The three-day St. Leger yearling sale in Doncaster, England, concluded Aug. 30 with gains across the board for the 10th consecutive year, Doncaster Bloodstock Sales reported.
The sale company reported gross of 15,008,600 guineas, up 6% from 2006; average of 35,992 guineas, up 12%; and median of 28,000 guineas, up 12%. In all, 417 sold from 467 offered; last year, 442 horses sold from 486 offered.
The sale-topper, a colt by leading first-season sire and former Doncaster graduate Acclamation, was purchased for 185,000 guineas by John Ferguson. The colt was consigned by Rathbarry Stud.
A colt by Rahy brought the second-highest price of 175,000 guineas. Consigned by Grove Stud, the colt was purchased by Richard O’Gorman.
In all, 22 horses sold for more than 100,000 guineas, up from 14 in 2006. This year, 92 horses brought more than 50,000 guineas, up from 67 last year, the sale company reported.
“We came into the week expecting a good trade, as we knew our catalog was good, but to record another 12% rise in average and median following 30% and 25% last year is truly remarkable,” Doncaster managing director Henry Beelby said in a statement. “However, there has been a really excellent buzz in the sale paddocks from last Sunday, and a huge crowd resulting in an excellent atmosphere. Frankly, we were missing no serious buyer of yearlings, and we are just so proud that the sale is taken so seriously by the industry these days.
“This consistent growth has been built on the back of a steady improvement in the quality of the yearlings we have offered, which was translated into better and better results on the racetrack, headed this year by a dual classic winner that was among four individual group 1 winners.”
