She was sold in-foal to Ghaiyyath on a February 21 covering, is the winner of two races and a half-sister to Stanhope Gardens, who was stakes placed in the Autumn Stakes (G3) and is by Ghaiyyath.

Third dam is the 1995 champion Pure Grain, winner of the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) and the Irish Oaks (G1). (11:29)

She is out of Yasmeen, runner-up in the Michael Seely Memorial (L) and the dam of the John Musker Stakes (L) winner Shaara, who was also Group 3-placed in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G3).

Second dam Wissal (Woodman) is an own-sister to the Group 2 Champagne Stakes winner and Champion Stakes (G1) third -aced Bahhare, and a half-sister to Bahri (Riverman), the European champion three-year-old miler, winner of the St James's Palace Stakes (G1), and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1). (10:43)

Catalogued: 980 (1,008)

Offered: 825 (822)

Sold: 6445643)

Turnover: 37,892,400gns (-13%)

Median: 31,000gns (+3%)

Average: 58,748gns (-13%)

% Sold: 78% (78%)

Lots 200,000gns+ (cumulative): 32

Leading consignors (by agg, cumulative): 1. The Castlebridge Consignment, 2. Whitsbury Manor Stud, 3. Barton Stud

Leading purchasers (by agg, cumulative): 1. Paca Paca Farm, 2. Yeomanstown Stud, 3. M V Magnier

Leading sires (by agg, cumulative): 1. Frankel, 2. Chaldean, 3. Havana Grey

Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Frankel, 2. Night Of Thunder, 3. Sea The Stars

Lot 882: Frankel (GB) / Cloudy Dawn (IRE) Gr.C. (GB) >> West Blagdon Stud >> M V Magnier >> 1,150,000gns

Lot 906: Frankel (GB) / Tropbeau (GB) B.F. (GB) >> The Castlebridge Consignment >> Henry Lascelles >> 850,000gns

Lot 932: Frankel (GB) / Sunday Star (GB) B.C. (GB) >> Whatton Manor Stud >> SackvilleDonald 700,000gns

Lot 950: Kingman (GB) / Well Disposed (IRE) B/Br.F. (GB) Galloway Stud >> Godolphin >> 625,000gns

Lot 908: Wootton Bassett (GB) / First Flower (IRE) B.C. (IRE) Baroda Stud, Ireland >> Paddy Twomey Racing \ Bond Thoroughbreds >> 550,000gns (16:43)

“The Tattersalls December Foal Sale has long been Europe’s premier foal sale thanks to the unwavering support of British and Irish breeders, and they have been rewarded with a sale that has produced a record median, alongside an average and turnover that have only been surpassed once – by last year’s extraordinary results.

“We have seen the highest-priced colt and filly sold in Europe this year, including the 1,150,000 guineas Frankel colt from James Wigan’s West Blagdon Stud. This represents the third-highest price ever achieved for a colt foal in Europe and is a fitting tribute to a consignment that is consistently one of the highlights of Europe’s premier foal sale.

“The sale’s market-leading status is further underlined by eight of the top ten prices in Britain and Ireland this year, a median that stands 40 per cent higher than that of our nearest competitor, and unrivalled average and turnover figures. The number of lots realising 50,000 guineas or more has also reached a record level.

“In addition to the continued support of the many pinhookers from Britain, Ireland, and further afield, Park Paddocks has once again attracted a substantial number of end-users, with buyers from China, Japan, and the USA joining their counterparts from across the Gulf and throughout Europe. The diversity at the top of the purchasers’ list is particularly gratifying, with the top ten lots bought by ten different individuals.

“We now look forward to the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, which features an outstanding collection of fillies and mares within the Sceptre Sessions, and to welcoming the usual wide cross-section of buyers to Tattersalls for Europe’s premier breeding stock sale.” ()

Catalogued: 208 (215)

Offered: 181 (176)

Sold: 124 (134)

Turnover: 2,394,700gns (+6%)

Median: 14,500gns (+21%)

Average: 19,312gns (+14%) (16:40)

Yesterday Paul Coe's farm sold Lot 796, a Chaldean colt out of Gumhrear, the dam of the Group 1-placed Tasleet filly, for 185,000gns to Yeomanstown Stud, and today the farm sells a colt by Triple Time and out of Kodiaclaim, an Aclaim half-sister to the top level winner, for 30,000gns.

The last lot through the ring this week from the draft makes 52,000gns, and is a colt by Triple Time out of a winning Muhaarar mare Shatha., bought by Tradewinds. She is a daughter of the Grade 1 winner Lear's Princess from the family of the US champion three-year-old filly Pretty Mischievous, a three-time Grade 1 winner.

Shatha was bought at theTattersalls December Mares Sale in 2020 for 35,000gns. (16:17)

He is the first foal out of the New Bay mare Creme Chantilly, who won as a two and three-year-old. She is a daughter of Creme Anglaise, who twice collected Listed placed form and was the dam of five winners. She was covered in the spring by Havana Grey. (15:12)

The filly is out of the Teofilo mare Thiel, the dam of one winner from one runner – Lakota Blue, who is a winner at two and three and achieved a BHA rating best of 91.

