THERE was a disappointing start to the sale year for Osarus when they staged their Breeze-Up and Horses In Training Sale at La Teste on Wednesday.

A poor clearance rate of 55% saw just 33 of the 60 two-year-old selling, and while the median of €14,000 and an average of €18,567 were up slightly on last year, a reduced catalogue saw the aggregate decline by 44%.

Richard Venn Bloodstock paid €77,000 for the sale-topping daughter of Wootton Bassett from Haras du Saubouas. This half-sister to three winners is out of the winning Keltos mare Tenepia and she will now join Richard Fahey, who trained her sire, and will carry the colours of Middleham Park Racing.

The same vendors also sold a daughter of Penny’s Picnic to Christophe Ferland for €60,000. The sire has his first runners this year and the filly is the first produce of the winner Danoya, a daughter of Raven’s Pass.

The best priced colt was Haras de Saint Arnoult’s Rajsaman son of the winning Key Of Luck mare Boliche. He will race for Gerard Augustin-Normand following his €40,000 sale to Mandore International and Sylvain Vidal.