Sale statistics: (+/- compared with last year)

Catalogued: 180

Offered: 147

Sold: 106

Aggregate: 14,584,500gns (-5%)

Median: 80,000gns (0%)

Average: 137,590gns (+13%)

% Sold: 72%

Top three leading consignors (by aggregate): 1. Tally-Ho Stud, 2. Lynn Lodge Stud, 3. Glending Stables

Top three leading purchasers (by aggregate): 1. Godolphin, 2. Stroud Coleman Bloodstock, 3. Michael O'Callaghan

Top three leading sires (by aggregate): 1. Blue Point, 2. Havana Grey, 3. Galileo

Top three leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Kingman, 2. Too Darn Hot, 3. Blue Point

Top five lots

Lot 112: Galileo (IRE) / Manderley (IRE) B.C. (IRE) >> Glending Stables, Ireland >> Godolphin >> 1,000,000gns

Lot 147: Blue Point (IRE) / Platinum Coast (USA) B.C. (IRE) >> Station Yard >> Godolphin >> 800,000gns

Lot 150: Kingman (GB) / Pure Excellence (GB) B.C. (GB) >> Lynn Lodge Stud, Ireland >> Godolphin >> 800,000gns

Lot 154: Persian King (IRE) / Robanne (GB) B.C. (FR) >> Tally-Ho Stud, Ireland >> Stroud Coleman Bloodstock >> 600,000gns

Lot 26: Anno Domini (GB) Gr.C. Greenhills Farm, Ireland >> Godolphin >> 525,000gns (22:00)

At the conclusion of the 2024 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented:

“Above all we would like to congratulate every single consignor and all associated with the way in which they coped with the extreme weather conditions which we encountered on the morning of the breeze. The professionalism, both human and equine, shone through the persistent wind and rain and it has been wonderful to see some memorable pinhooking triumphs despite the adversity.

“The Craven Breeze Up Sale has produced the best British two-yea-olds of their generation in two of the last three years as well as two Guineas winners and the global participation this week reflects the sale’s reputation as a prolific source of Group 1 performers.

"Domestic British and Irish buyers have been joined by a strong contingent from throughout the Gulf region, with Saudi connections particularly prominent, and American participation, which has been such a feature of Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale in recent years, has also been notable.

“Obviously the outstanding GALILEO colt selling for 1 million guineas, the second-highest price ever for a Craven Breeze Up two-year-old and the third-highest in Europe, was the highlight of the sale and the second consecutive year that Roderic Kavanagh’s Glending Stables has topped the sale, which is a remarkable achievement.

"As a 125,000 guineas yearling purchase only five months ago the colt was a truly spectacular pinhooking achievement and there were numerous other notable successes which reflect the outstanding professionalism of the consignors.

"It should be noted, however, that while the key metrics of average and median compare well with last year’s record-breaking sale, the clearance rate has fallen short and there has been a selectivity to the trade which should not be overlooked. There has been no shortage of competition, both domestic and international, at the top of the market and a record number of lots selling for 500,000 guineas or more, but the lower levels of the market have not matched the robust demand at the higher end.

"Nevertheless, we are confident that this year’s Craven Breeze Up Sale will prove to be an abundant source of high-class racehorses to follow in the illustrious footsteps of CACHET, NATIVE TRAIL and VANDEEK.” (21:30)

Lot 147: Francesca and Charlie Poste make a sale ring debut that may never be matched – the pair have long sold point-to-pointers, doing especially well at the Tattersalls Cheltenham sales, but last autumn decided to diversify, and purchased a draft of yearlings to breeze this spring.

This colt by last year's leading first-crop sire Blue Point was part of the bunch and he sold tonight for 800,000gns, bought by Anthony Stroud for Godolphin.

He was picked up as a yearling by Station Yard with Blandford Bloodstock for 68,000gns at the Tattersalls Ireland September Sale.

After receiving congratulations from everyone, and giving the wife a hug, ex-NH jockey Charlie Poste, said: "Francesca and I are absolutely over the moon, we can't believe it! I supposed we had the right people involved."