Grandam is Vista Bella, who won the Masaka Stakes (L) and was third in the 1,000 Guineas, while the third dam is Cox Orange, who won ten races, including five Group and Grade 3 races in France and the US.

Fourth dam is Spectacular Joke, who won the Prix Maurice de Gheest (G2) and the Prix du Palais-Royal (G3). She was dam of Amonita, whose eight race wins included the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1). (14:33)

He is out of the Montjeu mare Hasten, an own-sister to the Group 1 winner Jan Vermeer, and closely related to the Grade 1 winner Together. She is dam of three winners, headlined by the German Listed winner Cloud Surfing.

Silfield Bloodstock has sold six lots this week for an average price of 37,833gns and a top price of 90,000gns (Lot 584 by Shaquille). (13:59)

The colt is out of Yarrow (Sea The Stars), who was Listed placed in the Pontefract Castle Stakes and is the dam of one winner. She is a half-sister to the Group 1 and 2000 Guineas winner Golan and to the Group 2 winner Tartan Bearer.

He was signed for by Carrigeen North and purchaser Padraic Gahan, the bloodstock and consigning executive for Baroda Stud, said: "Myself and David [Cox] saw him this morning and we liked him. We were watching the Chaldeans selling during the week, he’s a sire we wanted to use during the year but didn’t. We would have liked one, so we got one and he’ll be offered for resale next year.

"They’re very nice and this is a very good-moving colt. The mare has produced two highly-rated horses as well as being highly-rated herself, and she has a New Bay coming for her too.

"It seems everybody is still here, mares are starting to show now, too, so I’d better get back to my day job!"

Baroda Stud has 40 lots catalogued to sell next week. (12:50)

"The best foal here today, we would have stood up well yesterday," said Macauley. "He has size and scope and will be re-offered next year. I think a lot of people appeared around the ring in the last 20 minutes before this guy went through! We had that sort of mark on him, and the think the market is unbelievably strong."

Thesme, who was a runner-up in the Scarborough Stakes (L), ran 22 times and never further than five and a half furlongs. She won three races and was placed 11 times. She is a daughter of Final Dynasty (Komaite), runner-up in the Land O'Burns Stakes (L) and the dam of Last Empire, winner of the Oak Tree Stakes (G3).

The colt was sold by West Moor Stud on behalf of breeder Simon Chappell and Kate Sigsworth said: "It has been a brilliant week, we have been really busy, which is great as you know you are going to sell well but it is tough on the foals, but they have taken it all really well. It is just a big thank you to everyone who helps at home, it is such a big team to get to this point. I'd also like to thank Yeomanstown as the farm has ben a really good supporter of outs.

"He was bred on the same cross as Vandeek, and he has not put a foot wrong here all week. He is a young foal so there should be some improvement in him still. I'd like to give a shout out to the stallion owners, Ed Harper has been brilliant with Havana Grey – he made his name with 'smaller' breeders and he really does try and help British and smaller breeders.

"I think the main feeling is relief and satisfaction, you always have some doubts, particularly as I live in North Yorkshire and I don't see a lot of foals and when I got down here, my brother [Matt Sigsworth, Cheveley Park Stud's bloodstock manager and head of nominations] helped unload and I asked him if they were going to be ok next to the others? And he told me they were fine.

"And then as people came round they told me they looked well, so I just thought then that I have done my job and they just need to hold it together now and show well, which they did. It does not always come off but it has today.

"The mare was very fast, and was raced by Simon. She we went to Havana Grey for last year's foal and got a filly, she has been retained and will go into training with Ed Bethell, and it was on the strength of her that we went back.

"She was a late foal and we had not booked anything in for the mare, I rang Whitsbury as Simon was thinking of Sergei Prokofiev, we thought Havana would be full. I was chatting to Joe Callan, who asked about the filly, and when I told him that she is very nice, he said that Havana Grey had had a lot of early mares and that he was more or less finished. He said that if we'd like to use him we could so I said 'Yes please!'

"I led up the Perfect Power [Lot 1037, 45,000gns] and I have a great girl Kirsty who helps me, and she has worked the sales for me for the last five or six years. I am very tall and, as this was the later foal and so a bit smaller, she led the Havana Grey up.

"I was still busy trying to show my foal, but I looked up and saw 80,000gns and thought that was ok and was happy with that. When he kept going I could not believe it. I have sold on a Saturday for years, it suits me, suits my consignment, I have mixed pedigrees and that is what traditionally Saturday is for, but I think it will be long time since one has made that much on a Saturday, I did not expect that and it is a lovely surprise.

"Simon is in Costa Rica and there is the a time difference, so I will ring him on the way home once he has properly woken up! I have messaged and he got back to me and said, 'Very happy Kate, thanks very much!'" (12:27)

The colt is an own-brother to Cunningham's Two Tribes, winner of the Stewards' Cup and the International Handicap for the owner, and a star performer for the National Stud-based sire through the summer.

Two Tribes has travelled with trainer Richard Spencer's string to run in Dubai and the Middle East through the winter.

The full-siblings were both been bred by Carla Bowers and she was delighted with the result today and, with Graham Rylance, chatted to us about the sale.

"We are so pleased that Phil has bought the colt, Two Tribes was the first foal out of the mare and he was our first go at breeding out of a mare whom we were given by Julie Wood. We are so pleased he is going to an end user, and especially to Phil who has supported his stallion, supported us and now has bought his guy, it is the best result.

