THE Tattersalls Online December Sale was topped by exciting National Hunt prospect Media Naranja, who sold for 110,000gns to Tom Malone Bloodstock.

Winner of her only start to date, the three-year-old daughter of Yeats was impressive when winning at Craon nearly two weeks ago. Offered for sale by her trainer Hugo Merienne, she is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Mossy Fen, and comes from the same family as multiple Grade 1 winners Sound Man, Pairofbrowneyes and Samcro.

Merienne said afterwards: “Media Naranja was very impressive on her first run, and I am sure she will have a brilliant future. She is jumping like a stag and showed her class first time out on the flat. She hasn’t finished growing and I don’t think we have seen half of what she will be able to do in the future.

“I wish a lot of luck to her new owner, but I don’t think luck will be needed.

“It’s the second time I’ve sold online through their platform, I feel more and more confident about it. The team is very helpful and it’s always a pleasure to work with them.”

Malone also went to 75,000gns to secure Whispering Royal. Consigned by Barry Fitzgerald’s Old Leighlin Stables, the two-year old son of Gustav Klimt won on his debut at Dundalk last month.

Bloodstock agent Hugo Merry was responsible for two purchases. The young Farhh mare Sophie, a half-sister to Group 1 1000 Guineas winner Cachet, was purchased for 90,000gns. Sold by Karen George’s Higher Eastingdon Stables, she is in foal to Aclaim, and carrying a close relation to Cachet.

Breeding right

The opportunity to access a lifetime breeding right to promising young stallion Cracksman also appealed to Merry, who paid 78,000gns to secure it. The Dalham Hall-based stallion is sire of the Group 2 winner Aloa and listed winner Dance In The Grass in his first crop.

The sale turnover amounted to 612,600gns and averaged 14,941gns for the 41 lots sold. The sale attracted over 170 registered bidders from Britain, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany and the Middle East. Unsold lots remain available for purchase through the Make An Offer facility on the Tattersalls Online platform.