Demand for top end bloodstock showed it is immune from the world’s financial ills as horses changed hands for an overall sum of around £55 million at a major sale.
Four-time Group 1 winning filly Alcohol Free was the star attraction at Tattersalls event on Tuesday, selling for 5,400,000 guineas – in the region of £5.6 million.
By the ring, where there was standing room only, the big names in the horse racing industry looked on with great interest as star mares went under the hammer. The book included two-time Group 1 winner Saffron Beach, plus Prix de l’Abbaye heroine The Platinum Queen.
At the end of a protracted bidding war for Alcohol Free, eventually won by BBA Ireland representing Australian-based Yulong Investments, the second highest price ever for a horse at auction in Europe was rubber-stamped.
Describing the feeling of landing the winning bid, bloodstock agent Michael Donohoe said: "It was pretty cool! But to be honest I was born in an auction ring at Goresbridge and am used to all the theatre.
“Those blue hen fillies who come off the track, they are collectors' items. 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."
The new owners have no plans to breed from her yet and intend to race her from the yard of legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse, who has a licence in partnership with Adrian Bott.
Saffron Beach will stay with Jane Chapple-Hyam to be trained for the world’s richest race, the Saudi Cup next February, after being knocked down for 3,600,000 guineas (£3.78 million) to Najd Stud.
Two-year-old filly The Platinum Queen, who won the Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc day, netted a substantial windfall for members of her Middleham Park Racing syndicate.
Major Japanese owner Katsumi Yoshida secured her for 1,200,000gns. (£1.26 million). The remarkable day saw 11 lots realise 1,000,000 guineas or more and the final total was the highest in history at the event.
