Those of us attending the sales each year go with one thing - hope. With the chances of actually securing a profit on your investment a rather low percentage, the majority (although not saying so publicly for fear of being institutionalised) maintain the elusive dream - of winning the lottery and actually buying a horse that will eventually supply a win at the highest level. But do we have as much chance as any other, despite the money outlaid for yearlings?

Consider those - like us - who attend sales in the Northern Hemisphere, the same dreams are there only they have to contend with the might of Coolmore, the Maktoums, Juddmonte et al and the massive amounts paid for yearlings.

Surely the dream of purchasing a Group 1 winner against such might is virtually zero.

Or is it?

Attached is a list of the Group 1 winners in England/Ireland and France this year. What is interesting is those that were purchased at public auction. Does the more you pay give you the better chance of securing a win at Group 1 level? On this year’s results, maybe not. The attached Excel spreadsheet contains the following information for the 2005 season (April - November):

1. Race name and date
2. Winner's name
3. Purchase price/sale name
4. Sire
5. Country
6. Racecourse
7. Distance
8. Age
9. Race prize-money

Copyright vests in Athlone & Associates Ltd (just contact us if you wish to print it).

European%20Gr%201%20winners.xls