THE disparity between the top of the bloodstock market compared to the middle and lower tiers is evident when comparing the August Sale centrepiece with Part 2 of the sale, as there is really no comparison.

As expected, the big spenders that dominated the select opener departed Deauville, and record-breaking statistics were followed by falling figures on Wednesday.

Vendors appeared prepared, with the one-day sale posting a healthy clearance rate of 86%, the second-highest in the sale’s history, and considerably up on 2024’s figure of 79%. The average price, however, was the second-lowest at €28,048, while the median of €25,000 marked a 7% drop year on year.

Two yearlings fetched six-figure sums, with Haras d’Hotellerie claiming the top spot with their Space Blues colt at €110,000. Meridian International signed for the colt, whose sire has made a fine impression with his first two-year-olds, led by Phoenix Stakes victor Power Blue and Coventry Stakes second Do Or Do Not.

On his purchase, Emeric Guetin commented: “He’s a lovely colt. He is by Space Blues, a very good sire, and is well-bred. We’ve bought him for a partnership and are very happy.”

Dr Khaled Salami’s KGS topped the buyers’ table with a spend of €295,000 on four yearlings, the most expensive of which was a Ten Sovereigns filly from the Fairway Consignment.

The €100,000 filly was bought by Fairway Partners and Ecurie des Monnaies’ in utero for 68,000gns and since gained a blacktype update when her own-sister Indispensable placed in a listed sprint.

“She’s a lovely filly, that walks well and is well-bred,” Dr Khaled Salami said of his priciest purchase. She’ll come back to the stud for a break before being trained by Hedi Ghabri (near Chantilly). We hope she will be just as talented as her sister.”

Salami later went to €95,000 for another granddaughter of No Nay Never, in Haras du Hoguenot’s filly from the first crop of Blackbeard. The January-born grey is the first foal out of dual winner Spring Street, herself a half-sister to two stakes horses.

Dual Group 1 winner Sealiway was another first crop sire to feature prominently, with Haras d’Ellon’s filly bringing €90,000 from Yellow Agency. The half-sister to a stakes performer hails from the family of Neatico.

Roger Marley’s Church Farm Stables later secured a Starspangledbanner colt from Haras de la Louvière for €90,000.

The April foal is out of an own-sister to Group 2 scorer and Group 1 runner-up Volta.