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The Tattersalls December Foal Sale concluded with a strong final session and eleven six figure lots which resulted in increases in turnover, average and median for the four-day auction.
The final session saw 146 lots sold for 4,985,200 guineas, at an average of 34,145 guineas and a median of 20,000 guineas.
Over the four days a total of 665 lots sold for 23,860,100 guineas at an average of 35,880 guineas and a median of 21,000 guineas. When compared with the 2010 sale, the 2011 renewal saw turnover increase 36%, the average increase 15% and the median rise 5%.
John Ferguson signed for the top lot on the final day of the Foal Sale when he went to 220,000 guineas to secure the Teofilo colt out of the Kalanisi mare Stairway To Glory, a sister to the G1 Irish Oaks winner Shawanda.
Ferguson, acting on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation, finished the sale as the leading buyer, having signed for 20 lots for a total of 2,096,000 guineas.
Shadwell Estates' Angus Gold, acting for Sheikh Mohammed's brother Sheikh Hamdan was also very active this week, buying a total of 6 lots for 1,007,000 guineas.
That included the top priced filly on the final day of 200,000 guineas for the Invincible Spirit daughter of the King's Best mare Liscune.
The filly is a full-sister to the highly regarded Roger Varian-trained Ektihaam who races in the Hamdan silks and is high in the market for next year's 2000 Guineas after two impressive wins and an unplaced effort in the Dewurst Stakes.
Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony commented: “Demand for yearlings drives the foal market and the strength of our October Yearling Sale gave the British and Irish bloodstock industry a real lift and a sense of renewed confidence which has been evident throughout this week.
“Pinhookers from all over Europe and further afield, combined with many of the world's leading owners, have been active at all levels of the market and between them have contributed to a highly successful sale.
“While the figures are understandably still shy of the 2006/2007 peak they are the third best this century and an amazing tribute to the resilience and professionalism of the bloodstock industry.”
The Tattersalls December Mare Sale begins on Monday.