He laughed: "It is far more of a kick than I ever got riding a winner, and the whole team at home has done an amazing job.

"We have to thank the syndicate who backed us, especially as we have not pedigree for doing this. Tom Biggs [Blandford Bloodstock] helped buy him, and mates such as Mark Grant helped us through the whole process.

"I was nervous before they breezed as I did not want to be embarrassed, Francesca and I pride ourselves on doing these horses well, and the fact that he pitched up and did what he did, and he galloped as straight as a gun barrel and was seriously quick – he backed up what we had seen at home.

"But the truth of the matter we are used to training point-to-pointers and me thinking he is fast, might not mean a whole heap – it is a long time since I was riding at Richard Fahey's as an apprentice! But he came and showed us that we were spot on."

Of the idea to sell some breeze up horse, he explained: "We had been interested in it for while, but lacked the capital. Some mates suggested it to us in the spring, Francesca and I said we were interested, we met up and we got a syndicate together. It meant we could be involved without having to risk an enormous amount of capital which we don't have."

He added: "We have loved the process, and a change is as good as a rest! It has been seriously exciting for us, for all the team at home to be involved and didn't think in my wildest dreams it would end up like this at our first go."

The best price that has been achieved by Poste with a point-to-pointer was 205,000gns at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale.

He smiled: "We are definitely not going to neglect the pointers, NH is our major passion, but it would be folly not to do this a bit more. We just want to do something that, if we do a job well, we are going to get our due rewards, and we got that and more this evening. "

Poste has got a couple of pointing runners this weekend and laughed: "If they go well, we hope they will go to next week's Tattersalls Cheltenham April Sale." (20:37)

Lot 112: the very last unraced horse by Galileo to sell public auction makes 1,000,000gns, the second-best price ever given at the Craven Sale and the third-best price given for a European breeze-up horse.

The colt was sold by Roderic Kavanagh's Glending Stables – at last year's Craven Sale the farm sold Vandeek for joint top lot price of 625,000gns to Stroud Coleman.

Anthony Stroud also bought this colt and saw off a determined effort from Amo Racing's Kia Joorabchian, who was standing by the door, while Chris Wall, on the back stairs, was also involved in the bidding to around the half a million mark.

Joorabchian was bidding himself to around 800,000gns, but agent Alex Elliott, who was standing with him, took over responsibility at the higher echelons. The team traded blows with Stroud until Godolphin's man made the seven-figure bid causing Joorabchian to walk away.

"We all thought he is a very nice horse, and is the last horse by Galileo to go through public auction, and he breezed very well," said Stroud. "He came from the same hotel as Vandeek. The colt deserved to do well and he did well. When two people really want a horse then it can make any price, it is great for the breeze up sale."

Of a future path for the colt, Stroud said: "Charlie Appleby and the boss [Sheikh Mohammed] make the decisions regarding the onward plans, I leave it up to them."

Kavanagh was obviously stunned that he has once again hit the jackpot.

"It is incredible, and for Amo to go that far, I had no expectations of that, the price is beyond our dreams," he said from outside the colt's stable.

It is the pinhook result of the ages – the colt having been bought here from The Castlebridge Consignment for 125,000gns at the Tattersalls December Sale, the same sale that he sourced Vandeek.

Kavanagh outlined: "He has done very well, he is a natural athlete. The last month has been tense because we have thought he was something special."

Recalling the yearling purchase decision, he said: "When this horse came up, we could feel that there was a possibility to buy something that was that unique. We did feel that we had nicked him when we bought him, and you start looking around and wondering what is wrong with him.

"I reckon that was why we could buy him, people thought there might be something missing from the puzzle. But there wasn't and when the vet came back with the green light, we were 'Wow this is a unique opportunity'.

"But it was a lot of money for us to give. We probably would not have spent that sum if we had not sold Vandeek so well last year, he has been a life-changing horse."

Of the price today, he said: "We did not think that would happen, maybe that is this part of this horse's attributes in that he does not disappoint and, hopefully, he won't disappoint where he goes. I thought there was a chance that he might make half of that, if everyone turned up. But everyone turned up, and possibly could see what we had been seeing every day, that there is not blemish on the horse. It does help that we have sold the previous horse, we had a bit of record there and people could justify, I think it does help."

