The Tattersalls July Sale concluded on Friday when North Yorkshire trainer Ruth Carr topped Day 4 with a 35,000 guineas bid for Raqeeb.  He was consigned by Shadwell Estates and had been placed in his last four starts at Pontefract, Haydock Park, Salisbury and Beverley.

Raqeeb (3c Seeking The Gold – Sayedah by Darshaan) is a homebred for Sheikh Hamdan.  His dam was a G2 winner of the 2000 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket.  Carr purchased him on behalf of owner John Nixon.

“I liked Raqeeb’s form and he stood out in the paddock,” Carr said.  “John has had no luck with his horses.  They have either been slow, injured or crazy so I hope this one does better for him.”

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony reported the July Sale grossed 5.83 million guineas at average of 12,284 guineas.  The clearance rate was 84%.

“In the current economic climate any bloodstock sale that posts increases has to be viewed in a positive light,” Mahony said.  “The obvious highlight of the sale was the new record price of 460,000 guineas for Business As Usual which exceeded the previous mark of 380,000 guineas.   

“The truly cosmopolitan crowd added depth to the sale from start to finish.  The current weakness of sterling offers almost unprecedented value for overseas buyers.  That should continue to act as an incentive at the forthcoming October Yearling Sales.”