Opening day of the Doncaster premier yearling sale Aug. 27 was headlined by colt from the first crop of Fast Company that sold for the highest price of £210,000 ($326,451 in United States funds).
The first of the two-session sale showed gains in three key statistical categories, including an 8% rise in total receipts, a 10% rise in average price, and an 11% gain in median.
Overall, 222 horses sold for an aggregate £6,913,250 ($10,748,835). The average price was £31,141 ($48,418) and median was £26,000 ($40,424).
The clearance rate was a robust 90%.
Nicolas de Watrigant's Mandore International Agency outbid Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager, Angus Gold, to secure the session-topping Fast Company colt out of the winning Fantastic Light mare Tawaafur. The youngster was offered by Glacken View, Ireland.
De Watrigant was bidding on behalf of Sheikh Joaan Al Thani of Qatar.
"He was the best horse at the sale-—an absolute standout—and I just fell in love with him," de Watrigant told Racing Post. "He's for Sheikh Joaan and is the first horse he has ever bought at this sale. He will be trained by Richard Hannon."
Six horses sold for six figures at the opening session.
Bloodstock agent David Redvers went to the day's second-highest price of £130,000 ($202,122) for a Dark Angel filly out of the Green Desert mare Thawrah. The gray filly is a full sister to group III winner Heerat and a half sister to stakes winner Ambiance, who was group III-placed.
She was consigned by Rossenara Stud.
Earlier in the day, Adrian Nicoll of BBA Ireland bought a Dutch Art filly for £120,000 ($186,553), the day's third-highest price.
The filly is out of the unraced Petong mare Petong's Pet, a full sister to group II winner Petardia from the family of U.S. graded stakes winner Teacher's Pet, who was group I-placed in France.
Nicoll outbid Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell Estate Co. and trainer John Gosden for the filly, who was offered by Houghton Bloodstock for Colin Murfitt's Pantile Stud.
Petong's Pet has produced five previous foals, among them two winners from three to race, including 10-time winning sprinter Aubrietia, also by Dutch Art.
"She's for a partnership with David Wachman" Nicoll told Racing Post about the bay filly. "We thought she was one of the best fillies here, but we were at our limit. She's a real athlete, a gorgeous filly."
Ireland's Ballyhane Stud led all consignors, selling five horses for £236,000 ($366,729), including a colt by current leading first-season sire Dandy Man for £100,000 ($155,392).
Bought by Highfield Farm, the colt is out of the winning Marju mare Lucayan Beauty from the extended family of U.S. grade I winner Kiri's Clown, elite Japanese miler Eishin Apollon, and U.A.E group I winner Master of Hounds, a former U.S. classic starter.
Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell Estate Co. was the leading buyer, with 10 horses for £662,000 ($1,028,680), led by an Intikhab colt out of the Pivotal mare Pikaboo for £90,000 ($139,851).
The colt, offered by John Troy, agent, is a half brother to recent English group II winner Lucky Kristale. Pikaboo is a half sister to group II winner and sire Arabian Gleam.
The sale continues Aug. 28 with the second and final session.
