by Martin Stevens

The publication lays out all the details on yearlings sold at public auction in Europe and those by European based sires sold at major auctions in North America & Japan. It is a much-needed guide ahead of the breeding stock sales and the covering season, supporting you in evaluating and finding value moving forward.

‍

Frankel, a dual champion sire in Britain and Ireland, has achieved the highest average price of any stallion at the yearling sales in Europe so far in 2024.

Figures in the newly published Weatherbys Bloodstock Sales Review Part 1 2024show that the Banstead Manor Stud resident has had 31 lots sell for an average of 711,398gns (€859,013) this year.

The top price of 4,400,000gns was given by Amo Racing for a filly out of Duke of Cambridge Stakes winner Aljazzi consigned by Newsells Park Stud to Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

She is one of six Frankel yearlings who made seven-figure sums this year, the big-sellers also including a full-sister to Arc heroine Alpinista bought by Amo Racing from Staffordstown for 2,500,000gns and a colt out of the Listed-winning Invincible Spirit mare Loch Lein purchased by Godolphin from Croom House Stud for €2,000,000.

Frankel’s median price stands at 450,000gns (€543,375), which is narrowly the second best figure this year, after that achieved by Dalham Hall Stud kingpin Dubawi, who is running at 455,487gns (€550,000).

Dubawi has had 17 sell for the second-best average of 646,822gns (€781,038),headed by two colts out of Group 1 winners purchased by Godolphin: one out of Lady Bowthorpe from Fittocks Stud, who made 2,000,000gns, and the other out of Molly Malone from Baroda Stud, who commanded 1,500,000gns.

Sea The Stars is responsible for the third best average price this year, withhis figure of 304,116gns (€367,220) for 58 lots sold boosted by a full-sister to Group 1 heroine Sea Silk Road from Kildaragh Stud knocked down for1,600,000gns and a colt out of the Listed-placed Farhh mare Bighearted from Staffordstown who changed hands at 875,000gns. Godolphin bought both.

Siyouni has the fourth best average price of 303,615gns (€366,615) for 35 lots sold, thanks in large part to the sale of a half-sister to Fillies’ Mile victress Ylang Ylang from Newsells Park Stud to Godolphin for 3,700,000gns.

Wootton Bassett is in fifth place by this measure, with an average price of 298,831gns (€360,838) for 75 lots sold. His top seller was Lodge Park Stud’s son of Oaks heroine Was’s full-sister Park Bloom to Amo Racing for a European yearling colt record of 4,300,000gns.

This year’s European first-season sire table has a very open look to it, and that has been reflected in prices paid for their second-crop yearlings this year, with less than 20,000gns covering the averages of the top five by that measure.

They were Pinatubo (71,299gns for 47 lots sold), Kameko (63,148gns for 37 lots sold), Ghaiyyath (54,254gns for 55 sold), Persian King (53,864gns for 17 lots sold) and Hello Youmzain (52,312gns for 34 lots sold).

Generally the most in-demand sire with first yearlings this year has been St Mark’s Basilica, who has achieved an average price of 173,100gns (€209,018)and median of 90,000gns (€108,675) for 61 lots sold. 

 The son of Siyouni’s best result was €1,700,000, paid by MV Magnier for a half-sister to Group 1 winners Chicquita and Magic Wand from Ecurie des Monceaux.

The next best average prices among the new sires belong to Palace Pier (74,435gns for 54 lots sold), Space Blues (54,582gns for 70 lots sold), Victor Ludorum (51,052gns for 34 lots sold) and Starman (41,211gns for 139 lots sold).

For more insights into stallion performance at this year’s yearling sales, purchase the Bloodstock Sales Review Park 1 2024 online at the Weatherbys Shop.