Sadler's Wells Filly Top Seller As Part 1 of Tattersalls Yearling Auction Ends

Part one of Tattersalls' new-look October yearling sale, which ended Friday, realized a total 52,631,500 guineas for 512 head sold at an average of 102,795 guineas and median of 70,000 guineas. The clearance rate was 72%.

Sale company official will only make comparisons with 2003 after next week's October Part two yearling sale is complete.

There was no doubting Friday's star of the show -- a Sadler's Wells filly out of Shouk (by Shirley Heights), consigned through Timmy Hyde's Camas Park Stud. The filly had a major pedigree update nine days ago when her three-parts sister Magical Romance (by Barathea) won the Cheveley Park Stakes (Eng-I).

BBA Ireland's Adrian Nicoll outbid Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum's racing manager, Angus Gold, for the filly at 420,000 guineas. She was bought for an undisclosed client.

Edmond Mahony, Tattersalls' chairman, commented: "It is difficult to make comparisons with last year, and of course we will have a further 1,300 yearlings to come next week before a truly accurate picture will emerge, but overall it has been a satisfactory transition away from the previous format.

"The very top of the market has not matched last year when we sold a record number of seven-figure yearlings, but as ever, smart individuals have not been short of admirers. And the leading buyers in the European market have yet again made a significant impact throughout the week, as have new faces from Japan and Hong Kong.

"Having moved away from the 'select sale' format we would have liked to have seen more trainers involved from the very start of proceedings, but as the week has progressed they have become increasingly active and part two of the sale has plenty more to offer."

Part two of the sale begins on Monday.