The opening day of the Autumn Sale, dedicated to horses in training on the flat and over jumps, returned a solid set of figures headed by an 88% clearance rate and average price of €34,829, up 47% from the same day last year. Turnover for the day was €5,607,500, 45% higher than in 2018.
Multiple Group winner MASTER DINO the star of the show
Offered by La Motteraye Consignment to dissolve a partnership, the outstanding hurdler MASTER DINO (lot 189), winner of the Gr.1 Prix Renaud du Vivier and Prix Cambacérès among a stellar career to date, was the subject of a fierce bidding war in which Hervé Bunel (BHB Agency) came out on top for €420,000. The son of Doctor Dino has been sidelined since making a winning chasing debut at Plumpton back in January, his sixth consecutive victory in a row.
Horse Racing Advisory head buyers leaderboard
Horse Racing Advisory secured the position of leading buyer for the day with the purchase of two lots headed by GENTLEMAN DE MEE (Wild Card, lot 225) for €280,000. The sculptural dark brown is a Saint Des Saints half-brother to the talented AS DE MEE and he has made a good career start himself, filling the runner-up spot on both his starts over hurdles to date in the care of Guillaume Macaire.
"He is a lovely big horse who looks a real chaser in the making, a staying chaser, said Charlie Swan. Hopefully he’ll do well. We’ll put him away for this year."
Next on Horse Racing Advisory’s shopping list was Daniela Mele’s CAPODANNO (Wild Card, lot 217b), who only made his racecourse debut on November 1st. He made sure it was an eye-catching one though, only falling short by a couple of lengths in a hurdle contest at Compiègne. The three-year-old son of Manduro featured high on Hubert Barbe’s wish list and the agent went to €185,000 to secure him.
"He is another lovely big horse who jumps very well, commented Charlie Swan. He is still a maiden which leaves lots of options open. He is a horse for next year, we will take him home and the boss [JP McManus] will decide."
Petit and Maxwell return to lucky well
Already lucky at the Autumn Sale last year with CAT TIGER, with whom he won the Gr.3 Prix Morgex just a few days after buying him, David Maxwell once again made his presence felt. Standing beside agent Guy Petit, the English owner and amateur rider bought STRATAGEM (lot 207b), a three-year-old gelding from Daniela Mele. Offered as a Wild Card, the son of Sunday Break was knocked down for €200,000 having won on his only outing over hurdles at Auteuil last month.
"We were very lucky with Cat Tiger last year. We won’t go to Auteuil this time around, but we think we have bought a very good horse, said Guy Petit. For me, he’s the perfect horse. We saw his race and he couldn’t have done it better. We’re delighted!”