BBAG Yearling Sale concludes on a high note

Saturday's closing installment of the BBAG Yearling Sale continued in the

same vein as Friday's first session, with strong trade and a solid middle

market.

"We are truly pleased with the outcome of this sale," commented BBAG Managing

Director Verena Gang. "The total aggregate has increased once again and we have

gained new clients from South Africa and Singapore. Even though the top price

could have been a bit higher, the strong trade and solid middle market were more

than pleasing."

Foreign buyers were active throughout the final day, accounting for almost

half the trade, and included those from as far as the United States, South

Africa, England, Ireland, France, the Czech Republic and Russia. Domestic young

sires with their first yearlings on the ground were again well received,

especially those from the first crops of Black Sam Bellamy, Sholokhov, Samum and

Royal Dragon. Representatives of Galileo (Ire), High Chaparral (Ire) and Hawk

Wing also attracted the attention of the buyers.

The highlight of the second day was Gestut Etzean's Lot No. 105, a Monsun

colt out of the classic-placed Dashing Blade mare Finora. BBA Germany's Dirk

Eisele signed the ticket at a sales-topping 200,000. Leading buyer Manfred Hofer

was also active, securing Gestut Wittekindshof's Lot 149, a Singspiel (Ire) colt

out of the stakes-winning Salde for 150,000. Not to be outdone, Dr. Christoph

Berglar matched that price for Union-Gestut's Lot 204, a High Chaparral (Ire)

filly from the immediate family of the July Cup (Eng-G1) hero Owington (GB).

That price was equaled yet again when Gestut Haus Ittlingen won the bidding for

Lot 251, an attractive Lando (Ger) half-brother to this year's German Oaks

(Ger-G1) heroine, Almerita (Medicean).

A healthy clearance rate of more than 81 percent saw the sale's aggregate

rise by 7.3 percent, with both average and median also boasting significant

increases.