TRADE was very strong on the first day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale where a colt by Farhh topped proceedings and a record turnover for the opening session of this fixture was achieved. A total of 191 lots made 2,889,500 guineas, at an average of 15,128 guineas and a median of 10,000 guineas.

The highlight on the first day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale came late on in proceedings when the Farhh colt was knocked down to Yeomanstown Stud’s Gay O’Callaghan for 160,000 guineas, a record-equalling price for the opening session of this fixture.

Consigned by Brook Stud, the March-born foal attracted interest from a number of potential purchasers including eventual underbidder Neil Gilchrist of Capital Bloodstock but it was O’Callaghan who struck the winning bid.

He is out of the winning Nayef mare Radhaadh, who is a half-sister to Group 3 Strensall Stakes winner Mustashry. She was purchased by Brook Stud’s Dwayne Woods at the 2016 Tattersalls July Sale for 55,000 guineas carrying this colt in utero.

After the sale, Woods commented: "We are thrilled. He was always been a delight to work with, he is a great walker, has a lot of presence and he produced that here. It is nice to see him sell so well. We can't take the credit for the covering, but have been lucky to harvest the result!"

FIRST SEASON SIRES

Coolmore Stud’s Ivawood led the way for the first season sires during the opening session with his son of the Royal Applause mare Quickstep Queen realising 105,000 guineas to the bid of Amanda Skiffington.

Consigned by the Irish National Stud on behalf of Mr John McLoughney, the attractive March-born colt is from the family of Group 2 Prix du Gros-Chene winner Millyant.

Skiffington knows Ivawood well, having bought him as a yearling at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 220,000 guineas.

Subsequently trained by Richard Hannon, the son of Zebedee won both the Group 2 Richmond Stakes and Group 2 July Stakes at two and was placed in both the 2000 Guineas and Irish 2000 Guineas under the ownership of Fiona Carmichael.

Skiffington, who fended off competition from a number of interested parties including Justin Casse and eventual underbidder ‘Flash’ Conroy, commented: "He has been purchased for Fiona Carmichael, who owned Ivawood.

"She was keen to buy one by the sire, and we felt this was the nicest. He has been bought to race. We had hoped that we wouldn't need to spend so much, but when I saw all the good pin-hookers on him, I knew it would be hard work."

MORE IRISH CONNECTIONS

Another highlight on the first day was a colt by Highclere Stud’s first season sire Cable Bay purchased for 75,000 guineas by ‘Flash’ Conroy’s Glenvale Stud.

The April-born colt is out of the Cape Cross mare Hewayaat, a half-sister to the Listed Ben Marshall Stakes winner Secrecy, the pair being out of the listed-placed mare Wink.

Cable Bay won the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket and was a consistent performer in pattern company, including a second in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at two. The son of Invincible Spirit stands at Highclere Stud for a fee of £6,500 in 2018.

Coolmore’s first season sire Ivawood was also responsible for the highest priced filly of the day with his daughter of the Galileo mare Parabola knocked down to Margaret O’Toole for 48,000 guineas.

Consigned by Eildon Hill Stables, the April born filly is a half-sister to this year’s Group 3 Concorde Stakes winner Psychedelic Funk, who has been a consistent performer in pattern company for trainer Ger Lyons.

The Tattersalls December Foal Sale continues at 10am on Thursday.

FREE RACING & SALES WALLCHART FOR 2018 IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND