The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 has already produced some record breaking fireworks. The 4,000,000gns Frankel colt, brother to Ylang Ylang, has received praise of the hugest calibre likening him to his father, while Godolphin smashed the record European record for a Night Of Thunder colt, paying the monumental fee of 4,600,000gns.
However, success at the sales doesn’t guarantee success on the track. Sure, you can buy the best pedigrees, but it’s tough to pin a price on the racing mind of a thoroughbred. This got me thinking, how have some of the most recent expensive purchases from the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 fared in their careers?
2025
Ottoman Chief – Frankel x Innervera
Godolphin paid 2,200,000gns for Frankel colt Ottoman Chief, a half-brother to their talented Ottoman Fleet. The Frankel colt made his debut in July, but was hooded for that run and ran green to finish fifth; he hasn’t been seen since.
King’s Welcome – Wootton Basset x Time Tunnel
Godolpin also paid 1,900,000gns for King’s Welcome, who made his debut in June when a neck second at Sandown achieving an RPR of 77.
Confucius – No Nay Never x Millisle
You’d have to go down to the seventh top lot from last year’s Book 1 to find Coolmore’s involvement, and that was Confucius who made 1,700,00gns. Out of the 2019 Middle Park winner Milisle, Confucius is bred to be sharp and has demonstrated such early speed, peaking at an official rating of 102 this season but certainly an underwhelming campaign, beaten favourite three times including the Coventry Stakes.
There hasn’t been an awful amount of success for the highest lots this season, although we should judge that too harshly given many are bred to come into their own next season. One of the more notable successes from the Book was Pershaada, an 88,000gns purchase for Richard Hannon and Middleham Park who’s recouped £86,032 of that thus far, having won the Molecomb and placing in the Queen Mary Stakes.
2024
Partying – Frankel x Aljazzi
In 2024, Amo Racing paid 4,400,000gns for the Frankel filly Partying, who topped the Lot.
Partying is out of the 114-rated dual Group 2 winning mare Aljazzi. She missed all of her two-year-old campaign, and her sole racecourse start saw her finish second at Windsor in August for Kevin Phillippart De Foy, with an RPR of 75.
Poker – Wootton Basset x Park Bloom
Amo Racing also had the second top lot with Poker, hailing from the family of New Approach.
The Wootton Basset colt made his debut late last season, beaten four lengths and finished the year with a distant eight lengths second. Equipped with cheekpieces this season, he was last season finishing 15 lengths down the field over 1m7f at Deauville, rated just 79, and had finished second last in the Epsom Derby.
Star Of Hope – Dark Angel x Futoon
Godolphin’s 2,900,000gns purchase Star Of Hope is anything but that. The full-sister to Charyn was beaten nine lengths on debut in April. Appleby has already shifted her off to France, where she picked up a measly £4,347.83 for Henri-Alex Pantall at Rochefort-Sur-Loire.
Alpinara – Frankel x Alwilda
There were high hopes for Alpinara, whose sister Alpinista won the 2022 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The Frankel filly raced made a promising three year old debut in June when a three length winner at Doncaster on debut. However, she took a backwards step this week when beaten eight lengths at Kempton.
Ancient Egypt – Frankel x Atone
It was all doom and expensive gloom for Amo Racing in 2024, as 1,100,000gns Frankel colt Ancient Egypt has marked himself as a top three year old this season. A listed winner on reappearance, he was twice placed in group company earlier this year, including a head second in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris.
The winner of that race, Maltese Cross, was purchased for 350,000gns at the same sale.
2023
Galveston – Frankel x Bizzaria
In 2023, Galveston topped the lot as a 2,000,000 purchase for Coolmore. Beaten an eight length last on debut, he somewhat redeemed that figure when a winner next time out.
However, his three year old campaign saw him win just once, and his last effort saw him beaten 34 lengths at Leopardstown. He’s since been sold for 100,000 gns.
Al Misbar – Blue Point x Anna Law
By Blue Point and a half sister to Battaash, Al Misbar had the page of a sprinting star. But the 1,500,000 Godolphin purchase was gelded after his first three defeats and his record stands at 0-5, he hasn’t been seen since finishing last at Newmarket last season.
Camille Pissarro – Wootton Bassett x Entreat
Cheveley Park broodmare Entreat has produced some wonderful types such as 2020 Commonwealth Cup winner Golden Horde, but none more so than the 1,250,000gns purchase of Camille Pissarro.
The Wootton Bassett colt finished his two year old campaign with a win in the Prix Jan-Luc Lagadere, and returned a year later to win the French Derby.
A Group 1 winner at two and three, and placed in other Group contests too, the son of Wootton Basset is likely to prove a popular stallion at stud and the 1,250,000 sales tag is arguably justified as a result.
As documented, flashing the cash doesn’t equate to success. While you may need a wealth of riches behind you to acquire the best pages, the cliche you can’t judge a thoroughbred by its cover is ever present at the sales, and success with lesser funds is certainly obtainable.
Book 1 bargains
Proof that you don’t need to spend large (in the context of sales’ prices, not for us mere mortals) is horses such as Seagulls Eleven. The Galileo Gold gelding was a 50,000gns purchase at Book 1 in 2023, and has amassed £326,226 in his career including landing two Group 3 contests.
In 2024, where the top lot was a £4,400,000 purchase, Prizeland was an 80,000gns and she’s now rated 105. Not only that, but she is a two year old winner and a listed winner at three, from the family of Derby placed Hoo Ya Mal. She’s exceeded her sales tag in prize money, and her worth as a broodmare will be significantly higher.
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