"The mare had an injury in training and we were working on her rehabilitation for Julie, she was ready to go back into training and Julie said that she'd had a think and offered her to us as a first broodmare to get us going breeding. So we took her, and our budget to cover her was Rajasinghe so that is where she went.

"We have been racing every time he has ran and Julie has come, Two Tribes beat her own horse Classic, and she was the first one over to congratulate us then, she is now at home in tears! A free mare from Julie and Chris we are so thankful.

"It has been an amazing year with Two Tribes, and Phil has been so kind sending us tickets to watch him.

"This foal is very similar, just a different colour – Two Tribes is ginger and this foal is bay, same white socks, same attitude, same work ethic, a nice solid good foal, which is what the mare produces with anything we put her to, which is a great attribute. She is not in-foal, next year our budget has gone up a bit now, so we need to put our thinking caps on, Starspangledbanner would be our first and the obvious choice.

"I sob at every foal sale, it was a brilliant and exciting result, we were hoping for something between 30,000gns and 40,000gns, but that has exceeded our expectations. We would have been happy to take him home and re-offer as a yearling, and the only proviso we have is that the mare pays for herself.

"She has done that, given herself a decent upgrade, and maybe we can have a holiday!" (11:23)

Consignor Richard Kempster said: "We are chuffed to bits, he deserved that kind of money, he has been a gorgeous colt all the way along. We have always thought he was very smart, the pressure has been on to get him ready for today, but it has gone really smoothly, thankfully. We wanted to sell today as we felt we could be a bit of a standout on Day 4, but I do think he would have stood out any day."

Of the selection of Dragon Symbol, Kempster outlined: "We wanted to keep the speed element, and Whitsbury has been doing a great job with first-season sires so we have been following the farm for the last couple of years. He is a lovely stamp of a stallion himself and we thought he'd suit the mare.

"It was very nerve-wracking when this foal was going around the ring, but it has all come right on the day, and it is a big sigh of relief! A big thanks goes to the team at home."

Of the mare, he said: "We have had the mare a couple of years and we liked the Showcasing aspect, she won as a two-year-old, and the family down the page is really strong, we just hope it can continue. We had some bad luck with her first foal, he died in a paddock accident, but he was also a cracker and a strapping first foal, it has come good today." (11:19)

The bay colt is out of the young mare El Gumryah (No Nay Never) the winner of one race and the dam of one winner from two runners. She is a half-sister to the Grade 2 winner Striking Dancer and the Group 2 winner Raymond Tusk, winner of the Gran Premio del Jockey Club (G2) and placed in the Sagaro Stakes (G3), the John Porter Stakes (G3), the Geoffrey Freer Stakes (G3) and the Aston Park Stakes (G3). (10:46)

Catalogued: 273 (269)

Offered: 215 (215)

Sold: 188 (194)

Turnover: 23,311,500gns (-25%) (second highest turnover for a Friday in the sale's history)

Median: 80,000gns (-9%)

Average: 123,997gns (-22%)

% Sold: 87% (90%)

Lots 200,000gns+ (cumulative): 32

Leading consignors (by agg, cumulative): 1. The Castlebridge Consignment, 2. Whitsbury Manor Stud, 3. Barton Stud

Leading purchasers (by agg, cumulative): 1. Paca Paca Farm, 2. Yeomanstown Stud, 3. M V Magnier

Leading sires (by agg, cumulative): 1. Frankel, 2. Chaldean, 3. Havana Grey

Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Frankel, 2. Night Of Thunder, 3. Kingman

Lot 882: Frankel (GB) / Cloudy Dawn (IRE) Gr.C. (GB) >> West Blagdon Stud >> M V Magnier >> 1,150,000gns

Lot 906: Frankel (GB) / Tropbeau (GB) B.F. (GB) >> The Castlebridge Consignment >> Henry Lascelles >> 850,000gns

Lot 932: Frankel (GB) / Sunday Star (GB) B.C. (GB) >> Whatton Manor Stud >> SackvilleDonald 700,000gns

Lot 950: Kingman (GB) / Well Disposed (IRE) B/Br.F. (GB) Galloway Stud >> Godolphin >> 625,000gns

Lot 908: Wootton Bassett (GB) / First Flower (IRE) B.C. (IRE) Baroda Stud, Ireland >> Paddy Twomey Racing \ Bond Thoroughbreds >> 550,000gns (19:39)

She is a daughter of the Dubawi Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed mare Well Disposed, a half-sister to the 2017 German champion colt and Rottgen stallion Windstoss, winner of the Deutsches Derby and the Preis Von Europa (G1).

Frank Dorff, manager of the German farm, said: "She is very typical of the family, she looks just liker her mother. I am very happy she made a very good price, she has gone to a very good home, let's hope she is a Group 1 winner in Britain.

"She is a special one and we were very tempted to keep her, you don't often breed one with that quality, the market recognised that and sometimes you have to sell. The mare is in-foal to Frankel, and if it is a colt he will be a stallion prospect. We have not sold many from the family, we are not a commercial stud, we breed to produce good racehorses and later good broodmares.

