Day one of Doncaster’s St. Leger sale -- Britain’s first yearling auction of 2008 -- produced figures short of their 2007 equivalents Aug. 26. The gross of £4,738,000 (approximately $8,761,415) for the 139 yearlings sold, fell 12.6%. The £34,086 ($63,031) average dropped 9.5%, and the £25,000 ($46,230) median dipped 8.4%.
Dubai-based owner Malih Al Basti held off Angus Gold, racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan, for the day’s top lot. a £220,000 ($406,820) Dubawi -- Hasten colt (a 55,000-guinea Tattersalls December foal purchase) consigned from Charlie and Tracy Vigors’ Hillwood Stud.
Al Basti’s purchase will be sent to Raffin Stud to develop before training plans are finalized. The owner’s British trainers are Richard Hannon, Kevin Ryan, Henry Cecil, and Karl Burke.
Newmarket agent Dick O’Gorman, who frequently buys for Sheikh Mohammed, paid £180,000 ($332,852) for an Acclamation – It Takes Two colt consigned from Brian Grassick’s Newtown Stud. The yearling will be trained by John Gosden.
Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Stud bought another Acclamation colt, offered from Rathbarry Stud, for £150,000 ($277,377). Training plans have still to be finalized for the yearling, which is out of New Deal.