Wednesday 13th January 2010
Huge turn-out for Tattersalls Millions
Prosser - thrilled by Tattersalls Millions entry
A bumper entry of 408 two-year-olds, with purchase prices ranging from 5,000 guineas through to 700,000 guineas, has been made for the Tattersalls Millions, a series of eight races offering a total of £1.75 million in prize money.
All of the races, run both this year and next over distances from six to 10 furlongs, will take place at Newmarket and the Tattersalls Millions is the most extensive sales race series ever run in the Northern Hemisphere.
The races are only open to horses from Book 1 of the 2009 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and owners will pay a total of £4,000 for their horses to run.
The first race, the £100,000 Tattersalls Millions Fillies’ Auction Stakes, will be run over six furlongs at Newmarket’s July Course on 28th August while the eighth and final race in the series takes place over 10 furlongs at the end of June, 2011.
“I think that expanding the series to eight races is a great help to owners - it gives more opportunities, especially for the three-year-olds - and the variety of distances is also a great incentive,” said Harry Herbert, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Managing Director.
“We have been fortunate to win Tattersalls sales races with Tiger Eye and Tamarisk in the past and they are great to have a crack at. The fact that there are now eight races makes the concept even more appealing.”
The 700,000 guineas Book 1 sale-topper, an Oasis Dream colt trained by Aidan O’Brien for Derrick Smith, is the dearest entry although those engaged cover a full spectrum of prices.
George Washington’s as yet unnamed only foal, a filly bought for 320,000 guineas by owner Julie Wood and in training with Richard Hannon, has been entered. Meanwhile, also engaged is a Danehill Dancer three-parts brother to George Washington in training with William Haggas.
Newmarket's Director of Racing Michael Prosser said: "I am thrilled by the initial entry for the Tattersalls Millions series, which is open to all horses that were catalogued in Book 1 of last year's Tattersalls October Yearling Sales.
"The increase in numbers is especially satisfying and indicates that the new formula has captured the imagination of owners and trainers alike.
"The series, which was first staged in 2008, has evolved to offer substantial prize funds over a number of different stages.
"I am particularly excited about the inaugural £150,000 Tattersalls Millions 3yo Trophy, which will be held at the 2011 Craven meeting.
"This valuable race offers three-year-old sprinters an ideal starting-point for their campaigns and I'm sure will be a very useful addition to the programme book."
Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented: “We are delighted with the number of entries for the £1,750,000 Tattersalls Millions. To have more than 400 entries is a wonderful endorsement of the all new Tattersalls Millions which is the best value sales race series ever devised in Europe.
“When we made the changes to the Tattersalls Millions last year we were aiming to produce a series which allowed horses from all levels of Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale to compete for six figure prize money and it is terrific that owners have supported it so wholeheartedly.”
