Sheikh Mohammed topped trade at the Tattersalls December breeding stock sale for a third consecutive day, paying 1.8 million guineas for Lady Marian (by Nayef), winner of this year’s Prix de l’Opera (Fr-I), Dec. 3 in England.
John Ferguson -- representing Dubai’s ruler -- had purchased Saoirse Abu for 1.95 million guineas Dec. 1 and Princesse Dansante for 1.7 million guineas Dec. 2. But unlike that pair, which will join the Darley broodmare band, Lady Marian is set to continue racing next season for the Godolphin stable.
Ferguson was the immediate underbidder Dec. 3 for the second highest-priced lot, Lancashire Oaks (Eng-II) winner Anna Pavlova (by Danehill Dancer), who was bought for 650,000 guineas by agent Cecil Seaman for Andreas Putsch, owner of Haras de Saint Pair du Mont in Northern France.
Charlie Gordon-Watson bought the well-bred Sanwa (by Monsun) for 400,000 guineas on behalf of the second Breeding Capital investment partnership. BBA Ireland’s Dirk Eisele was the immediate underbidder.
The gross for the third session was 7,417,200 guineas (for the 160 horses sold), up 1% from last year. The 46,358-guineas average price increased 18%, but the the 13,000-guinea median price plunged 54%. The clearance rate was 69%.
The fourth and final session of the Tattersalls December breeding stock sale is scheduled for Dec. 4.