The strong trade seen on the opening day of the Tattersalls December foal sale continued into the second session, which saw an increase in the standard of pedigree and subsequently, the prices realized for the select lots.
Three lots sold for 100,000 guineas or more during the second session in the space of 13 lots while the day totals saw 184 lots sell for 4,531,100 guineas. The average of 24,626 guineas and median of 17,750 guineas represented small falls on the corresponding session in 2009 while the clearance for the day was an impressive 83%.
The top lot on the second day was a Pivotal filly out of the listed-placed Dr Fong mare Mystery Ocean who was knocked down to Cheveley Park Stud’s Chris Richardson for 140,000 guineas. The filly, who was consigned from David and Juliet Minton’s Mill House Stud in Shropshire, is a three-parts sister to the Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) second Penkenna Princess.
It was Cheveley Park Stud’s first December Foal Sale purchase in six years, and following his bid Richardson commented: "This is a very nice filly and we are very pleased to be able to support Pivotal. This pedigree has already worked well with Pivotal through Penkenna Princess."
Richardson is certainly an enthusiast for the family, having purchased this filly’s Acclamation half-sister at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 85,000 guineas.
The first lot to break the six-figure barrier at this year’s renewal of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale was a Cape Cross colt out of the Mark Of Esteem mare Honorine. Consigned from Paul and Sara Thorman’s Trickledown Stud on behalf of Ashley House Stud, the colt is a half-brother to this year’s group II Royal Lodge third Treasure Beach. Richardson secured the colt on behalf of Jon and Julia Aisbitt for 120,000 guineas.