Big things are happening in the wild world of yearling sales

Spear's Magazine

Factuality

Ownership

Big things are happening in the wild world of yearling sales

It is one of racing's many idiosyncrasies that the price of bloodstock is still measured in guineas. A guinea is worth £1.05, or 21 shillings in old money. The 5p, or shilling, was traditionally the auctioneer’s 5 per cent commission. When a man with a hammer sells you something in guineas, he is politely saying, ‘Oi! Hands off my fee!’ Why this applies to racehorses and not to everything else that is sold at auction (eg cars and brown furniture…