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BAHRAIN, Dubai and Qatar are the destinations for the top lots sold on the final day of the Tattersalls July Sale.
The three-day sale ended with a clearance rate of around 90% but the median price fell by 23% and the average by 12% compared to last year.
Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony commented: "A smaller catalogue and one perhaps lacking a little of the depth which produced the record breaking 2023 July Sale has understandably produced a set of figures which have not quite matched the heights of last year.
"Nevertheless, there has been sustained demand at all levels of the market which has resulted in an enviable clearance rate yet again in excess of 90% and a record-equalling number of horses selling for 250,000gns or more."
Thursday's top price of 220,000gns was paid online by China Horse Club who were effectively buying out former partner Qatar Racing to take sole ownership of Jubilee Walk, a 97-rated three-year-old trained by James Ferguson.
By Study Of Man, Jubilee Walk last won over five furlongs at York in May off a BHA mark of 90. He is the winner of three races from six starts.
He is out of the Oasis Dream mare Starlit Sands, winner of the Group 3 Prix d'Arenberg, and runner-up in the Queen Mary Stakes.
Matt Houldsworth, European manager for China Horse Club, said: "He’ll stay with James and we’re going to target Bahrain. We’ll take him around the Middle East and perhaps we’ll go to Dubai as well. We haven’t had runners in Bahrain before but it’s something we’re keen to do as it’s obviously an emerging part of the world. We thought this horse fitted the profile nicely as he’s very much on the up.”
Bahrain is also on the cards for Soldier's Empire, a three-year-old colt by Bated Breath formerly trained by Ger Lyons for Ballygallon Stud. He was purchased by Sheikh Sultan Aldeen MS Al-Khalifa for 180,000gns, and will run under his racing banner Al Mohamediya Racing.
Soldier's Empire won his maiden last October on the all-weather at Dundalk and has been placed twice this year over nine furlongs at Gowran Park and the Curragh off a handicap mark of 90.
Spokesperson Ali Majeed said: "He will go straight to Bahrain from here and will be trained by Fawzi Nass. He is a serious horse, he could suit the Crown Prince Cup or the King's Cup, and he will lots of options when he is four."
The progressive and lightly raced Swindon (by Wootton Bassett), from William Haggas' Somerville Lodge was bought by the Libyan syndicate Sky Racing for 175,000gns, outbidding Oliver St Lawrence and team.
A spokesperson for Sky Racing said: "This syndicate is organising racing in Libya and we have horses in Dubai and Libya. We hope this horse will go to Dubai, and also take in a big race in Libya at the end of October at the National Shooting and Equestrian Club in Libya, that will be the main target.
"The owners of the syndicate are pushing hard to improve the racing industry in Libya and there is good prize-money for the race in October. There are also stallions and broodmares travelling to Libya, too."
Irish buyers active during Thursday's session included Joe Foley, Richard O'Brien, Denis Hogan, Shark Hanlon's sons Sean and Paddy, and Anthony McCann.
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