Brother To Al Thakhira Tops Opening Day Of Tattersalls Foal Sale

The sale of the brother to Group 2 Rockfel Stakes winner AL THAKHIRA set a record for the opening day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale when selling for 160,000 guineas. Trade throughout the day saw a total of 194 foals sell for 2,138,400 guineas, a record for the opening day of the Foal Sale. Turnover was up 22% on the opening session in 2012 whilst the average and median rose 6% and 8% respectively to 11,023 guineas and 7,000 guineas.

A significant catalogue update translated into a record opening day price at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

The CHAMPS ELYSEES colt offered by Plumton Hall Stud and a half-brother to the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes winner and Breeders' Cup runner AL THAKHIRA, form achieved since publication of the catalogue, was knocked down for 160,000gns. He was bought by Stauffenberg Bloodstock Services for a pin-hooking syndicate and will travel to Germany and will be re-offered as a yearling.

"He is a very correct foal and was my pick of the day - if not the week," said Philipp Graf Stauffenberg. "If Al Thakhira had done what she has earlier in the year, this would have been a Friday foal."

The colt was bought in utero at the 2012 Tattersalls December Mare Sale when Bruce Perry Bloodstock purchased DAHAMA for 21,000 guineas on behalf of Widden Stud’s Antony Thompson.

"We originally bought Dahama to take back home," said Thompson. "But then with this colt's half-sister doing what she has we had a change of plan and left her here. He is a lovely horse, but I have to thank Eric Cantillon of Plumton Hall for producing him so well."

Underbidders included Tom and Ben Harris of Lordship Stud and the father / son team of Tim Hyde Snr and Jnr.

The first foals by the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner RODERIC O’CONNOR have been eagerly anticipated and the first through the ring at Tattersalls was knocked down for 48,000gns to Ballyhane Stud’s Joe Foley standing on the rope with Hugo Merry.

"He has been bought as a pinhooking prospect," said Foley, who opened the bidding at 20,000gns. "He has been bought in partnership with Dr Cyrus Poonawalla and will be reoffered as a yearling.

"He was an active, good-looking type, a good model and a fine advert for his sire, who has some nice ones to come later in the week. I love the cross, too, with Cadeaux Genereux and he was well-prepared by Flintshire Stud."

The Tattersalls December Foal Sale continues at 9.30am on Thursday, November 28.