The highest priced lot for the day was the 115,000 guineas paid for the Johannesburg yearling colt out of the listed-placed Wolfhound mare Rozel. Consigned by Kirsten Rausing's St. Simon Stud in Newmarket,, the colt, which is closely related to last year's group II Champagne Stakes winner Etlaala, saw initial interest from Italian agent Alberto Panetta and Tattersalls' Greek representative, Chris Imirziadis. Irish agent John O'Byrne, accompanied by Paul Shanahan and Tom Magnier, soon entered the fray and they were joined by Yeomanstown Stud's Gay O'Callaghan, standing alongside Paddy Twomey.As the price soared towards six figures, only O'Callaghan and O'Byrne remained and as the hammer went down, it was O'Callaghan who proved triumphant with his bid of 115,000 guineas. The price shattered the previous yearling record of 34,000 guineas. O'Callaghan indicated that the colt, which is from the first crop of Johannesburg, would be re-offered at Part 1 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale. The multiple stakes-winning 9-year-old mare Silver Bandanna brought 95,000 guineas to set the sale record for a broodmare. Consigned by Kingwood Stud on behalf of Mountgrange Stud, the daughter of Silver Buck was offered in foal to Oasis Dream. Silver Bandanna, who is out of the High Line mare Datum Line, is from the same family as group I Irish Oaks winner Pure Grain and two-time group I Lockinge Stakes winner Soviet Line. The battle to secure Silver Bandanna soon settled down to a head-to-head duel between Hedsor Stud's Tim Lock and local bloodstock agent Larry Stratton, with the latter prevailing on behalf of an Irish stud. "At present, the February sale may only be small, but this is a sale very much on the upgrade, and today's trade has provided a wonderful start to 2005," said Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony. "We have seen wide margin records across the board, with average, median and turnover all breaking new ground, as well as individual sale records for both a yearling and a broodmare.
"The February Sale is only in its sixth year but has already carved a niche in the European sales calendar, thanks largely to much valued support from our vendors, including many of Europe's major owner/breeders. This year's catalogue was the largest since the sale began and it has attracted interest from throughout Europe and further afield. The success of today's sale has shown that the February sale has a real future, and we look forward to continuing to build on this in the years to come."