Figures rise at the DBS October Sales

The Horses in Training section of the DBS October Sales finished with increased figures across the board thanks to some spirited bidding from a truly international audience of bidders that resulted in a turnover that had increased by 23% to £1,481,300, an average that had risen by 10% to £5,611 and a median figure that had increased by 23% to £2,700.

Overturn took star billing over the two days after winning at Salisbury over 1m6f since the publication of the catalogue and he attracted plenty of interest before selling to Donald McCain Jnr for £75,000. Consigned by Walter Swinburn Racing Stables, the son of Barathea possessed all of the size, scope and stamina required to succeed under National Hunt rules and this did not go unnoticed by all of the jumping fraternity that had amassed in Doncaster but it was leading trainer Evan Williams who showed most interest for the five year old before the hammer came down in favour of the Cheshire trainer.

Tim Kent looks for another bid before Donald McCain buys Overturn for £75,000

The Group 3 winning Philario was another that was expected to take top billing before the start of the sale and he was knocked down to BBA Ireland for £50,000. The racy son of Captain Rio had won three races from his Spigot Lodge Stables base and attracted interest from many different trainers, including Mick Easterby and Derek Shaw before the hammer came down in favour of Tim Kent from DBS who was taking telephone bids from Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland.

The six year old Alexander Seaview was offered by Mount Armstrong Stud after winning a Bumper by 13lengths and finishing a close second on his hurdles debut for Willie Mullins and he attracted interest from many of the leading National Hunt agents and trainers before the hammer came down in favour of agent Harold Kirk for £40,000. The six year old son of Bob Back has been bought for an existing client and is likely to continue his career in Ireland.

George Stanners brings the hammer down on Alexander Seaview at £40,000

Newmarket trainer Neil King added to his string when buying the Chester specialist Cheshire Prince for £30,000. The five year old son of Desert Prince had won five of his six races around the Roodee and will now try his luck over hurdles for new connections.

The dispersal of horses from Findlay & Bloom suffered the unfortunate withdrawal due to injury of the highly promising Giordano Bruno but those that came under the hammer included the £30,000 purchase Aachen. The son of Rainbow Quest was consigned by Venetia Williams' Aramstone Stables and the seven time winner attracted interest from many interested parties before the hammer came down in favour of Alastair Donald from Kern/Lillingston, who also signed for Barnhill Brownie at £28,000 and Adeus Ayrton at £9,000.

Kevin Ryan's Hambleton Lodge Stables consigned the winning two year old Sejanus, who was knocked down to Al Banwan Stables for £22,000. The son of Dubai Destination had won at Wolverhampton for the Ryan stable and he will now shipped to Kuwait where he will race for his new connections.

Fellow Yorkshire trainer Richard Fahey was another whose draft was in demand and his consignment was topped by Rossini's Dancer, who was bought by David Smyly for £20,000. The four year old son of Rossini had won on three occasions for his previous trainer and is likely to pursue a career under National Hunt rules for his new connections.

Following the completion of the sale, DBS Managing Director Henry Beeby said:

'A British or Irish Sale that has recorded improved figures has been something of a rarity recently so it is with a great deal of satisfaction that we have returned increases over the last three days and, in particular, with our two day October Horses In Training Sales.

Of course it was disappointing that some of the higher profile lots either did not sell or couldn't make it to the sale but that should not take away from the lively trade generated by a large and diverse group of buyers from home and abroad who recognise the unparalleled quality and value that is so regularly provided at DBS.

That said we certainly recognise that it has been challenging at all levels of the market on all three days and that the industry has a long way to go to return to the market that existed before the financial crisis which affected us all so quickly and dramatically last year. However bloodstock trades on confidence and there have been plenty of positives in recent months and days that should allow us to view the future with a degree of pragmatic and realistic confidence.