Tattersalls

[stangs]

Currently trying to sort out a trip to the sales at Newmarket at long last. My current thinking is the Breeze Up sales end of April - I presume you can go see the horses breeze without being a trainer or serious buyer? Has anyone else been? How did you make the most of your trip?

I’m less interested in seeing horses go for stupid money, and more interested in seeing what ends up being tossed to the goes for the (comparatively) cheap / project pony market. But also just fancy surrounding myself with pretty ponies for a couple days and trying to eavesdrop on the conversations of people who know what they’re talking about.

 

[humblepie]

You can just walk round all the sales stables and surreptitiously lurk watching trot ups and horses being stood up. It is a huge complex and watching the bidding is really interesting as is deciding what you think a particular horse may reach. Watching the high value ones is fascinating particularly the auctioneer’s sales talk. I do find it sad though particularly the horses in training sales when staff are leading up horses they’ve cared for and loved. Don’t know about the breeze up itself though. The car parks are vast. Last time I was there I parked up as I had a meeting in Newmarket next to Tatts and then had a mooch round the sales on the way back and then have to find my car slightly embarrassing but did find it eventually. I stayed over in Newmarket a few years back and the other couple in the bed and breakfast didn’t own racehorses didn’t own horses etc. They used to just go and like watching the sales and then following particular horses that they spotted.

 

[Gamebird]

You're not going to see horses being bought out of racing (ie. for retraining) at the breeze-ups. These are sales for 2yos (early in their 2yo year, before they have touched a racetrack) expected to be decent horses, and at this point in their lives the dream is very much still alive, and their value is all in their potential. Specialist breeze-up producers will have bought well-bred horses at the yearling sales the previous year, then prepped them over the winter/early spring to show as much speed as possible in a short racecourse gallop ('breeze') and then sell through the ring to flat trainers (or agents, on behalf of owners). These will be precocious horses likely to get an early run and people will be hoping to spot a future Derby/Guineas horse here. Apologies if you know all this!

The HIT sales later in the year are very much a mixed bag and where you will see horses going out of training.

I haven't been to Tatts, only Goffs (Doncaster) so can't advise on logistics but certainly at Donnie there is no problem wandering around looking at things. Obviously don't be asking people to pull horses out to show you if you're not in the market!!

 

[Teaselmeg]

They breeze at Newmarket racecourse the day before. There is the Crazen Breeze up sale 13-15 April, that is the better of the two breeze up sales there.

The best sale to attend is the October Yearling Book 1 sale, that's really interesting to watch.

 

[IrishMilo]

The HIT sales later in the year are very much a mixed bag and where you will see horses going out of training.

Agree with this, go to horses in training and I think you'll have a more interesting day - you get everything ranging from peanuts to £££. Which reminds me I really should not go!

 

[stangs]

Thanks all, very helpful!

You're not going to see horses being bought out of racing (ie. for retraining) at the breeze-ups. These are sales for 2yos (early in their 2yo year, before they have touched a racetrack) expected to be decent horses, and at this point in their lives the dream is very much still alive, and their value is all in their potential. Specialist breeze-up producers will have bought well-bred horses at the yearling sales the previous year, then prepped them over the winter/early spring to show as much speed as possible in a short racecourse gallop ('breeze') and then sell through the ring to flat trainers (or agents, on behalf of owners). These will be precocious horses likely to get an early run and people will be hoping to spot a future Derby/Guineas horse here. Apologies if you know all this!

The HIT sales later in the year are very much a mixed bag and where you will see horses going out of training.

I know absolutely nothing about breeze ups beyond involving horses doing short gallops, so this was exactly the sort of information I needed, thank you.

There’s a Guineas HIT sale after the Breeze Up, but I take it that’ll still be more ‘quality’ than the later HIT sales?

They breeze at Newmarket racecourse the day before. There is the Crazen Breeze up sale 13-15 April, that is the better of the two breeze up sales there.

The best sale to attend is the October Yearling Book 1 sale, that's really interesting to watch.

Better of the breeze up sales, as in with the horses that will make more money? What’s interesting about the yearling sales (genuine question, not being sarcastic)?

 

[Teaselmeg]

Thanks all, very helpful!


I know absolutely nothing about breeze ups beyond involving horses doing short gallops, so this was exactly the sort of information I needed, thank you.

There’s a Guineas HIT sale after the Breeze Up, but I take it that’ll still be more ‘quality’ than the later HIT sales?


Better of the breeze up sales, as in with the horses that will make more money? What’s interesting about the yearling sales (genuine question, not being sarcastic)?

The Craven is generally the better bred horses, yes they make a bit more money. The yearling sales are interesting to watch if you want to see the excitement of the million pound yearlings being sold. It is the best yearling sale in the world, everyone is there.