"We decided to go to Kingman because it was the dream to breed a valuable broodmare prospect, I hate close inbreeding and she is open to nearly everything – that was the idea a behind the covering."

He continued: "Well Disposed won two Group races and was Group 1 placed, she was very tough, the whole family is incredibly tough – Windstoss ran 28 times and was placed 14 times in Group races. He is now a really promising young stallion at Rottgen."

Purchaser Anthony Stroud said: “She’s a lovely filly with a very good pedigree. After she’s been to the races we’ll be able to breed her to quite a lot of stallions, like Frankel. If you’re thinking long-term she’ll be a good addition to the stud. She’s the only one we’ve bid on today. It’s a fantastic page full of champions.” (19:16)

Ed Player of Whatton Manor Stud said: "It is fantastic to have a Frankel to sell, and this colt is a lovely horse. He is a late foal and there is a lot of maturing to do, but he has a lovely walk. I hope, and am sure, he will grow into a cracking yearling and racehorse.

"He was bred by David Ward, the pedigree needs no introduction, Starman has had the most incredible first season, and I think he is going to get even better – his horses are scopey and they stay a mile, he is going to be the real deal as a stallion. There is no reason why this lad can't turn into a stallion, too. I am delighted for David, he puts lot into it, and he has had a fantastic year on the track and with the stallion."

Simon Sadler, standing in the bidders with Sackville and Walker, said: "Today has been a great day – we saw Frankel this morning and now have bought a Frankel related to Starman, perfect. I am very much looking forward to next season and we just want to win as many Group 1 races as TBT Racing can – and to beed one.

Of the decision to sell, Player explained: "There is always temptation to keep, but David owns the full-sister Sunday Girl in training, and she is pretty smart, hopefully she will win her maiden and could be a black-type filly. He has lots of horses in training and some point you have to cash in."

Player finished off: "Simon Sadler has had a lot of luck buying from the farm, including the runner-up in this year's Coventry Stakes [Do Or Do Not], and he also has a two-year-old filly with Ed Walker, who they think is very good." (18:37)

"He is a lovely horse, has been bought to race, the new owners have had a lot of success with Wootton Bassett and very excited to get him," said Twomey.

Bond Thoroughbreds raced the Group 1 Prix de la Foret winner Maranoa Charlie, a son of the late sire.

The colt is out of the Galileo mare First Flower and was bred by Diamond Creek Farm. First Flower is an own-sister to the Group 1 winner Hydrangea, Hermosa, The United States and to Salsa, the dam of the Pretty Polly Stakes and Nassau Stakes winner Whirl, a daughter of Wootton Bassett.

Since the catalogue was published Hydrangea's third foal Hawk Mountain, also by Wootton Bassett, has won the Group 1 Futurity Trophy Stakes.

David Cox of Baroda Stud said: "He is a homebred for Diamond Creek Stud based in America, they asked me what I thought he going to make, and I said 'I hope he is going to make between 400,000gns and 600,000gns'. He took a bit of time to get there, but then it got rolling and wish the best of luck to Paddy and Bond Thoroughbreds.

"From when he arrived he was totally chilled out and showed himself well, and obviously they are not making any more by the stallion, but typicallythey all have good minds. This lad ticks a lot of boxes."

He added: "It is a very strong market."

Paraic Gahan of Baroda said: "We met him here. He is a lovely colt who was very popular, he had plenty of vettings, and is a real collector’s item. It’s a robust market, and if you come here with something that people want, you get well rewarded." (17:36)

She is the third foal out of the mare, a grand-daughter of Frizzante, winner of the July Cup (G1).

Purchaser Henry Lascalles said: "She’s a homebred filly who we really like. Her full-brother is a two-year-old with the Gosdens. We like him too and he’ll run in the spring next year, and we also have a Night Of Thunder filly who’ll go into training next year, too. This filly is a credit to Lady Bamford, Chris [Lock, stud manager] and the whole team at Daylesford. She’s a lovely filly and we’re delighted to get her back. Tropbeau was a very good racemare, she was a Group 2 winner at two and Group 1-placed at three. She’s a really exciting mare." (17:24)

"I didn't think that I would be able to get her, she is absolutely beautiful, she has a fantastic shape to her, she looks fast and I am very lucky to buy her for Ben Spiers, whom I have bought for the last two years and we have had a nice little touch each time," said Norris. "The pressure was off as he said that he will race if she can't be resold next year."

Of the filly he added: "I went to see her about an hour ago and she was still showing like she did three days ago. She kept on walking, and has a beautiful eye. She will probably go from here to Newsells to board, that is where the last ones have boarded."

Dam Fast Lily (Fastnet Rock) was unraced, but has bred three winners, including the two black-type horses. She is a half-sister to the Lowther Stakes (G2) winner Silk Blossom and Mashoora, a two-time Group 3 winner. Third dam is Lomond Blossom winner of the Killavullen Stakes (G3). (17:05)

Bidding developed into a straight battle between Simon Mockridge of Juddmonte, who was sat in the seats, and MV Magnier, who was standing in the gangway, Ed Sackville, who was involved, having dropped away and it became a head to head between the two major participants from 775,000gns. The bidding proceeded in increments of 25,000gns until Mockridge looked to seal the deal when taking the million mark, an increase of 100,000gns on Magnier's bid of 900,000gns.

