SOUL OF SPORT: Inside the pageantry and parades at Newmarket’s famous Tattersalls auction as buyers eye up future champions. ANDY HOOPER captures the sales as the hammer comes down
- The infamous Tattersalls auction at Newmarket returned last week with buyers seeking out future champions
- Top trainers are looking to re-stock and a number of famous faces from the racing world gathered together
- Mail Sport’s ANDY HOOPER has been on the ground to capture the best moments with stunning photography
Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. For our latest episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER has lifted the curtain on the money-spinning Tattersalls auction.
A who’s who of the biggest names in the racing world flocked to Newmarket last week and splashed significant amounts of cash on future champions.
The sales, established by Richard Tattersall in 1776, are steeped in rich history and provide top trainers with the chance to re-stock with beautifully bred horses.
Our man ANDY HOOPER has been on the ground to capture the best moments as the hammer came down.
The photos were taken using a Nikon Z9 camera with 12mm, 14-35mm and 70-200mm lenses.
The morning bell was rung at Newmarket, signalling the beginning of sales that enticed a who’s who of the racing world
Buyers carefully studied data on the horses before deciding whether to bid, their focus on snapping up future champions
A chestnut colt by Frankel, out of the mara Bahia Breeze, is adorned with the number 255 during the October Yearling Sale
Michael Owen, who owns his own stables, cast his eye over several horses before sales began, pondering over potential buys
Spectators took a break from proceedings with the business of bidding progressing at a rapid pace at the infamous auction
Trainer David O’Loughlin took a moment to study a horse alongside Lady Carolyn Warren from the Highclere Stud
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (right), Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, was present for the sale
Auctioneers brought the hammer down on numerous sales with countless ‘guineas’ splashed out by a host of bidders
Horses were led around a ring and showcased to potential buyers before the numbers began to turn over at a ferocious speed
Former jockey Willie Carson (second from left) watched on at the pre-parade ring as several horses were led past him
Some spectators opted to take a quiet moment to themselves outside the auction to escape the hustle, bustle and the noise
Buyer Paul Shanahan (centre) of Coolmore Stud, one of the world’s largest breeding operations, was present at the auction
Buyers often took the chance to head outside and look at horses, taking note of the data before making their decisions
Sales were also held outside with the outside auctioneer often finding themselves at the heart of the real action
A horse is silhouetted in the sun in the parade ring as potential bidders watched on and pondered over putting down money
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, also Ruler of Dubai, was also spotted watching the horses in the pre-parade ring
Buyers studied the exact numbers of the horses up for auction, helping them to make informed choices during the sales
The numbers for lot 237 are displayed on a screen inside the auction ring with an auctioneer taking buyers through the drama
Alan Brazil, a renowned horse racing fanatic, also attended the sales and continues to keep a keen eye on the sport
Auctioneer John O’Kelly is pictured in the flow of the action on what ultimately proved to be a hectic day for all involved
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