How a ‘perfect storm’ impacted the summer yearling sales in Doncaster and Newmarket

Britain has just hosted two of the most significant yearling sales in the European calendar. There were plenty of headline results among the transactions, and if the past is any guide we will have almost certainly witnessed some major talents changing hands. 

However, by the last of the four sessions that made up the Goffs UK Premier and Tattersalls Somerville sales, there was a sense that the market had run out of steam. In simple terms, supply exceeded demand. 

Before we delve a little deeper, a disclaimer: the aim of this column is not to doom-monger nor apportion blame. In an industry that is underpinned by boundless optimism, there is a tendency to shy away from uncomfortable truths. Given the nature of thoroughbred breeding, there are times when that is probably a sensible approach.