THE Tattersalls December Sale got underway on Monday with a day of yearlings, and there was little surprise when the session topper proved to be the son of Dubawi and the Group 1 Irish St Leger winner Voleuse De Coeurs from Hazelwood Stud at 200,000gns.

The colt was one of three lots selling for 100,000gns, and the lack of standout lots at the top of the market was demonstrated by the fact that this was half the number that sold in that bracket last year, and down from 10 in 2018. Last year’s record average was out of reach, falling back by 11%, though the median was up 16% to 25,000gns and the clearance rate was five points better than 12 months ago.