Tattersalls December Foal Sale Starts Slowly

The Tattersalls December Foal Sale opening session at Newmarket Wednesday was off significantly from the record sale of a year ago.

The 1,061,000gns turnover was down 25% on 2003, the 6,278gns average fell by 21% and the 3,700gns median dropped 26%.

Officials said it was misleading to compare the results to last year's record-breaking sale, noting that action was brisk and that the best foals are to be offered at Friday and Saturday.

A 44,000gns son of Royal Applause (GB) (Waajib) topped Wednesday's session. The colt, offered by Norfolk-based Charlie Mason's Silfield Bloodstock, was bought by agent Larry Stratton on behalf of a pinhooking partnership.

Silfield Bloodstock purchased the colt 'in utero' inside his dam Waft (Topsider) for 17,500gns at the same venue a year ago.

COMPARATIVE FIGURES
YR/CAT/OFF/SOLD/AGG/AVG/MED
2004/290/233/169/1,061,000/6,278/3,700
2003/289/235/179/1,421,900/7,943/5,000