Of the sale itself, he said: "You ask yourself is it real? And you try and rack your brain beforehand as to what will happen, but then you overthink it and you just have to let the horse in, it is a unique place that auction – you don't know what is going to happen until you walk in. "

He concluded: "We are privileged to be selling horses, to get our hands on horses like this. Hopefully, he will be as good as the last one." (19:34)

Lot 98: it is a case of Day 1 deja vu.... Anthony Stroud buys from Katie Walsh's Greenhills Farm at 525,000gns.

And in a case of a repeat of 2023, he has purchased a two-year-old by Havana Grey on behalf of KHK Racing – last year he bought by the sire, and for the same owners. The only difference is the gender – last year's purchase was a colt and went onto be named Vandeek and became a star, this year's buy is a filly and Stroud will be hope she can emulate her paternal half-brother on the racecourse.

Stroud said: "Obviously we did very well last year, this is a very nice filly who breezed very well, we have the connection with Havana Grey, it was a great deal of money but sometimes you have to stretch for the ones you like.

"It was more than anticipated, but the owners are very supportive of this sale and have done very well historically at the sale. She goes to Simon and Ed Crisford."

Katie Walsh was visibly emotional after the sale, and after finishing speaking on the phone to her Dad, said: "I am emotional tonight, it is unbelievable, it has been a great couple of days and been really special.

"I understand how hard it is, for the last couple of weeks I have been saying 'Jesus, I can't have two of them!' It is so hard to get one, let alone two! I didn't really say it out loud, but quietly thought it at home, as we all did.

"I ride a lot of them at home, but all the lads in the yard have prepared them so well, and the pair of these seemed to have something special. Her sire is on fire and the whole worked."

Walsh did not buy the filly as a yearling, she was instead purchased by Mags O'Toole and Norman Williamson's Oak Tree Farm and Walsh explained the connection.

"Myself and Ross [husband] were at the Somerville Sale, and I liked her and they liked her, too – Norman bought her and she has been with me since the hammer fell. He used to do fillies back in the day and I said I am better with the girls, I'll take her!"

She added: "It is a dream! I really appreciate it!"

The filly was purchased as a yearling at the Somerville Sale for 80,000gns. (19:00)

Day 1 statistics: (+/- % compared to last year)

Catalogued: 90

Offered: 75

Sold: 53

Aggregate: 5,589,500gns (-14%)

Median: 77,000gns (0%)

Average: 105,462gns (-4%)

% Sold: 71%

Top three leading consignors (by aggregate): 1. Greenhills Farm, 2. Lynn Lodge Stud, 3. Tally-Ho Stud

Top three leading purchasers (by aggregate): 1. Michael O'Callaghan, 2. Godolphin, 3. BBA Ireland

Top three leading sires (by aggregate): 1. Mehmas, 2. New Bay, 3. Havana Grey

Top three leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Havana Grey, 2. Blue Point, 3. Medaglia D'Oro

*Top five lots*

Lot 26: Anno Domini (GB) gr,c. >> Greenhills Farm, Ireland >> Godolphin >> 525,000gns

Lot 6: Mehmas (IRE) / Transcendence (IRE) ch,c. >> Mocklershill, Ireland >> Michael O'Callaghan >> 300,000gns

Lot 22: Pinatubo (IRE) / A Huge Dream (IRE) b,c. >> Brown Island Stables, Ireland >> Avenue Bloodstock / Paddy Towmey >> 220,000gns

Lot 18: City of Light (USA) / Wilson's Creek (USA) b,c. >> Lynn Lodge Stud, Ireland >> BBA Ireland >> 210,000gns

Lot 46: Munnings (USA) / Colorful Sense (USA) b,c. >> Knockanglass Stables, Ireland >> BS Global >> 210,000gns (21:27)

Lot 63: Danny Hussey Bloodstock / Keatley Racing go to 200,000gns for the colt by the sire sensation Havana Grey and sold by Grangeclare Stud.

