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Record aggregate, average and median recorded in Newmarket.
An extraordinary renewal of the Tattersalls July Sale concluded in Newmarket on Friday evening with unprecedented figures for all key indicators, sale turnover exceeding 16,000,000gns for the first time and a record average and median. The third and final day of the sale saw continued strength and depth to trade with seven lots selling for 100,000gns or more and a 96% clearance rate.
The most expensive lot to sell on Friday was Crystal Estrella (Iffraaj) who made 275,000gns when bought by Team Valor International. Sold by Sir Michael Stoute's Freemason Lodge Stables, the filly has raced three times. She finished fourth behind Emily Upjohn (Sea The Stars) at Sandown on her second start and seasonal debut at Sandown in April. The filly then broke her maiden – pulling four and a quarter lengths clear of her rivals - at Goodwood over 1m2f on May 20.
Barry Irwin of Team Valor said: "I like the way she finishes her races out, especially in the last 150 metres or so. She looks like she is a solid middle-distance filly on the way up. I like her pedigree, she looks as though she is a big good-looking filly who will improve this year and especially next year.
"She has a half-brother who won four in a row, including two Listed races in Australia. He could possibly win a Group race and that will help a little bit. The second dam was very good. I am going to send her back to Sir Michael and think about what I want to do. He knows her and I will talk to him, I have not done so yet. It is hard to find fillies like her and I am happy to have her."
210,000 Guineas for Royal Ascot Winner Latin Lover
This year's Royal Ascot winner Latin Lover – a son of Starspangledbanner (Choisir) - was one of the day's expected highlights and the three-year-old did not disappoint, with an online bidder emerging triumphant at 210,000gns following a lengthy bidding battle with locally based Greg Chung in the ring. The docket was signed under the Ahead All As Agent banner.
Latin Lover was the first first Royal Ascot runner for young trainer Harry Eustace and duly won the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap (5f), earning an official rating of 89. It was a third career victory for the promising sprinter, who won over six furlongs on his previous start at Kempton in June.
"Latin Lover looks strong and a good example of one by Starspanglebanner," commented the buyer's representative.
"He won well at Royal Ascot last month in a big field of 27 runners. He has improved after being gelded last year and is concentrating more on the job as a three-year-old. His performance is getting better, he is a good size and I expect him to make up into a good sprinter."
Over the three day sale 520 of the 564 lots offered were sold for 16,743,285gns. The average of 32,199gns was up 41 per cent from last year's figure of 22,865gns. The median rose 25 per cent from 12,000gns in 2021 to 15,000gns this year and was the first year in the sale's history that the median had finished above 12,000gns.
