THE four-year-old handicapper Salute The Soldier topped Wednesday's session of the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale when bought for 380,000gns.

Trained by Clive Cox to win four races, the 104-rated gelding was bought by Oliver St Lawrence for owner-trainer Fazwi Nass. The underbidder was the day's leading purchaser Khalid bin Mishref rfom Saudi Arabia.

"He goes on fast ground and should suit racing in the Middle East," said St Lawrence. "Fazwi will train, but I am not sure yet whether the horse will go to Bahrain or Dubai."

By Sepoy, Salute The Soldier finished third in the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup at Newbury last time out.

Shamrock Thoroughbreds went to 100,000gns for Laugh A Minute, a Mayson gelding sold by Roger Varian's Carlburg Stables. Varian purchased the colt as a yearling from Whitsbury Manor Stud at Book 2 for 45,000gns in 2016.

He has since won over £210,000 in prize-money earnings – his big payday coming when he won the Weatherbys £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes in 2017.

Stephen Thorne, assistant trainer to Ado McGuinness, set up Shamrock Thoroughbreds in 2017 and has since purchased 16 horses at Tattersalls, with this colt being the most expensive purchase to date.

Among the other Irish trainers who purchased today were Luke Comer, Charles Byrnes, Eoin Doyle, Denis Hogan, Henry de Bromhead, Madeline Tylicki, Richard O'Brien and Noel Kelly, as well as Gaelic Bloodstock, which has horses with Ger Lyons. So far this week Comer has bought 20 horses (more than any other purchaser) for a total outlay of 946,000gns.

Mekong, who was offered yesterday as Lot 694 but was not sold in the ring, was purchased today by Saudi purchaser Khalid bin Mishref and agent Paul Harley for 400,000gns.

A three-time winning son of Frankel, he was formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute. He finished fourth last time out in the British Champions Long Distance Cup and is rated 112 and also boasts listed form when a runner-up the Esher Cup.

The four-day sale concludes on Thursday.

DAY 3 SALE STATISTICS (% +/- compared with 2018)

Lots catalogued: 426 (431)

Lots offered: 305 (310)

Lots sold: 270 (283)

Aggregate: 8,206,000gns (-21%)

Median: 16,500gns (-18%)

Average: 30,393gns (-18%)

% clearance: 89% (91%)

FULL COVERAGE OF THE TATTERSALLS HORSES IN TRAINING SALE IN THE IRISH FIELD NEXT WEEKEND