It was not enough and, after a few more exchanges, Mockridge was forced to shake his head at 1,150,000gns.

MV Magnier said: "It is a great result for James Wigan, he is one of the best breeders there is, it is a great farm and produced a lot of good horses. Frankel is a very good stallion. This is a very nice horse, we will take him home, we will review plans after the summer, but in all likelihood he will go to Ballydoyle. It is a lot of money for him, but when you breed a horse like that the Wigans deserve to get it."

James Wigan said: "I didn't have any sort of figure in my head, I thought he was a very nice horse and deserved to make a good price. We bought the grandam [In The Mist] here at the foal sale [in 2006].

"Frankel gets great bone, great substance, he suits a mare with speed and she was fast, and they worked together on conformation. This foal has always been a very nice horse and has a very nice character. You don't expect to sell a horse for that sort of price.

"I am delighted that MV got him and he has gone to the best possible home – with Coolmore and Juddmonte battling for him, he is going to get the best home whichever! It is just what you want for the mare."

Cloudy Dawn, a daughter of Kodiac, is in-foal to Camelot. (16:49)

He added: "It was good, brilliant and the mare has been really lucky for me. It still makes me giggle when I see all the gilets and hats here with Minzaal's name, to think that I am having an influence on the breed, that our little farm in County Offaly."

Of the reasons for selecting Blue Point he said: "He was a very good sprinter, he is a young sire that suits the market and the pedigree suited, and it made a lot of sense."

Of the family he added: "Minzaal's full-brother is in France and trainer Andre Fabre thinks a lot of him, he was a bit sore of his shins as he was getting close to running so they put him away, I am looking forward to next year with him.

"We need to decide what to do with the mare now, she is empty and I could do with a filly out her at this stage, we might visit some neighbours and send her to Starman." (16:10)

The foal is out of La Collina (Strategic Prince), the dual Group 1 winner of the Matron Stakes and the Phoenix Stakes. She is dam of five winners, including Sardinian Warrior (Saxon Warrior), winner of the Paradise Stakes (L) and runner-up in the Prix d'Ispahan (G1).

La Collina is a half-sister to the Group 3 winners Foxes Tales and Astadash, the Listed winner Fox Chairman. (15:22)

The colt by Sioux Nation is out of Dancing Rebel, who was bred by Riversfield Stud, and the farm's Shane Molan said: "The grandam London Plane was one of the first mares I bought, and I have bred everything out of her. I bred her to Highland Reel and decided to keep her and race her – she won a 5f two-year-old Curragh maiden!

"She was very fast and then I put her in-foal to Blue Point and he took off, so maybe a touch of luck there, but this lad was an exceptional foal. He was a star from the start, he has the temperament, the size, the presence, bone, the walk, everything.

"Generally, when they are forward enough as foals, then I try to sell them rather than wait a year."

Molan, who has five mares at the farm, which is based in County Limerick, added: "We try and keep the numbers low and the quality high. The mare is in-foal to Mehmas, and she does not owe us anything, and London Plane is carrying to Sea The Stars, hopefully it is a family on the up." (14:25)

Breeder and consignor Paul Coe of Whatcote Farm Stud was emotional after the sale, and said: "We bought the mare here, we paid just 3,500gns for her in 2015, she has been a really good, a star for us.

"Obviously her filly American Sonja has worked hard for us, and we chose Chaldean as a first-season sire with Juddmonte, and we were just hoping we picked one the that would work out. Gumhrear does her foals so well and there is a lot of Chaldean about him, too.

"We have been crazy busy with him and we thought he was well liked, but you never know what is going to happen. We are thrilled, Juddmonte has bene great to work with and that is the best result in the ring. I am thrilled."

Gumhrear is by Frankel and is in-foal to Havana Grey. (13:43)

Sitara's Legacy is a half-sister to Rekindling, the Group 1 Melbourne Cup winner, and to Golden Sword, winner of the Chester Vase (G3).

It is the further family of such stars as Alexandrova, Chicquita, Magical Romance, and Magic Wand

The farm has enjoyed a good week with three lot sold so far, and including Lot 470 sold to Avenue Bloodstock and Parkland Thoroughbreds for 150,000gns – the colt by Ten Sovereigns and out of Lamyaa, the dam of the Grade 1 winner Lush Lips.

Stringston has another three lots to offer – Lot 837, Lot 1051 and Lot 1052. (12:52)

Bred by Overbury Stud and Dukes Stud, the May-born colt was sold by Overbury Stud and when asked whether this price was the best price in the ring for a foal, Simon Sweeting laughed: "By a long way!"

"Surprised, thrilled, very excited, it is wonderful, we have been very lucky indeed," he continued. "He is a late foal, but it is fabulous.

"We did consider selling as a yearling, and if we had to take him home today, we would have done. We entered him before the Dewhurst, and when myself, Charlie and Richard [Brown, Blandford Bloodstock] chatted we decided that if we could get him away to an end user now, we would do and we are thrilled that he has been bought by Ace Stud."

Of buying Grey Mystere (Lethal Force) in 2021, he said: "We were very lucky! I was in England, Charlie was here in Newmarket, and Richard was in France, and we got a call from him to say that you have got a new mare.

