Godolphin-consigned Tabaretta tops final day on Friday at 210,000gns

A record-breaking Tattersalls July Sale concluded at Park Paddocks in Newmarket on Friday with three-year-old gelding Tabaretta (Dubawi) topping the final session when bought by Najd Stud for 210,000gns. 

Offered by Godolphin, Tabaretta is a dual winner and being out of Devantage (Galileo) is a half-brother to Group winning filly Devant (Showcasing). 

Jimmy George of Tattersalls was bidding on behalf of the Saudi Arabia-based Najd Stud. 

"This was a bit of a stand out today," said George. "The scene in Saudi Arabia is going from strength to strength and he looks like a horse who will suit the country's racing perfectly. Najd is a regular buyer here and a great client and hopefully this gelding will go onto be successful for the stud."

George added: "Najd has been buying for many years but the racing in Saudi is expanding. The farm has been very successful with Tattersalls graduates and, like everything, it is success driven – the more winners they buy from Tattersalls, they more they come back."

At the conclusion of four days of selling, 574 lots sold for a record aggregate of 16,986,000gns. At last year's renewal 520 horses sold for 16,743,285gns. The average was down slightly from 32,199gns a year ago to 29,592gns. The median remained at 15,000gns. 

BBA Ireland was the leading buyer having spent 1,711,000gns on nine lots, while The Castlebridge Consignment was the leading vendor selling 96 horses for 3,742,000gns at an average of 38,979gns. 

At the conclusion of the 2023 Tattersalls July Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented; "To have bettered last year's wide margin record breaking Tattersalls July Sale turnover is a clear indication of the robust and vibrant market which year after year makes this fixture so popular with vendors and purchasers alike. 

"The key feature of the Tattersalls July Sale is its unique combination of quality and diversity which cannot be found anywhere else at this time of year and as ever Park Paddocks has been alive with a global melting pot of buyers from every continent in the world who have faced strong competition from British and Irish buyers, both Flat and National Hunt.

"A record 12 lots making in excess of 200,000 guineas and 35 selling for 100,000 guineas or more demonstrates the strength at the top of the market, but equally important has been the consistent demand at all levels resulting in a record-equalling median and for the fifth consecutive year the Tattersalls July Sale has achieved an enviable clearance rate above 90%."