CONSIGNORS at next week’s Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale will be pleased to know that a large number of Italian buyers are set to be welcomed by the sales company and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM).

Positive results at last year’s renewal were aided by a notable spend by Italian buyers, with Razza Latina second in the buyers’ table by amount spent, their 11 horses costing €334,000. Scuderia Semeso also featured in the top 10 after spending €186,000 on nine horses. The pair topped the buyers’ table by number of horses purchased, while Scuderia Cuschieri sat fifth.

According to ITM’s David Burns, Razza Latina’s Cristiana Brivio and Semeso’s Sebastiano Guerrieri are both booked to return next week, along with a host of others from Italy, Eastern Europe and Spain.

“Last year, the market was fantastic with the Italians, I hope it’s as good this year,” said Burns, who has made a number of trips to Italy this year, as have members of the Tattersalls Ireland team.

“The Italian market is huge for us, because they’ve upped their spend, they’ve upped the quality of the yearlings they buy,” Burns continued. “Because of the amount of foals that we are producing in Ireland, we need markets to sell them to, and that’s one of the reasons the Italians have become so important for us, and continues to be so.”

Flying the Irish flag

Just like Irish breeders need Italian buyers, Italian racing needs Irish horses, with this year’s Italian 2000 Guineas victor Melfi one of many top horses sourced in Ireland. Bred by Tally-Ho Stud, the three-time stakes winner was bought by Razza Latina for €33,000 at the September Yearling Sale and his half-brother by Starman is catalogued as Lot 178 on Tuesday.

The son of Kessaar is trained by Endo Botti and was bought by his wife Cristiana Brivio. On what she looks for at the sales, she said: “I prefer a two-year-old type, but the main thing is that they’re a nice horse, I don’t mind if it’s a colt or a filly.

“I think the pedigree is important, but it’s much more important that I like the individual and that they walk well. We don’t spend huge money, so we like a nice pedigree, but can’t afford a super sire.”

Brivio sources the majority of her horses at the September Yearling Sale, and reflects: “I think the quality is improving every year and the prices are reasonable. I love to come there; Tattersalls Ireland and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing are always very good to me and offer excellent hospitality.”

The Brexit factor

Consignors cannot rely on just one buyer though and, when asked for her predictions on Italian spend in general next week, Brivio said: “I think, like last year, there will be many Italians buying. The prize money is getting a little bit better. This is one of the sales that Italians go to more often.”

British sales have felt the absence of European buyers since Brexit, which Brivio lists as a major factor in Italian buyers travelling to Ireland. “It’s much more expensive and difficult to buy in England. For us, Ireland is much easier, so I think Italians prefer to buy in Ireland. I like how the Irish breed their horses, so that’s another reason we prefer to come to Ireland.”

For many European racing jurisdictions, the ultimate dream is for their horses to stand their own in the likes of Ireland, France and the UK, and Ponntos realised that dream for Czech-based trainer Miroslav Nieslanik this year.

Bought by Adam Wyrzyk from Brendan Murphy for €6,800 at Part 2 of the September Yearling Sale, the son of Power is now a five-time stakes winner in Dubai, France and Italy. Often deemed the underdog, his gallant efforts in defeat include finishing second in a Group 2 won by subsequent Al Quoz sprint runner-up Star Of Mystery, and a fine fifth after making all in the Nunthorpe Stakes.