"She is empty this year because this was so late, but she is booked in to Night Of Thunder for next spring."

When describing this sale, Sweeting added: "You could watch the Dewhurst and enjoy it, but this was a blur! It won't sink in for a while – it might never happen again, we will enjoy this!"

Of Lot 746, a filly sold by the farm by Sea The Moon and out of Plume, Sweeting said: "We are thrilled with her, and all of this trio of foals offered today. It has been a strong sale."

Paul Curran, buyer of the colt for Ace Stud, said: "It was a bit of no-brainer really, with Gewan, and this is a family we love and keep buying into and she is a nice young mare.

"The foal is a little immature and a bit backward, but he is a May 10 and he will have all the time he needs. He is one who I can see improving with time and he is going to race in our colours, it is nice to buy back into the family."

Of Native Trail, he added:"We have seen a lot by the sire and we like them, they look like himself and there is no doubt a lot should be as good as him judging by their physicals."

Of Gewan, he updated: "He is good, we saw him a couple of weeks ago and is staying down with Andrew Balding over the winter, is ticking over and is enjoying his winter off. He is an exciting horse for next year.

"He will go straight to the Guineas next year – we have explored every avenue but we will probably go straight there with a racecourse gallop beforehand." (12:15)

She is a half-sister to the Group 3 Dick Poole Stakes (G3) winner Yourtimeisnow, dam of this year's Group race placed juvenile Dickensian, and to two black-type placed runners Horse de Combat and Stroll Patrol.

Third dam is the influential mare Stinging Nettle, grandam of the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes winner (G1) Stroll, and Patrol, third in the same race.

Bred by Boyce Bloodstock & Mrs C. E. Percival, she was sold by Northmore Stud. (11:31)

He was given the award by Geoffrey Howson, president of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents.

Howson said: "I first met Billy at an Ascot Sale where he purchased a subsequent Group 2 winner and I quickly noticed how enthusiastically, diligently and productively he worked at the sales.

"I recommended that he become a member of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents – again one of my more perceptive moves!"

According to Howson, results on October 4 were pivotal in the decision to awarded Jackson-Stops this year's award. It was a hugely successful day for Jackson-Stops – his Tattersalls October Book 2 purchase Royal Supremacy won the Group 1 Metropolitan at Randwick, Australia, and his Tattersalls Ireland September Sale buy Caballo De Mar was successful in the Group 1 Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp.

October proved to be a great month for the agent – the following weekend his breeze-up purchase and October Book 1 graduate Gewan won the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes.

Capping an amazingly successful year, which also saw Jackson-Stops appointed racing manager to Victorious Forever, Bay City Roller won the Group 1 Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern.

Jackson-Stops said: “I am greatly honoured to be named bloodstock agent of the year. One of the greatest achievements anyone can have in their industry is recognition from their peers, so to be acknowledged by Geoffrey and others at the FBA means the world to me, it is a huge honour.

"This year was everything I could have dreamed of, and I was lucky enough to go to Germany to see Caballo De Mar win, it was the only one [of the Group 1 winners] I was actually at, and it was brilliant – I am not sure a year like this will ever happen again!

"I’ve have been extremely fortunate to work with great trainers. I will always be indebted to George Scott, who took me on when I returned from Australia unemployed in 2017, Tom Clover and Andrew Balding have also been tremendous supporters.

"All the Group 1 winners this year tie back, in one way or another, to my three biggest supporters – Al Rabban Racing, Michael Blencowe and Sheikh Nasser. Being able to repay these people with success at the highest level has been hugely rewarding, and I cannot thank them enough for their continued support.

"I must thank my supportive wife Lily, without her I could not have achieved anything close to what I’ve been fortunate enough to accomplish.

"There is lots happening in the Middle East for the winter, and lots of horses for other clients heading that way, too." (10:22)

Catalogued: 303 (303)

Offered: 256 (249)

Sold: 219 (204)

Turnover: 10,386,000gns (+15%)

Median: 35,000gns (+3%)

Average: 47,425gns (+8%)

% Sold: 86% (82%)

Lots 100,000gns+: 23

Leading consignors (by agg, cumulative): 1. Whitsbury Manor Stud, 2. Barton Stud, 3. Meadowlands Stud (Co.Down)

Leading purchasers (by agg, cumulative): 1. Yeomanstown Stud, 2. Tally-Ho Stud, 3. Kelly Equine

Leading sires (by agg, cumulative): 1. Shaquille, 2. Dragon Symbol, 3. Havana Grey

Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Havana Grey, 2. Starspangledbanner, 3. St Mark's Basilica

Lot 650: Havana Grey (GB) / Avengers Queen (GB) B.C. (GB) >> Whitsbury Manor Stud >> Hillwood Bloodstock >> 260,000gns

Lot 618: Shaquille (GB) / Sunset Avenue (USA) B.C. (GB) >> Genesis Green Stud Ltd. >> Ace Stud >> 180,000gns

Lot 576: Havana Grey (GB) / Amoreena (GB) Gr.C. (GB) >> Whitsbury Manor Stud >> Tally-Ho Stud >> 165,000gns

Lot 628: Ghaiyyath (IRE) / Spirituoso (GB) B.C. (IRE) >> Starfield Stud, Ireland >> Paca Paca Farm >> 160,000gns

Lot 470: Ten Sovereigns (IRE) / Lamyaa (GB) B.C. (GB) >> Stringston Farm >> Avenue Bloodstock for Parkland Thoroughbreds 150,000gns (19:55)

The third dam features the black-type winners Vortex, Prove, Danefair, Trade Fair, Ventura and Emblem Road. (19:50)

The grey colt is out of the Dalakhani mare Oatmeal, the dam of two winners from three runners, including Pearl Glory, runner-up in the Chartwell Fillies Stakes (G3) and in the Dick Poole Stakes (G3).

