Book 2 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale enjoyed a surge in business during its second session. The results Oct. 16 in England included a gross that increased 7.1% from a year ago to 9,300,500 guineas ($15,679,335 in U.S. funds). The average price grew 12.8% to 44,714 guineas ($75,382) while the median price rose 16.7% to 35,000 guineas ($59,005).
The clearance rate was 86.7% compared to 88.3% in 2011. The number of horses that were sold fell to 208 from 219 last year.
A son of Shamardal topped the session, bringing 245,000 guineas ($413,035). Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock purchased the bay colt.
"He is from a tough family and looks tough," Ross Doyle said. "He is for an undisclosed client and goes into training with Richard Hannon. He is a lovely-moving horse with a pedigree and looks. We thought he was the week’s standout."
The yearling is a half brother to Imperial Guest (by Imperial Dancer), who captured the 2008 Racingpost.com Doncaster Stakes in England. They are out of the winning Desert Prince mare Princess Speedfit. She is a half sister to Sibling Rival (by Quest for Fame), who triumphed in the 1998 Prix de la Porte de Madrid in France. Sibling Rival also finished second in three French added-money events, two of which were group II stakes.
Yeomanstown Stud consigned the session-topping colt after purchasing him last year for 32,000 guineas ($52,530) from Ringfort Stud, agent, at the Tattersalls December foal sale.