Sea Force Tops Final Day of Tattersalls July Sale

The highest price on the third and final day of the Tattersalls July Sale was achieved shortly before 8 p.m. local time July 9. The well-related Sea Force had compiled some smart form for William Haggas and owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, winning twice and reaching a peak Racing Post Rating of 102. Bahrain-based trainer Jaber Ramadhan and owner Hassan Mufarrah were so taken with the son of Sea The Stars (IRE) that they engaged in a spot of late-night shopping, going to 170,000 guineas (US$239,261, 1 guinea=US$1.39) to secure the talented 4-year-old. "We've been following him for the past two or three months," Ramadhan said. "He's a good horse, so if he can run to the same level as he has for a master trainer like William Haggas, we'll be lucky with him. Hopefully we can run him in the Bahrain Turf Series, as they've introduced a mile race this year." The trainer, who finished runner-up in the latest Bahraini standings, added: "We thought we were going to get him for 120,000 guineas or 130,000 guineas, but when the owner was in the ring and bidding, it went a bit further. "I think it's about the right price, though, as the market is high. At the end of the day, July is a suitable sale for us to buy at, then get them over and continue with them. We have four or five months to give him a rest and get him ready for December." The Rabbah Bloodstock homebred was making his first appearance at the sales. He is the second foal out of Pretty Baby (IRE), whom Haggas saddled to victory in the Oak Tree Stakes (G3) in 2018. The mare's first foal is the Nell Gwyn Stakes (G3) scorer Pretty Crystal (IRE). Haggas's Somerville Lodge draft sold nine lots for receipts totaling 408,500 guineas. The final major price of the sale came a short while later via an online bid by Alastair Donald. The Sackville Donald agent went to 140,000 guineas for Comical Point from Andrew Balding's Kingsclere draft. Saeed Suhail's son of Blue Point (IRE) made a winning debut at 2 before finishing fifth in the Norfolk Stakes (G2), won by Charles Darwin (IRE). He also earned black type when third in the listed Rockingham Stakes and has proved largely consistent at 3, finishing in the frame on his last four starts over sprint distances. Key Stats Hold Up The slimmed-down July Sale catalog saw the offering reduced by 20% (128 lots) compared to last year's edition. In turn, aggregate sales fell by 18% year-on-year to 13,837,500 guineas (US$19,475,174). However, the demand for the stock on offer was highlighted by the average and median remaining almost identical to 2025 at 29,820 guineas (US$41,969) and 15,000 guineas (US$21,111), respectively. The clearance rate was 91%, up from 88%, as 464 lots found new homes. In his end-of-sale statement, Tattersalls managing director Matthew Prior said: "Whilst the catalog may have lacked some of the stars of previous years, we have nonetheless witnessed vibrant trade for top-class breeding stock and racing prospects, particularly among the highly sought-after consignments from Godolphin and Juddmonte, which included two of the top 10 prices ever achieved at this fixture, both purchased by Ace Stud."