Tattersalls October Finishes With Record Gross, Median

With the conclusion of Book 3 Oct. 17 in Newmarket, the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale hit the finish line inching past last year's record gross while blowing by the record median. Tattersalls reported 1,444 lots sold from 1,703 lots offered, producing total sales of 206,401,100 guineas (US$290,406,348, 1 guinea=US$1.41) a 1% increase from last year's record total. Average price dipped 3.4% year-over-year to 142,838 guineas (US$200,973), while median increased 17% to a record 70,000 guineas (US$98,490). This year's clearance rate was 87%. The two-day Book 3 contributed positively to the final numbers, as average increased 19%, median was up 27%, and total sales moved forward by 17% in the sale's final book. Throughout the entire sale, 16 yearlings brought 1 million guineas or more, led by Lot 90, Longview Stud's sale-topping Sea the Stars (IRE) colt that sold to Godolphin for 3.7 million guineas (US$5,205,900) on the first day of Book 1. It was the highest-priced yearling to sell anywhere in the world in 2025. Juddmonte purchased the highest-priced filly when going to 1.5 million guineas for Lot 498, a Frankel (GB) filly out of the group 3-winning Le Havre (IRE) mare Ville de Grace. Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony released the following statement: "The three books of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale represent arguably the most important fortnight in the European bloodstock calendar as the Thoroughbred world descends on Newmarket, the hub of European horse racing. Over the last two weeks we have seen turnover surpass 200 million guineas for the third time in four years, the two highest-priced yearlings sold anywhere in the world this year, 16 lots sell for 1 million guineas or more, and sustained demand for quality yearlings from all corners of the globe. "The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale consistently attracts the largest share of the best European yearlings to come to market each year, and Books 1 and 2 have seen a remarkable 189 yearlings realize 300,000 guineas or more, 77% of the yearlings to realize that figure at public auction in Europe this year. Tribute must be paid to the breeders and consignors from Britain, Ireland, and further afield who entrust their best yearlings to Tattersalls, safe in the knowledge that the global racecourse success of those yearlings continues to attract the world's leading buyers year after year. "We have welcomed large numbers of international visitors to Newmarket throughout Books 1 to 3 with significant numbers of American purchasers joined by buyers from throughout the Gulf region including Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the (United Arab Emirates). They have been joined by purchasers from Australia, China, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, and Spain alongside a strong domestic buying bench."