It is the extended family of the champion three-year-old filly Pure Grain, winner of the Irish and Yorkshire Oaks (G1).

The colt was sold by Prospect Stables, bred by Mr Ronan Ely. (19:35)

Underbidder was Tina Rau standing with Nick Bell of Haras de Meautry.

The colt is out of Avengers Queen (Brazen Beau), winner of two races in Italy, including the Premio Vittorio Crespi (L). She is dam of one winner from one runner – Cairdeas, a two-year-old winner by Sergei Prokofiev.

Avengers Queen is a daughter of Showstoppa, also bred by Whitsbury, who is the dam of El Caballo, winner of the Sandy Lane Stakes (G2). It is the family of the Mill Reef Stakes (G2) winner Temple Meads and the Chipchase Stakes G3) winner Diligent Harry.

Vigors said: "We will get him home and make a plan from there, and he could well be coming back next year. For us, he has the pedigree, and Havana Grey needs no introduction. He has the physical, he has the page, and we are delighted to get him. I was hoping to spend less, and we were at our limit.

"Havana Grey has been good to us – in fact, he has been pretty good for everyone who has been involved with him. As the better mares are coming through, his profile is only going to keep on improving."

That was a fifth foal purchase for Vigors, who said: "The trade has been strong." (18:50)

He was bred by the Spirituoso Partnership and sold by Starfield Stud, and Michel Orlandi said: "We bought the mare while she was in training, we liked the pedigree, we went to Ghaiyyath and got a smashing foal and we are delighted with this result.

"We selected the stallion because he was by Dubawi and was a top racehorse. We have a son of Dubawi at home, Dubawi Legend, and we are huge fans of Dubawi as sire of sires. We thought going forward that Ghaiyyath is a stallion who was going to progress and coming here with a foal that buyers would be looking positively and upwardly for him.

"He is also at a price point that is achievable and affordable, and, thankfully, the stars aligned this evening, and it has been like that for the stallion this week.

"He was a very popular foal and a lot of very shrewd judges were on him, but a lot of them were pinhookers, they have to buy at what they think is value, but we are very thankful to all of them who bid, I think that Paul McCartan was underbidder.

"It is tough on the pinhooker to come up against Harry, but it is a great results."

The mare is in-foal to King Of Steel, and he added: "She is not overly big, he is average size but she walks well – this foal also walked very well – she suits that bigger sire.

"It is a great family and since we bought her half-brother Dear My Friend he got more black-type and her half-sister Pink Carnation both black-type. You look at the Weatherbys pedigree proof, all those mares under the third dam are getting well covered, it is a real happening family."

Third dam is the influential mare Dust Dancer, dam of the Grade 2 winner Spotlight, the dam of the Group 3 winner Projection, and grandam of the Group 1 winner Zoffany. (18:28)

Purchaser Paul Curran, who was sat in the seats on the back row, said: "As the market has been suggesting the foals by the sire are well liked and it is great indictment of the stallion that he has started off so very well commercially. For us this colt was the standout for the day, we came in to this week and wanted to buy the best by him and I think we have got that.

"We now have three foals by him, so we'd own any before the sales, and we have plenty of mares in-foal to him.

"It is nice to see that he is stamping his stock. They are bit like himself, he is a beautiful horse, he is exactly what it says on the tin. His foals are of good size with substance, which is what we want to see, and they are strong and look precocious types, we are really happy with what is here. The market is realising that as well, it is good to have a horse that is being talked about so positively."

Sunset Avenue, the dam of two black-type performers, and a daughter of the Blandford Stakes (G3) winner Dearly (Rahy), was bought by Genesis Green from Houghton Bloodstock at the Tattersalls December Sale 2023 for 6,500gns. Sadly, she died this spring after giving birth to this colt.

Michael Swinburn of the farm said: "We bought her barren, and she died a couple of weeks after foaling this colt – she had cancer and this foal was reared on a foster mare. He just came out a nice foal and stayed a nice foal, that is the way they are."

Of selling this foal, he said: "I just thought I'd be very clever and put a nice one by the sire in this sale, and I was very surprised when I saw the pedigrees of the foals by Shaquille in the book – I realised then that I was only one of a lot of good ones here!

"The stallion has to have a great chance with the mares he has had, and they have been going down a storm, all the proper people have beeen buying them. We have one on Friday, and we think he is really nice.

"Sunset Avenue was a great mare, a Street Cry mare. I was not going to breed to Shaquille as I am not a great first-season sire man, but I went to see him and, as I had a Street Cry mare and they can be fairly plain, I thought when I saw him 'I have a mare for you!' and that was her." (18:13)

The youngster is out of the Australia mare Yarralumla, a half-sister to Slipofthepen, the winner of two races and placed in the Heron Stakes (L).

