physique and the pedigree. It is a family I know well as I bought the dam for Yulong Investments last year, and she has a lovely Lope de Vega foal at foot and is in-foal to Lucky Vega,” he said.

“She will probably race for a season and then be covered, and we will probably send her to Frankel. So we will decide whether we cover on northern or southern hemisphere time, but obviously Frankel is an exceptional sire and is doing it in both hemispheres.”

Alcohol Free’s last appearance at a sales ring was in 2018, when she sold at Goffs November Foal sale for €40,000 (£34,568) to Mr Smith’s Littleton Stud.

Littleton Stud manager David Bowe, who landed the winning bid on that occasion, said the team is “delighted”.

“It is the end of a wonderful, wonderful journey we have been on, a wonderful dream,” he said.

“To end up here at Tattersalls, it is magnificent. [Auctioneer] Ollie Fowlston did a brilliant job from the rostrum and we could not have been better treated. Everyone was here to look at her.

“She walked in and looked beautiful. If it had been five years earlier with Jeff, we might not have brought her to the sale ring, but she will make a beautiful mare in time. We have enough broodmares, she was not bred by us, but it is really to do with the timescale. It is time for someone else.

“We have had so much luck… everyone involved with her, the team at home on the farm, the Caffneys whom we bought from, all her jockeys. I can’t thank everyone enough, and for everyone who put their hands up in the ring – it was lovely. Everyone has had a massive part.

“It has been emotional, I can’t believe it, it just shows that whatever sales ground you are at, we are all trying to do the same thing and it has happened to the likes of us! It is extraordinary. It just goes to show if you keep plugging away it can happen.”

He added: “Jeff was not here tonight, but it is all down to him. He let us buy her, let us all get involved in the whole dream.

“It is a beautiful end to our chapter, and we wish the new connections all the luck. We don’t buy an awful lot of horses, but we have been lucky with the ones we have.”

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Miniature iconic statue of The late Queen with mare and foal sells for six figures

Only 12 maquettes of the statue were made, and The late Queen was presented with the first.

Mr McCalmont explained there were three reasons Mr Chan wanted to buy the model. On a visit to the museum with his family this summer, he was so impressed that he wanted to support it.

He added that Mr Chan was a great admirer of The Queen, hugely respecting her devotion and love of racing and as patron of the museum. Mr Chan saw the marquette on display at the museum, and another in private ownership, while visiting Newmarket and was very taken with it.

The final reason is that on 11 September, as The Queen’s funeral cortege made its way from Balmoral to Edinburgh, it passed through Kinross. At the same time, the town’s namesake – owned by Mr Chan – was winning the Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster.

Ms Hogan added: “This is a very heart-warming story that even in death The Queen is still one of our greatest supporters.

“We would also like to thank Tattersalls for agreeing to conduct the auction and finally the Newmarket Commemoration Committee who had the foresight to arrange for the casting of the 12 maquettes as a fundraising tool for the museum.”

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14 of The Queen’shorses tobe sold this week

The royal family has about 50 horses in training, and selling some of these at the end of each season is normal, as is the fact the horses are being consigned by their trainers.

Six horses were due to go under the hammer today; two-year-olds Persian Gold, Constitution and Juryman, and three-year-olds Duty Bound, Spring Is Sprung and Tack.

Five more are to be sold tomorrow; Theme Park 2 and Just Fine, four, and three-year-olds Kiteflyer, Naval College General Idea. On Wednesday, two-year-olds Quiet Life, Love Affairs and four-year-old Tactical will be sold.

Tattersalls spokesman Jimmy George said the sales did not mean a change to the royal family’s connection with racing: “It’s nothing out of the ordinary. Every year they would sell horses,” he said.

“Every year owners sell stock. His Majesty is just doing what owners do.”

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Yearling colt bred by Lady Lloyd-Webber sells for £1.26m

Lady Lloyd-Webber of Watership Down Stud was at Tattersalls to see her colt sell, and husband Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber arrived at Newmarket just to time to catch the sale, too.

“He is a beautiful horse, hopefully he will win the Guineas. And then will carry on winning Group 1s like the rest of the family.”

Lord Lloyd-Webber, who arrived just in time to see his wife’s colt sell, said: “I walked in at the 600,000gns mark.”

So Mi Dar, a daughter of Dubawi, is a full sister to Lah Ti Dar and champion two-year-old Too Darn Hot. Lady Lloyd-Webber revealed she is “excited” as the mare is now in-foal to Lope De Vega.

This colt was purchased by Charlie Gordon-Watson on behalf of Bill Farish’s Woodford Racing, the result of a last-minute phone call from the US.

So Mi Dar has had three foals, with her oldest named Astrologia, a 2019 Galileo filly, who is yet to run. So Mi Dar is a daughter of Dar Re Mi who won six races, including the Yorkshire Oaks (Group One), the Pretty Polly Stakes (Group One) and the Dubai Sheema Classic (Group One).

Dar Re Mi is dam of four black-type runners, headed by the champion two-year-old and champion three-year-old miler Too Darn Hot, a three-time Group One winner, now a Darley sire and a full-brother to So Mi Dar.

The foundation mare Darara is dam of five black-type winners, including three Group One winners, and the family stretches to Darshaan, a champion of 1984 and winner of the Prix Jockey-Club (Group One).

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