Wonders to behold as Tattersalls big-spenders cavort in a parallel universe

Many are life's mysteries but few as baffling as the astounding resilience of bloodstock prices that march to the beat of some economic drum entirely divorced from the wider economic world.
Before looking at the eyepopping prices achieved at last week's Tattersalls Book 1 sale let us ponder a statistic from Keeneland last month.

Yes, America is a big country – albeit presided over by a small mind – and horse folk go there from all over the world. But it was a revelation to learn that at Keeneland over 75 individuals spent $1 million or more at the sale.

Of course this would include perhaps 20 of the usual suspects who are familiar racing household names. But who were the other 55? The number suggests it is not just the very top of the market that is in rude health – there is a depth and solidity of demand in the second tier as well.