A son of Danehill Dancer topped the opening day of the Tattersalls Craven breeze up sale, bringing 170,000 guineas ($284,116 in U.S. funds) April 18 in England.
Ross Doyle of Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock purchased the chestnut 2-year-old from Eddie O’Leary’s Lynn Lodge Stud. The winning bidder had to fight off Stephen Hillen, who was standing alongside trainer Kevin Ryan.
The colt is out of the winning Barathea mare Oshiponga. He is a half brother to 2007 Weatherbys Superlative Stakes (Eng-II) winner Hatta Fort (by Cape Cross).
Mags O’Toole bought the colt for 52,000 guineas ($86,284) from Wellsummers Stud, agent, at the 2011 Tattersalls December yearling sale.
The results for the opening day included a gross of 3,430,000 guineas ($5,732,475) for the 54 juveniles that were sold. The average price was 63,519 guineas ($106,158) and the median price was 54,500 guineas ($91,084). Compared to last year, when 59 horses were sold, the gross and average declined 21.9% and 14.7%, respectively. The median fell 9.2%.
The clearance rate was 71.1%, down from 72% in 2011.