TATTERSALLS in December 2002 was most memorable for the sale, from the Irish National Stud, of a Giant’s Causeway filly foal, a half-sister Galileo, to Live Oak Stud for a world record 1,800,000gns. Next best among the foals was a Danehill colt for 510,000gns.

The main feature of the mare sale was the dispersal of stock from Newgate Stud, following the death of Prince Fahd Salman, and they included four of the top seven lots among the broodmares. The draft was consigned by Voute Sales, and their top two prices were 875,000gns and 825,000gns, paid respectively by Anthony Penfold (Salman’s former racing manager) and John Ferguson for Velvet Moon, in foal to Daylami, and Last Resort, carrying to Mozart.