A son of Irish-based stallion Acclamation topped the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale at 140,000 guineas on a day that saw five horses sell for 100,000 guineas or more compared with only two at last year's yearling sale.
The sale saw 167 horses sell for a total of 3,595,300 guineas ($6,049,452), at an average of 21,529 guineas ($36,224), and a median of 13,000 guineas ($21,874). Despite the increase in six-figure horses, average was down 14.3% (not factoring conversion rates).
The one-day yearling sale topper was an Acclamation colt who was knocked down by Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock manager John Ferguson for 140,000 guineas ($235,564) after he saw off the efforts of Charlie Gordon-Watson standing alongside trainer Ed Dunlop.
Consigned from Rathbarry Stud, the colt is out of the stakes-placed Barathea mare Musical Bar, herself a half sister to European champion and English (Eng-I) and Irish (Ire-I) One Thousand Guineas winner Finsceal Beo; plus Frozen Power, winner of the German 2,000 Guineas (Ger-I) for Godolphin Racing.
"He is a very athletic type, who could easily be a 2-year-old," Ferguson said. "He is from a family that has been lucky for us and for many others, and is from a very good farm which consistently breeds good horses."
Tattersalls December continues on Nov. 28 with the foal sale, which concludes Dec. 1. The December breeding stock sale will be from Dec. 3-6.