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Record median produced for September Yearling Sale as figures rise
Spicer Thoroughbreds through bloodstock agent Alex Elliott bought the top lot at this year's Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, a colt by the Ballylinch Stud-based New Bay (Dubawi) who sold for €115,000 from the draft of Shane Power's Tradewinds Stud.
A €24,000 purchase last year as a foal, the Australia-bound colt is out of the placed mare Tobair An Sheeda (Bachelor Duke) who has already produced two winners to date including the winning filly All Lies Ahead (Make Believe).
"The sire has been very good to me, and this is my favourite horse of the sale," smiled Elliott. "His sister is by Make Believe [All Lies Ahead] and so a three-parts sister – she won a maiden this year and has bounced into the pedigree.
"I think New Bay is a superior sire and I can't get enough of him. It can be hard to get one by the sire as good looking as this horse, but they all look as though they will run through a brick wall. This is the one I wanted to buy, and I think he has a chance of being a good horse."
New Bay, who has sired eight stakes winners to date including his dual Group 1 winning daughter Saffron Beach, stood for a career high fee of €37,500 at Ballylinch Stud this year, having stood for €20,000 in 2021. The sire has had one runner in Australia so far for one winner in the Annabel Neasham-trained Funambulist.
This year's sale saw a record 70 horses sold for €50,000 or more and an outstanding clearance rate of 90 per cent to match last year's session The two days produced a median price of €26,000, a record for the September Yearling Sale and an increase of 11 per cent on 2021, while the €12,421,000 aggregate and the average of €30,075, are the second-best in the sale's history and just below 2021's records.
Six horses sold for six-figure sums, matching the number to achieve that mark in 2021, and the sale's top lot was just the third horse into the ring through Day Two's morning session.
Commenting on the conclusion of the September Yearling Sale, Simon Kerins of Tattersalls said: "This week saw the September Yearling Sale take place in Ireland for the first time in two years and the trade has been incredibly strong. Most noteworthy was the record number of horses selling for €50,000 or more and turnover that surpassed all previous sessions held in Ireland.
"We had a catalogue of quality yearlings catering for all sectors of the market and the footfall seen across the last few days has been phenomenal. We focused extra attention on welcoming buyers back to Fairyhouse and we were rewarded with the buzz that was felt around the barns and newly improved sales complex. Purchasers descended in their droves from the UK as well as a strong contingent of overseas buyers who all went to battle with a strong Irish buying bench.
"We would like to thank the vendors who supported us and purchasers, all of whom have contributed to the success of the past two days. Our thanks also go out to Irish Thoroughbred Marketing who have been exceptional to work with on the lead up to the sale and enticing customers with their excellent IRE Incentive Scheme. The sale has displayed a remarkable resilience the last two years and we look forward to moving ahead with it now and continuing to build on it year on year."