Tattersalls wrapped up a historic, record-breaking Book 1 of its October Yearling Sale

A son of Night of Thunder reached 2,200,000 guineas to top the final session, while Godolphin completed 9 seven-figure purchases. Aggregate turnover reached 126,516,000 guineas, with the average jumping 12 percent and the median rising by nearly 10 percent

NEWMARKET, England (Special for Turf Diario).— Nick Jonsson did not want to sell his colt, but he ended up taking center stage at the close of Book 1 at Tattersalls. The South African breeder watched as a son of Night of Thunder and Capture The Heart (Sea the Stars), offered by Fittocks Stud, reached 2,200,000 guineas (approximately US$ 3,056,000) to become the top lot on the third and final day of the October Yearling Sale.

The buyer was Ace Stud, who continued to push hard for the progeny of Night of Thunder, concluding their participation with 5 purchases totaling 4,575,000 guineas.

The story behind the colt proved as compelling as his price tag. Jonsson had acquired Capture The Heart for 175,000 guineas through Sam Haggas of Hurworth Bloodstock. The daughter of Dark Angel never made it to the races, but her maternal family offered more than enough credentials to promise a bright future in the paddocks.

She is a half-sister to 3 stakes horses, including River of Stars (Sea the Stars), a G3 winner sold to Yulong Investments for 1,650,000 guineas in December 2024.

Another half-sister is the dam of Rashabar (Holy Roman Emperor), winner of the 2024 Coventry Stakes (G2), while her third dam, Amarette (Monsun), won the Preis der Diana (G1), the German Oaks, in 2004.

The choice of Night of Thunder as the sire proved decisive. “I was a very reluctant seller. I was completely prepared to keep the horse,” admitted Jonsson.

“I am South African and don't usually race here, but I had a filly with a great pedigree who never made the track. We were lucky to send her to Night of Thunder, and really, all the credit goes to Luca and Sara Cumani, because they did the work.”

The colt was bred and prepped at Fittocks Stud, the Cumani family’s farm, whose guidance was crucial in bringing him to the ring.

“My initial thought was to take the mare back to South Africa, but Sara told me I’d be crazy to do that. We kept her here and she turned out to be completely right. She gave me excellent advice,” recounted Jonsson.

The owner, whose great-grandfather founded the Durban Turf Club in 1887, maintains around 100 horses in training in South Africa, including See It Again (Twice Over), champion older horse of last season.

However, the windfall failed to thrill him quite like a big win on the racetrack. “I don’t know if this is a success. It’s a massive amount of money, but winning races provides a far better feeling. Winning a G1 is infinitely more exciting than buying or selling a horse,” he affirmed.

Ace Stud Bets on Balding

Paul Curran, racing and bloodstock manager for Ace Stud, explained that the colt was one of the prime targets of their operation.

“He is a first foal and, clearly, an outstanding individual. We are actively targeting sons of Night of Thunder, and this was arguably the finest on offer. For us, he stood out head and shoulders above the rest.”

The colt will follow the same path as another son of Night of Thunder acquired by Ace Stud during the second session for 1,600,000 guineas.

Both will go first to George Peckham for breaking and pre-training before entering the stable of Andrew Balding.

Ace Stud was also active as a vendor, notably with a filly by Frankel out of the multiple G1 winner Alcohol Free (No Nay Never).

The filly, consigned by Baroda Stud, initially failed to find a buyer when bidding stalled at 900.000 guineas, but was later sold privately to Bobby Flay for 800,000 guineas. She will also be trained by Balding.

Godolphin Closes with More Millions

Sheikh Mohammed’s outfit completed their extraordinary week with a final seven-figure acquisition: 2,000,000 guineas for a son of Frankel and Crystal Zvezda (Dubawi), consigned by Longview Stud.

It marked Godolphin's ninth million-guinea purchase during Book 1. The colt is a full-brother to stakes-placed Crystal Caprice, and a half-brother to another lot that topped the 2025 sale, a son of Sea The Stars also acquired by Godolphin for 3,700,000 guineas.

The pedigree page features top-level stars such as Crystal Ocean (Sea the Stars) and Hillstar (Danehill Dancer), both G1 winners.

“He is by Frankel and belongs to an extraordinary family. We have the 2-year-old colt we bought last year and we like him very much,” explained Anthony Stroud.

The agent considers that the new acquisition could show earlier precocity than his sibling. “Last year's colt was bigger and scopeyer, looking like a 2400-meter horse. This one is more compact, and I can picture him running over 1400 meters, perhaps in a race like the Dewhurst. He looks like a colt to compete at 2 and, hopefully, reach classic level.”

Godolphin also went to 1,000,000 guineas for a daughter of Night of Thunder and Cadeau Belle (Harry Angel), presented by Forenaghts Stud. The farm had already sold another colt by the same sire to Godolphin a year ago for 850,000 guineas: Nabati, recent winner of the Mill Reef Stakes (G2).

“I thought I was going to hit the floor! I'm still in shock,” commented Caoimhe Doherty, manager at Forenaghts. “I hope Godolphin achieves with her the same success they got with Nabati.”

Fewer Horses Sold, Higher Averages

The final returns for Book 1 posted figures that confirmed the strength of the European yearling market.

Gross turnover reached 126,516,000 guineas (approximately US$ 175,736,000), just 1 percent behind the 127,226,000 guineas recorded in 2025.

That minimal difference is particularly significant given that 352 yearlings were sold compared to 395 the previous year, an 11 percent drop in volume.

Despite fewer transactions, the average price rose by 12 percent to 359,420 guineas, while the median climbed nearly 10 percent to 230,000 guineas.

The clearance rate also improved, advancing from 83 to 85 percent. Action will resume on Monday, October 12, with the start of Book 2, which runs across three sessions.

Godolphin dominated the top of the market, Coolmore responded with major acquisitions, and Night of Thunderconfirmed his immense commercial appeal. Yet the finale belonged to a different story: that of a South African breeder who preferred to keep his colt and ended up topping the final session at 2,200,000 guineas. A fitting end to a week in which Tattersalls once again demonstrated the height of the market when a truly special prospect enters the ring.