The Tattersalls July sale got off to a solid start with a median price that equaled the amount posted during the opening session of last year’s auction. The other results July 10 in England included a gross that was down only 3.3% and an average price that declined only 2%.
Flag Day, a 3-year-old unraced daughter of Pivotal, brought 115,000 guineas ($182,819 in U.S. funds) to top the session, which featured breeding stock. Bred and consigned by Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley operation, the bay filly was purchased by bloodstock agent Amanda Skiffington for Oakgrove Stud’s John Deer.
Produced from 1995 European champion Blue Duster (by Danzig), Flag Day is a half sister to winners Blue Leader (by Cadeaux Genereux) and Blue Symphony (by Darshaan).
The 147 horses that sold during the sale’s opening session grossed 1,818,900 guineas ($2,891,564) and averaged 12,373 guineas ($19,670). The median price was 5,000 guineas ($7,949).
The clearance rate of 74.6% was down from 2009, when 81% (149) of the horses offered found new homes. The rate for 2010 does not include six private sales reported by Tattersalls.
