Trade was selective at Tattersalls’ one-day December yearling sale in England Nov. 24 as 44.9% of the 187 horses offered failed to find new homes.
The 133 yearlings that sold grossed 1,997,000 guineas, down 49% from a year ago. The the 19,388-guinea average price was down 30%, and the 8,500-guinea median price dropped 43%.
The top lot - a Sinndar half-sister to 2002 Sagitta One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) third finisher Alasha (by Barathea) -- realized 280,000 euros at the Goffs Million sale and was reoffered by breeder Barronstown Stud, making, 170,000 gunieas. Agent Liam Norris, buying for trainer William Knight, held off Charlie Gordon-Watson in the bidding for the yearling, which is out of the Darshaan mare Alasana.
A Mizzen Mast half-brother to grade I-placed Millie’s Quest (by Quest for Fame) was bought by Dubai-based owner Jaber Abdullah through agent Gill Richardson for 140,000 guineas. Mille's Quest captured the Lake George Stakes (gr. IIIT) and was third in the Garden City Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IT) in 2000. Produced from the Taufan mare Millie’s Choice, the colt was consigned by John Troy.
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
YEAR CAT OFFERED SOLD GROSS AVG MEDIAN
2008 237 187 103 1,997,000 19,388 8,500
2007 284 217 143 4,086,300 28,576 15,000