WITH no outstanding lots included in the catalogue, trade at the Tattersalls Ireland Ascot June Sale was solid, with both the median and clearance rates improving on last year.

Winter Time, a five-year-old son of Golan who was placed on his most recent starts in bumpers at Ballinrobe and Down Royal, was sent to the sale from Denis Hogan’s yard and will now transfer to Jamie Snowden after agent Tom Malone paid £30,000 for him.

Six lots sold for £20,000 or more and half of these came from trainer John Ryan.

The five-year-old Galileo gelding Sandro Botticelli won the two-mile Listed Esher Stakes last July, this own-brother to Astrology was purchased by West Buckland Bloodstock for £28,000 and will continue his career from the Somerset stakes of Alexandra Dunn.

Sandro Botticelli followed another son of Galileo into the ring, that being the maiden Lord Napier. Placed in half of his eight starts, he is out of the champion Indian racemare Jacqueline and his pedigree was boosted when his full-brother Zenon won a maiden on the day of the sale. He cost trainer Michael Bowen, son of Peter, £24,000.

Peter Harper was under bidder on Lord Napier but he was not to be denied on another of the John Ryan draft.

The was the War Front five-year-old Battle Of Marathon who had some very useful form at two, winning a six-furlong maiden at Leopardstown and running third to Ol’ Man River in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes for Aidan O’Brien.

Two Irish point-to-pointers were also among the top six lots at the sale.

Colin Bowe’s Milestone Stables sold the six-year-old Oscar gelding Inaminna to Neil Mulholland for £22,000. An eight-length winner of a maiden at Lisronagh at the end of April, he turned out a week later and was placed at Taylorstown. He comes from the family of the Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander.

Denis Murphy’s Ballyboy Stables sent the five-year-old Darsi gelding Herecomestheboom to the sale with a record of finishing second on his only start at Inchydoney. The first foal of his dam, who is a granddaughter of 18-time winner and Grand National third Auntie Dot, he will now join Fergal O’Brien after his sale for £21,000.

After the sale, Tattersalls Ireland Director of Horses in Training Richard Pugh commented: “We are extremely satisfied with today’s sale at Ascot.

“Last year’s sale had the added attraction of a dispersal from West Lockinge Farm which contributed over £270,000 to the turnover.

“Trainers and agents have turned out to Ascot in their droves which proves that clients continue to show increasing confidence in sales at this venue.”