THE Italian racing and breeding sectors have been in the doldrums for some years. However a spark of hope was provided at the recent SGA Select Yearling Sale staged in Milan.

A satisfactory clearance rate of 74% from a much smaller catalogue meant that fewer yearlings were sold than last year, but the quality of the stock led to a 60% improvement in turnover, a 75% growth in average and a doubling of the median figure. Four yearlings made six-figure sums.