Record Price at Tattersalls Ireland Yearling Sale

A colt from the first crop of High Chaparral set a record for Tattersalls Ireland's September yearling sale when bought for 225,000 euros by jockey John Egan on behalf of owner Willie McKay.

Out of the Caerleon mare Whisper Light, the colt was offered through Bill Dwan's Castlebridge consignment and bred by Ennistown Stud.

British-based Tim Pitt, who trained dual group 1-winning sprinter Les Arcs for McKay this year, will take charge of the colt. It was the highest price ever paid at the sale.

An unprecedented eight yearlings made six figures on the sale's opening day Tuesday, helping lift the gross by 22% to 6,129,000 euros while the 28,898 euros average was up 18% and the 24,000 euros median rose by 14%. There were 252 catalogued with 229 offered and 205 purchased in the ring.

Trainer Jamie Osborne led the way on day two of the sale, spending 80,000 euros on a half-brother to three winners by leading first-season sire Invincible Spirit.

Brian Williamson bred the colt, who was consigned through Brendan Holland's Grove Stud and had been bought 'in utero' inside his dam, Chatterberry, for just 10,000 guineas at Tattersalls' 2004 December sale.

The day's statistics were 202 catalogued ( 233 in 2005), 187 (217) offered, 147 (79%) sold (167 – 77%) for 2,637,800 euros, up 35% (1,953,200 euros), with an average 17,944 euros, up 53% (11,696 euros) and a median of 14,000 euros, up 40% (10,000 euros).

The final day of the sale is Sept. 7.