Frosty start to February Sale as All I Need leads the way at 55,000gns

Frosty conditions in Newmarket were mirrored in the Park Paddocks ring on Thursday as day one of the Tattersalls February Sale got off to a decidedly low-key start.

The session produced a clearance rate of 75 per cent, with 130 of 174 offered lots changing hands to remain on par with the figure from last year's sale. However, this year's catalogue lacked the star appeal that was on offer 12 months ago, and consequently all other market metrics showed marked year-on-year declines.

The aggregate for the session stood at 925,700gns - down 77 per cent from the 3,992,650gns traded during the corresponding session in 2018. The average was 7,120gns - down 74 per cent, while the median was down 50 per cent from 5,500gns to 2,750gns.

View full Tattersalls February Sale results

The corresponding session in 2018 was jointly topped by Thetis and Smoulder, with the well-bred broodmare prospects bringing 550,000gns apiece. The former was offered as part of the Ballymacoll Stud dispersal, while the latter came under the hammer as part of beleaguered South African business magnate Markus Jooste's own dispersal.

This year's opening session lacked anything of that kind of heavyweight calibre and come the close of day one, trade was headed by All I Need. The seven-year-old is now destined for Chepstow after Oakgrove Stud manager David Hilton saw off Nancy Sexton with a bid of 55,000gns to secure the half-sister to Group 3 winner Aquamarine consigned by Voute Sales.

The unraced daughter of Peintre Celebre was offered in foal to Haras de la Haie Neuve resident Pedro The Great, a Henrythenavigator half-brother to Footstepsinthesand who sired last year's Del Mar Oaks scorer Fatale Bere.

Hilton said that a familiarity with the family, which has been nurtured by the Wildenstein family, was among the major appeals.

"We own Altesse Imperiale, who's further down the page," said Hilton. "Tim Lane bought her and she's done very well, she's got three black-type horses from five runners. We've got some nice daughters out of Altesse Imperiale and she's visiting Frankel, so it's an active page."

Altesse Imperiale has been represented by the Listed-winning September Stars, the Group 3 winner Teodoro and the Group 1-placed Altruistic.

Oakgrove Stud manager David Hilton (right) in the Park Paddocks gangway with the National Stud's Tim LaneCredit: Laura Green

"We were happy to buy her for that sort of money, especially as we don't have a mare by Peintre Celebre," added Hilton. "She suits us physically as we have breeding rights in a few stallions that have plenty of size.

"She's a bit finer than the rest of the family so hopefully we can put a bit of size into her, although we haven't discussed who she'll be covered by next. That conversation will probably happen in the horsebox on the way home!"

All I Need is one of six foals out of Angelita, an Alzao sister to Beverly D Stakes and Diana Handicap winner Angara.

BBA land Dance

The following lot was also among the session's top prices, with Eamonn Reilly of BBA Ireland going to 50,000gns for Art Of Dance from his regular position against the back wall.

The well-bred daughter of Medicean, offered by Baroda and Colbinstown Studs in foal to No Nay Never, is out of the Sun Chariot Stakes winner Danceabout, and is a sibling to two stakes performers in the Listed-winning Rainbow Dancing and the Listed-placed Handsome Man.

"I bought her Bated Breath colt Marshall Law here as a yearling for 72,000gns at Book 2 in 2017," said Reilly. "He's in training with Jessie Harrington and has run well so far, hopefully he'll prove up to winning as a three-year-old this year.

"Art Of Dance is in foal to No Nay Never, which is very attractive given the start he's made. She's been bought for an Irish breeder."

BBA Ireland finished the session having signed for 21 lots for a total outlay of 114,400gns.

Flanagan gets Snazzy

The smart Snazzy boasted one of the most appealing profiles in the catalogue and duly brought the day's second-highest price when knocked down to David Cox, leaning against the partition and taking instructions on the phone, for 52,000gns.

Cox was acting on behalf of bloodstock agent Mick Flanagan, whose name appeared on the docket of the Kodiac filly, who finished third behind Signora Cabello in the Listed Marygate Fillies' Stakes, having made a winning debut at Newcastle.

"Mick rang me and asked if I could take a look at her," said Cox. "I thought she was good value at that price - she was fast and could definitely run. I understand she'll be retired from racing and is due to be covered by Nathaniel."

The Highclere Stud-consigned filly, a €40,000 yearling, was making her second appearance at Tattersalls in as many months, having been knocked down for 80,000gns during the December Sale.

From a pedigree perspective, Snazzy makes plenty of appeal as a broodmare prospect as she hails from one of the most active families in the stud book. Her third dam is King's Stand Stakes winner Cassandra Go, the dam of the Classic winner Halfway To Heaven and the granddam of the likes of Rhododendron, Magical, Photo Call and Land Force.

Snazzy is one of four foals produced by the Acclamation mare Tilthe End Of Time, a half-sister to the German Listed scorer Best Regards.

The February Sale concludes on Friday, with a session beginning at 10am.

More sales news:

Sales turnover in Ireland falls by eight per cent during challenging 2018

Best saved until almost last as Ross Doyle snares Pakora late in session