Those checking results from Tattersalls' Autumn Horses in Training Sale could be forgiven for thinking the event was taking place in New South Wales rather than Newmarket, such was the extent of Australian involvement on Oct. 29.
Antipodean investment accounted for six of the top 10 lots from the second session, a list headed by the record-breaking Delius at 1,300,000gns (US$1,781,000, 1 guinea=US$1.37). Agents Guy Mulcaster and Alastair Donald cut out the earlier running but once matters rumbled into seven-figure territory, it was between an online bidder and a huddle to the right of the rostrum comprising Johnny McKeever, Claudia Fitzgerald, bloodstock manager to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, and Hubie de Burgh.
After a long hold, the online player nudged the price to 1,250,000gns. But the 50,000gns increase was swiftly matched in the ring, with de Burgh's raise enough to bring the gavel down on the most expensive lot ever sold at the Autumn Horses in Training Sale. An enthusiastic round of applause broke out before the colt had exited the ring.
The previous record-holder was the 1,000,000gns Aljazzi, whose yearling filly by Frankel topped the recent renewal of Book 1 when Amo Racing bid a jaw-dropping 4,400,000gns for Newsells Park Stud's youngster.
The 3-year-old Delius was trained for the Coolmore partners by Jean-Claude Rouget, who saddled the son of Frankel to three victories culminating in the Prix du Lys (G3).. He was then third to Sosie in the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) and second to the same rival in the Prix Niel (G2). He was last seen finishing in mid-division in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) won by Bluestocking.
"This is a joint venture between Gai Waterhouse and her team and Sir Owen Glenn of Go Bloodstock," said de Burgh after signing the seven-figure docket. "He's had a lot of great horses, including Lady Of Camelot, who Gai trained to win last season's Golden Slipper. He wanted a Cup horse for next year, and obviously, Gai did as well.
"What can I say? He's a son of Frankel who's only raced six times but he's already run to a high rating, winning over a mile and two and a mile and a half. He's got the perfect profile for Australia. The only bad run of his life was the Arc, which was on (soft) ground he hated. It was a lot of money, but unfortunately, that's what they're costing. We could look like geniuses in a year's time, or we might not!"
Delius was a late entry into the Newmarket sale, and De Burgh explained Tuesday evening's bidding marathon was not his first attempt at trying to buy the talented youngster.
"I've been trying to buy this horse since after his first start and we couldn't, then we couldn't after his second start, either," he said. "We really wanted the horse but Jean-Claude wasn't very well and M.V. Magnier didn't want to take the horse away, it was only after the Arc when Jean-Claude was happy to let the horse go. It was hard to buy the horse on our own because it's a lot of money, so we're joint-venturing with Gai, and that gave us an opportunity to compete against the likes of Chris Waller, Ciaron Maher, and all the others. He's been on the radar a long time though, so it's nice to finally get him."
Delius was bred by David and Trish Brown of Furnace Mill Stud, which sold the colt to Magnier for 675,000gns at the December Foal Sale in 2021. His dam, Whatami, has bred five winners and three stakes scorers. His siblings include his Wolferton Stakes-winning brother Juan Elcano and the group 3-winning Nkosikazi.
Ward weighs in
Wesley Ward was not in attendance at Park Paddocks, but Ollie Sangster was on bidding duties as the leading trainer secured Coolmore's high-class 3-year-old Mountain Bear for 330,000gns. The Whisperview Trading-bred son of No Nay Never leaves Ballydoyle having won two of his 14 starts, including last year's listed Star Appeal Stakes.
Mountain Bear has already shown a liking for racing in the United States, having finished runner-up in last season's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) and third in the Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes (G1T) on his latest outing earlier in the month.
"He's been bought for Wesley," said Sangster. "The horse ran well last time at Keeneland and Wesley is looking for a nice miler who can perform at the top level. There should be a good chance the horse can pull back that price in prize money."
A total of 266 horses sold during the second session for 13,890,000 gns (US$19,029,300, 1 guinea=US$1.37), up 16% from last year. The average was 52,208 gns, with a median of 23,500gns. Twenty lots failed to sell, resulting in a 93% clearance rate.
The Autumn Horses in Training Sale continues Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. local time.