Third dam is Fictitious a Grade 3 winner in the US and a half-sister to the Geoffrey Freer Stakes (G2) and Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) winner Phantom Gold. (16:39)

"He’s a good-moving horse by a good stallion," said Tony O'Callaghan. “We’ve had bits and bobs by the stallion before. We’ve bought two by him today, but we just worry about the model. We had 150 [thousand] in mind going in there if we wanted to give ourselves any chance of getting him."

This colt is out of Amoreena (Swiss Spirit), the winner of three races, and a half-sister to Diligent Harry, winner of the Chipchase Stakes (G3), and to Harry Three, winner of the Listed Prix Kistena. (16:30)

Of this pedigree, Gaffney added: "We love a bit of staying in the family and to inject a bit of speed, so that is what we have done here.

"Just Joan ran in my wife's colours, and she won and we were very happy. This is great, she has produced two horses rated over 90 and one is black-type and now we think we've got another one. We have a 'Footsteps' half-sister to this colt and we have kept her and she will continue the family line, she is called Doon Queen.

"We covered the mare last year with Sioux Nation because Viareggio [Group 3 winner] is by Caravaggio, who is by Scat Daddy – the motto is keep it simple!"

Of this colt, he said: "He has been straightforward all the way through, the whole family is so easy to work with and that is why we have multiple generations and it is worked well for us. Just Joan is in-foal to Henry Longfellow, we thought we'd get a bit of Dubawi blood onto the page."

Gaffney works with his wife Anne, and his brother Tom of Churchtown House Stud, who also works for Coolmore. The family sells its yearlings under Churchtown House and foals under the Hawes Stud banner. (16:07)

Sold by Kellsgrange Stud, the colt's dam, yet to have runners, is a half-sister to Fighting Irish, winner of the Criterium de Masions-Laffitte (G2) and out of a half-sister to the Lockinge Stakes winner Virtual.

Ghaiyyath currently averaging 84,333gns for three sold. (14:56)

"We felt offering the Starspangledbanner filly here would make the journey worthwhile, and it has worked out," said Curran. "She has been very popular since Sunday, plenty of viewings and vets, and the busiest horse I have ever had, but we trying to be conservative with our thoughts pre-sale.

"I bought the dam Balakera as an unraced three-year-old. She has produced a good one by Starspangledbanner before and on the back of that we sent her back to him."

Lot 513, a filly by Ghaiyyath and the third foal out of the Kingman mare Waldkonigin, from the family of Waldpark, Waldgeist and Masked Marvel, made 60,000gns.

"Ghaiyyath is a big, strong and powerful horse, and I thought he was a bit of value that year before he had any runners," said Curran. "I had him in mind before I bought the mare, and we bought her here at the December Sale in 2023 for 16,000gns." (14:34)

The 2022-born Lush Lips was bought for £42,000 as a yearling by Avenue Bloodstock / Medallion Racing / Donnacha O'Brien, and Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock was back in the ring today for the younger brother and was the successful buyer.

"When breeders produce a horse like that they were entitled to get paid," said McStay. "Ten Sovereign has been very lucky for me and I have purchased this colt for Steve Weston of ParklandThoroughbreds. He has been a really good client in recent years with Lush Lips and Porta Fortuna [sells next week, Lot 1734], amongst others.

"The colt will probably go from here to Luke Barry's Manister House, and Steve has the option to race or resell. This is a really nice colt and when I saw him I felt we had to have him – we will make our plans further down the line and in the spring, and it is nice problem to have. Lush Lips [sold in the US this autumn] stays training next season and all roads led to the Breeders' Cup for her."

McStay added: "Lush Lips was an outstanding physical and this foal is a really good type too, fair play to the Pococks [of Stringston Farm]. It is not an easy game breeding racehorses and that farm breeds winners, let's hope this is another good one."

Of the price, he said: "I knew we'd have to pay for this colt, and I could see some of my countrymen lurking on the rope, but we were keen to get the horse and I didn't underestimate the likely opposition."

Breeder and consignor Nick Pocock of Stringston Farm said: "It was hard to value him coming here, and we were cautious coming up but we felt we had a very good horse, we are delighted he is gone to Mark after he bought Lush Lips."

The Tattersalls December Mares Sale on December 4, 2002 was a very lucky day for the Pocock family.

"My parents bought this colt's grandam Divine Grace on the same day as they bought Sitara," reported Pocock. "She went on to become the dam of the Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling. We have had the families for over 20 years, and Lamyaa is now in-foal to Little Big Bear." (13:28)

Mimi Wadham said: "The plan will be to bring him back for Book 2, he is a lovely colt, he looks fast, it is a proven cross that works. The sire can do no wrong, we were really happy to get him and surprised, although we had to push to get to that.

"We sold a filly by the sire in this autumn's Book 2 whon we bred and she made 160,000gns [Lot 806], and this colt would stack up very well against her, so fingers crossed!"

The colt was sold by Whitsbury Manor Stud, and is the first foal out of the two-year-old winner Excesso Velocidad (Exceed And Excel), a half-sister to two Italian black-type winners – Fast Spirit and Bright Filly. (12:49)