The April-born two-year-old is out of the Arcano mare Enigmatique, a half-sister to Lily's Angel (Dark Angel), winner of the Group 3 Chartwell Fillies Stakes, three Listed races and runner-up in the Matron Stakes (G1), to the Listed winner and Group 2-placed Zurigha (Cape Cross), and the Japanese Group 1-placed Labeling (Frankel).

Third dam Bellarida is dam of the Group 3 winner In Clover, who is dam of the Group 1 winner With You, the dam of the Group 1 stayer Call The Wind and the Prix de l'Opera (G1) winner We Are. Further Group 1 winners in the pedigree include Kelina, Dominant and Aristia.

Havana Grey's two-year-old Arran, trained by Paul and Oliver Cole and owned by Mrs Fitri Hay won the first at Newmarket today on his racing debut. (21:18)

Lot 31: by Too Darn Hot and out of Azenzar (Danehill Dancer) this colt is bought by Silverton Hill from Eddie Linehan's Lackendarra Stables for 200,000gns.

US owners and breeders Bonnie and Tommy Hamilton's Silverton Hill is in Springfield, Kentucky. The couple has purchased before at Tattersalls, but this is a first venture to the Craven Sale.

They have also raced horses in Europe – Pathfork (Distorted Humor), winner of the Group 1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes and the Futurity Stakes (G2), trained byJessica Harrington, is their best to date.

This colt's sale represents a fine pinhooking result for the consignors – the March-born was bought for $19,000 at Keeneland September by PDK Bloodstock.

His dam Azenzar was a three-time winner and she is dam of three winners. She is from the extended family of Alexander Goldrun, the champion older mare in Ireland in 2005 and with race wins that include the Nassau Stakes (G1), the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) (twice), the Prix de l'Opera, the Hong Kong Cup and the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial (G3). (20:15)

Lot 26: the already-named New Bay colt Anno Domini, sold by Katie Walsh's Greenhills Farm, makes for 525,000gns, the best result for the consignor at Tattersalls. She has purchased the colt under the Greenhills banner for 125,000gns here as a yearling at last year's October Book 1 Sale.

Tonight's bidding on the March-born grey colt opened up at 100,000gns, quickly jumped up to 200,000gns, before settling to a battle between Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland, standing on the stairs by the bidders' area and on the telephone, and Anthony Stroud, standing below in the gangway, and he eventually emerged as the successful purchaser.

"This is a very nice horse, he did a very good breeze, Katie Walsh does a fantastic job, and he has a great pedigree being by New Bay and out of a Galileo mare," said Stroud, who recalled: "I saw him as yearling, liked him and should have bought then!"

After the sale, Walsh, standing by her draft's stabling in Somerville Paddock, said: "Physically, I always thought he could come back here as I thought he was sharp enough, and his breeze yesterday matched up to that.

"I can't believe it really, but I guess I did dream a little bit as he had cost 125,000gns and he has the pedigree – the people who are into pedigrees couldn't knock him on it. He made sense on paper, and then when he breezed well and vetted well I knew we had a chance of getting a touch. The paperwork matched with the physical, not often it all comes together like that. I always had faith in him, that if the whole worked out, he could do that."

She added of the feeling after selling for such a sum: "In the moment after it is a bit of whirlwind as the phone is ringing from home, and you want to ring everyone, but it is brilliant, it is great for everyone.

"We are a family-run business with my sister Jennifer, my Mum and Dad and my husband, we are all in it together - as well as all the lads at home. We couldn't do it without the lads at home, and that's the truth. This is due to the work they put in at home all year – we have a good team at home and it is a win-win for everybody."

Recalling her best results at Tattersalls she added: "I had a More Than Ready filly a few years ago who made 500,000gns – she wasn't mine and I have a good piece of this colt so that makes it all a bit sweeter!"

Anno Domini's dam Alegra (Galileo) has produced five winners, including the Listed winners Pythagoras and Blue Gardenia. His third dam is Alouette, dam of the champions Albanova and Alborada, ancestress of numerous black-type winners, headed up by the Prix de Arc de Triomphe winner Alpinista, the European champion older mare of 2022.

He was sold here last year as part of the Lady Ogden dispersal and was consigned by Barton Stud.

