Tattersalls opener posts gains

The Tattersalls October yearling auction opened its Book 1 portion Wednesday in Newmarket, England, with large across-the-board gains and high-priced purchases by longtime bidding rivals Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum and Coolmore boss John Magnier.

But it was Australian buyer Paul Makin who came away with the session-topper, a Galileo three-quarter-sister to reigning Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi who sold for $1,302,000. The bay filly is out of the unraced Darshaan mare Gwynn. In addition to Pour Moi, she also has produced Group 3 winner Gagnoa, placed in three Group 1's. The price in the local auction currency was 800,000 guineas. Ireland's Camas Park Stud was the consignor.

The first of three Book 1 sessions closed Wednesday night with 120 yearlings bringing about $29,535,870 for an average price of approximately $246,132 and a median of about $162,750. Compared with last year's opening day, which sold 146 yearlings, the gross gained 22 percent, the average price increased by 48 percent, and the median did best of all, rising by 52 percent.

The buy-back rate was 18 percent, down from 2010's figure of 24 percent.

Magnier was underbidder on the session-topper, but he did secure another yearling by Coolmore stallion Galileo when he paid 400,000 guineas, or about $651,000, for a filly out of Ionian Sea, by the recently deceased Slip Anchor. The bay filly is a three-quarter-sister to 2003 Epsom Derby runner-up The Great Gatsby, and to a pair of Group 1-placed runners, Roman Empress and Magritte. Bugley Stud consigned her.

Coolmore's purchases also included an Oasis Dream-Kassiopeia colt for about $1,139,250, a Montjeu-Dance Parade colt for about $846,300, and a Dansili-Flawly colt for about $781,200.

Maktoum accompanied his bloodstock adviser, John Ferguson, to the auction, and his purchases included a 500,000-guinea colt by his son of Galileo, stallion New Approach. The bay colt cost about $813,750, and is out of the Group-placed Barathea mare Lady Miletrian. He is a half-brother to group-placed Himalya. Lodge Park Stud in Ireland was the consignor.

The October sale's Book 1 portion was to run through Friday.