THE four-day December Foal Sale at Newmarket got off to a slow start on Tuesday when just 59% of the 227 foals offered for sale found buyers. This compares with a 70% clearance rate for the same day lasty year.

Both the average and median prices plummeted by 32% and 38% respectively.

Four of the top six lots on Tuesday were the progeny of Whitsbury Manor Stud’s sire sensation Havana Grey.

The top-priced lot of the opening session was the Havana Grey colt out of the Singspiel mare Ebrah who was knocked down to Hazelwood Bloodstock’s Adrian O’Brien

O'Brien, who has enjoyed success with progeny of the sire before, commented: "This horse is a May foal and I think he has got an awful lot of improvement in him, so we hope that is going to be the way.

"Since before Havana Grey even had a runner I bought one foal, had a bit of luck and I love them, he is proving to be an outstanding sire. He gives them athleticism and though they come in different shapes and sizes, they can all run."

The foal was bred by Paul Gardner's Springcombe Park Stud and consigned by Jamie Railton, who said: "It is really nice to see a British owner-breeder, who is becoming a rare beast, get a return. Paul bred Quiet Reflection and so he can produce you a good horse. It is great for him to get a few quid back. He sent all his mares to Showcasing in the early days and now he has sent all his mares to Havana Grey, so he has been quite lucky. He has a few more by the sire to sell through the week."

Pinhook prospect

The equal second highest priced lot on the opening day was the son of first-crop sire A’AlI out of dual Group 3 winner Maureen who was knocked down to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock’s Matt Coleman for 55,000gns.

"He has been bought for a syndicate and will probably come back as a yearling to reoffer. Anthony [Stroud] obviously bought A'Ali with Simon Crisford for Sheikh Duaij, and we are keen to support the stallion and thought this is the best A'Ali today.

"He is strong, very athletic, we thought he has plenty of scope for a sprinting horse and Maureen was a top racehorse herself and has produced Whenthedealinsdone who was 100-odd rated. I thought he had a great attitude, great outlook, strength and is a very good mover. He looks a horse who will run.

"I have seen a couple of nice ones by the stallion for tomorrow and he makes a nice shape of a foal. He is a small horse, but he has got plenty of foals here with plenty of size, I think it is encouraging."

Frozen Fire relative

Jamie Railton, the consignor of the day’s top lot, turned purchaser for the Nathaniel colt out of the Camelot mare Chesapeake Shores who he secured for 55,000gns.

Consigned by Mickley Stud on behalf of breeder Wood Farm Stud, the colt is out of a three-parts sister to Group 1 Irish Derby winner Frozen Fire.

"He has been bought to come back to Book 2," revealed Railton. "He is an awfully good-looking horse, he has a lot of potential and the second dam produced a Derby winner. He will go to Ireland from here."

The Foal Sale continues on Wednesday.

FOAL SALE DAY 1 STATISTICS

Current Year Previous Year Change %

Catalogued 259 306 -15%

Withdrawn 32 36 -11%

Offered 227 270 -16%

Unsold 92 81 +14%

Sold 135 189 -29%

Aggregate 1,517,450gns 3,128,300gns -51%

Median 8,000gns 13,000gns -38%

Average 11,240gns 16,552gns -32%

% sold 59% 70% -16%