"We liked him a lot last year and I thought he looked amazing today," said Blain of Barton who watched the sale from outside. "He has grown and strengthened plenty, his sire New Bay could have a massive year."

Stroud, who signed on behalf of Godolphin, will be hoping this purchase will be as successful as his 2023 Craven Sale purchase which, of course, is the KHK Racing-owned and leading two-year-old of last season Vandeek. (19:29)

Lot 22: this bay colt by Pinatubo and out of A Huge Dream (Refuse To Bend) is sold by Brown Island Stables to Avenue Bloodstock / Paddy Twomey for 220,000gns. He was a 68,000gns yearling purchase at the Tattersalls October Book 2 Sale when sold by New England Stud.

A Huge Dream was a winner at three and Listed-placed at Chantilly. She is dam of the dual Listed winner Mrs Gallagher and the Listed-placed Tone The Barone.

She is a half-sister to Xtension, a dual Group 1 winner in Hong Kong of the Champions Mile, winner of the Vintage Stakes (G2), placed in the Dewhurst Stakes (G1), the Hong Kong Mile and the Prix Jean Prat (G1).

She is also a half-sister to Beatrix Potter, dam of the champion sprinter Harry Angel, Triggers Broom, the dam of the Middle Park Stakes (G1) winner Supremacy, and to Goodnight And Joy, the dam of the Group 1 Prix de l Abbaye runner-up White Lavender.

Purchaser Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock said: "“He’s been purchased for a very good client based in Dubai called Mohammed Al Suboosi who already owns some nice horses with Paddy – Procrastinate, another breeze-up horse, and Noche Magica, who’ll come back for a sprinting campaign after being a Group horse last year.

"We had a very select list and combined all our thoughts and this was the horse we hit on. I think the sire could be very promising and the mare’s already done it by breeding Mrs Gallagher. The colt came recommended by Johnny Collins, who I’ve known for a long time. His recommendation counts for a lot so I’m delighted to get this colt." (19:15)

Lot 12: this colt from the first crop of the Haras d'Etreham-based sire Hello Youmzain (Kodiac) offered by C.F. Bloodstock makes 200,000gns, bought by Blandford Bloodstock. The colt had been purchased by the consignor for 58,000gns as a yearling at the Tattersalls October Book 2 Sale.

He is a half-brother to the three-time winner and Listed Prix Michel Houyet runner-up Verimli (Born To Sea). His unraced dam Verriya (Zamindar) is a half-sister to Verema, winner of the Prix Kergorlay (G2), Prix Maurice de Nieuil (G2) and the Prix du Lutece (G3).

Hello Youmzain won twice at Group 1 level when successful in the Haydock Sprint Cup (G1) and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1). He also won the Sandy Lane Stakes (G2) and the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte (G2). He stands at a fee of €22,500 at Etreham. (18:33)

Lot 6: the Mehmas half-brother to last year's Coventry Stakes (G2) winner, Middle Park Stakes (G1) and Prix Morny (G1) third-placed River Tiber (Wootton Bassett) sells for 300,000gns. He was bought by trainer Michael O'Callaghan, who was on the telephone and was standing in the bidders, agent Ross Doyle, who was standing by the back door with trainer Richard Hannon, was underbidder. The colt was offered by Mocklershill.

"He was very professional in his breeze, he comes from a very good hotel, he has a great pedigree, he is a half-brother to River Tiber and it is a very good cross – Mehmas out of a Arcano mare, Supremacy [Middle Park Stakes (G1) winner and now Yeomanstown sire] is the very same," said O'Callaghan, adding: "I have bought him for an existing client, and am delighted to get him.

"He is a Royal Ascot mould, he is by that type of sire, hopefully if that happens, that happens. He was up early in his breeze - he was very professional and I am delighted to get him."

River Tiber, who is in training with Aiden O'Brien and owned by Tabor, Smith, Magnier, Westerberg and Brant, has entries in the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas. In his two placed Group 1 runs as a juvenile River Tiber was behind Vandeek, last year's Craven Sale top lot and the year's leading two-year-old. (18:17)