Another day, another session of record trade at Tattersalls. Whitsbury Manor Stud presented Lot 1342, the highly touted Havana Grey filly out of Ealaan, who brought the hammer down at 200,000 guineas (US$274,000, 1 guinea=US$1.37). That price is the highest paid for a filly at Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, and matches the previous high mark set in 2016.
Another daughter of Havana Grey has proved herself one of the season's best juveniles, with Arabian Dusk landing the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (G2) before running third in the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1). The group 1-placed filly was pinhooked as a yearling by Norman Williamson then sold at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale by Katie Walsh, and that pair played a leading role in the bidding Oct. 17. They were joined by agent Anthony Stroud, who signed for Arabian Dusk on behalf of Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa at 525,000 guineas back in April.
However, those interested parties ultimately featured as also-rans after Alex Elliott, standing in the second row of the bidders' area opposite the rostrum, threw in the decisive 20,000-guinea increase that brought matters to a conclusion at 200,000 guineas. The session topper was Elliott's 67th purchase at this year's October Yearling Sale.
"She's been bought for Amo Racing and is going to be trained by George Boughey," said Elliott. "As the price suggests, she was the standout horse in Book 3 based on what I found. It's nice to hear Norman Williamson thinks the same thing. He said that at the same stage this filly is better than Arabian Dusk was. Now at this stage there's still a long way to go, but she was the main target today, so I'm very happy.
"I knew the breeze-up men would be there to a certain level, and I knew Anthony Stroud, who bought Arabian Dusk at the breeze-ups, would be involved too. I thought Anthony would be there at the end, and he was down the back stairs with the Crisford crew. That was a bang on where I thought the price would be."
Ed Harper of Whitsbury Manor Stud, who bred and consigned the filly, said: "This is the last 'lower-priced' crop by Havana Grey so there are some mixed pedigrees out there, as you would expect, and we wanted to make sure he had a real proper one.
"We always liked her at home, but she is a late April foal and she has done so well, we did not expect her to do as well as she has and she did not look like a late-season foal. Alex and Amo and the team have been big supporters of the sire from early on—they just want to buy the best, and we brought her here hoping she was going to be the best in the sale."
The filly is a sibling to three winners, while her dam is out of 2002 Nell Gwyn Stakes (G3) scorer Misterah. Her price matched that achieved by Creek Harbour, a seven-time winner by Kodiac who was knocked down to Charlie Gordon-Watson Bloodstock eight years ago.
Williamson was able to atone for his earlier reversal when successfully bidding 90,000 guineas for Daymark Stud's Havana Grey colt out of Kalfu later in the session. "I sold the Havana Grey filly (Arabian Dusk) at this year's Craven Sale with Katie," said the man from Oak Tree Farm. "The sire is doing fantastic and I thought this fella was the best colt here today. He has great balance and I'm very pleased to get him. Let's hope he's lucky."
Expanding on his October Yearling Sale activities, Williamson added: "It has been very tough but I've bought one in Book 1, one in Book 2, and now one in Book 3. It's great to see such good trade. There's been a great bunch of horses here."
Although the market was not quite so buoyant as throughout bumper editions of Books 1 and 2, trade remained perfectly solid for the level. At 6,451,000 guineas, (US$8,837,870) turnover was down just 1% year-on-year, despite a smaller catalog meaning 20 fewer lots changed hands. The average price was up 7% at 26,330 guineas (US$36,072), while the median was down five points at 20,000 guineas (US$27,400). The clearance rate was 88% as 245 yearlings sold from 278 offered.
Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continues Oct. 18, with Book 4 due to follow immediately after during the evening session.
