Desert Prince colt lights up sales ring at Tattersalls at $3.5-million
A regally bred colt from the first crop of champion Desert Prince brought a final bid of 2,300,000 guineas—about $3,563,571—from Gainsborough Stud Management's Michael Goodbody to top the second session of the Tattersalls Houghton yearling sale on Wednesday.The bay colt is out of Irish champion Park Express, by Ahonoora, and is a half brother to champion filly Dazzling Park and Japanese stakes winner Shinko Forest.
The price paid for the colt from the consignment of Ireland's Lodge Park Stud is the third-highest ever at public auction in Europe and it is the highest for a yearling from a first crop sire.
Tattersalls reported sales of 65 yearlings during the second session for total receipts of 13,704,000 guineas ($21,232,716) and an average of 210,831 guineas ($326,657). For last year's corresponding session, 69 yearlings were sold for a total of 15,387,000 guineas ($22,706,206) and an average of 223,000 guineas ($345,512).
For the combined two days, Tattersalls sold 97 yearlings for a total of 21,862,000 guineas ($33,872,566) and an average of 225,381 guineas ($349,201).