THE second edition of the rebranded Tattersalls Ascot Yearling Sale built on the foundations laid at the inaugural sale, though it still proved to be a selective market.

This was hardly surprising given the huge numbers of yearlings yet to see a sale ring this autumn.

The median figure was unchanged, while the average grew by seven points and the aggregate showed a healthy advance of 39%.

This was on the back of a much larger catalogue, but the clearance rate fell slightly, reflecting the continuing selectivity of the market.

No Nay Never’s galloping start at stud ensured that his stock on show were well received and he was responsible for the top-priced colt and one of the two best fillies on the day.

Peter Nolan Bloodstock acted for breeder Geoff Turnbull when selling a son of the four-time winner Duchess Of Gazeley to Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock for £46,000. The dam is a half-sister to the Alan King-trained Just In Time and the sale-topper will now join King.

Jamie Railton was agent for the sale of the well-related No Nay Never filly out of the stakes-winning Sadler’s Wells mare Amethyst for £42,000. She was purchased by bloodstock agent Billy Jackson-Stops on behalf of the Qatar-based Al Rabban Racing.

PINHOOKED

The filly was pinhooked from Goffs last November where she cost €12,000. Amethyst was runner-up in the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas and is a full-sister to the classic winner King Of Kings.

Matching that £42,000 sale price was another filly, Trickledown Stud’s daughter of Dandy Man out of the stakes winner and Grade 1 fourth Hucking Hot. From the family of the Coventry Stakes winner Hellvelyn, she caught the attention of Ross Doyle who had the final say when beating Alastair Donald to secure her.

Another star on the day from Jamie Railton’s consignment was his son of Dutch Art out of the two-year-old winner Expect, a daughter of Invincible Spirit.

Expect is a half-sister to Don’t Touch, himself a son of Dutch Art and a stakes winner too.

This is the immediate family of Group 1 winner Echelon and her daughter Integral and Thomond O’Mara secured the colt, through Howson and Houldsworth Bloodstock, for £40,000. He will be breezed next spring.

Rathasker Stud supported the sale in numbers and sold seven of the eight yearlings they brought. Best of their draft was a filly by Bungle Inthejungle, another sire who has made an explosive start to his stud career.

This physical standout is from a winner-producing family, and the only blacktype performer in five generations on the page is the filly’s stakes-placed half-brother Something Lucky.

Federico Barberini was listed as the purchaser at £36,000, though she was bought by trainer Jamie Osborne on spec.

David Barron’s Harrowgate Bloodstock was active at the top end of the market and made a pair of significant purchases. The trainer gave £32,000 for Owdeswell Stud’s son of Brazen Beau out of a juvenile winning half-sister to the Group 1 St Leger runner-up The Geezer, having earlier paid £30,000 for Genesis Green Stud’s Shooting To Win half-brother to three winners.

Bloodstock agent Federico Barberini was on the mark for Bearstone Stud’s Pastoral Pursuits colt, a half-brother to current winner Suitcase ‘N’ Taxi, at £28,000, while Culworth Grounds Farm completed the top 10 lots at the sale with their son of Dandy Man selling to Five Star Bloodstock for £24,000, and their colt by Gregorian realising £22,000 to Gill Richardson.

PROGRESSION

Sales director Richard Pugh commented at the day’s conclusion: “We are very pleased with the progression of the Tattersalls Ascot Yearling Sale. Only in its second year, the sale has developed a reputation as a creditable choice for both selling and purchasing yearlings.

“This was evident from the vendors who chose the sale to offer their consignments, along with the much increased number of trainers and agents who were present and active over the last two days. It is fair to acknowledge that the market remains selective and there has been plenty of demand for the choice lots.

“We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all our clients who have helped develop a platform for this sale.”