Australian buyers have again made their mark at Newmarket, with several high-profile stables adding new European talent on the opening day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale.
Ciaron Maher, Chris Waller and Henry Dwyer were all active, securing well-credentialed imports with an eye toward next year’s major staying contests.
Maher’s head of bloodstock, Will Bourne, set the tone early when going to 325,000gns (approx. A$694,000) to secure Mukhtalif, a lightly-raced and progressive colt previously trained by William Haggas.
Mukhtalif arrives in Australia off a career-best last-start win at York and brings an appealing pedigree. The Shadwell-bred son of Muhaarar is out of Listed winner Maqsad (by Siyouni) and hails from the same family as Prix de Diane champion Aquarelliste.
“He’s progressive and, having inspected the horse, you can see he’s a beautiful animal,” Bourne said after signing the ticket alongside agent Billy Jackson-Stops.
Further additions from Maher, Waller and Dwyer over the course of the sale will continue to strengthen the Australian staying pool, with the Tattersalls Autumn Sale long recognised as a key sourcing ground for successful spring imports.