The Tattersalls February mixed sale on Feb. 3 in Newmarket, England, posted a 68.9% gain in its gross revenue and a 51.2% increase in its average price. The median price rose 28.6%.
The clearance rate grew to 79.2% from 63.1% in 2010.
Full Steam, a 4-year-old Oasis Dream filly, brought the top price of 160,000 guineas ($271,629 in U.S. funds). Bloodstock agent Tony Nerses purchased her on behalf of Saleh Al Homaizi from Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms.
BBA Ireland’s Patrick Cooper was the immediate underbidder.
"I came without a real plan in mind, and walked away with her," Nerses said. "She will be a welcome addition to the stud. She has a decent pedigree which is hard to get into and she is well-rated.
"I have not got a mate in mind for her, but she was easily the standout to me. She is a very pretty mare."
Full Steam is a half sister to the winner Calm (by Montjeu). They are out of the winning Gone West mare Western Appeal, who finished third in the 2000 Prix de Saint-Cyr in France. Western Appeal is full sister to the European champion Zafonic.
The results for the auction included a gross of 1,672,300 guineas ($2,839,032) for the 164 horses that were sold. The average was 10,197 guineas ($17,311) and the median was 4,500 guineas ($7,640).
“It is always good to make a positive start to the year and the 2011 Tattersalls February sale has produced improved figures across the board and lively international trade from start to finish,” said Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony. “Turnover, average, and median have all made significant gains over last year and the clearance rate is the highest ever at this sale.
“Another positive indicator was the 160,000-guinea Juddmonte Farms sale-topper Full Steam,” Mahony continued. “Not only was she the second-highest-priced filly ever sold at the February sale, but also a clear demonstration of the enduring demand for quality bloodstock which has been the feature of today’s trade. Without doubt the market remains testing and we all continue to face plenty of challenges, but the crowd of buyers at Tattersalls today should be a source of encouragement for the industry.”