Business positive as DBS sale concludes

Spirited bidding on the final day of the DBS December Sale was dominated by

transactions restricted to the National Hunt code, which boosted returns across

the board at Doncaster Monday. Indeed, the top three lots will remain in the

jumping sphere with the highest-priced flat transaction coming in just under the

radar at £46,000 for the stakes-placed BEAT

SEVEN (Beat Hollow [GB]). Offered by trainer Gay Kelleway's Queen Alexandra

Stables as Hip No. 177, the three-year-old filly is bound for Winterbeck Manor

Stud, whose representatives saw off Matt Coleman of Anthony Stroud Bloodstock.

Aggregate returns improved a shade over two percent, despite a slimmer

catalog which was held over a day less than last year, while the average and

median each surged over 60 percent, albeit off a low base.

"2009 has certainly been a real rollercoaster year in the bloodstock world,

but we have been delighted to see the pragmatic optimism that we urged last year

really come to the fore over the last few months," said DBS Managing Director

Henry Beeby at the close of the year's play. "The bloodstock community is an

admirably resilient bunch and the confidence that has returned to the market is

most encouraging.

"The DBS year has been challenging in many areas, but our results have been

far from catastrophic. Our turnover is down, but we must remember that DBS

endured lesser falls than some in 2008 as our two biggest sales were held before

the economic crisis that affected so many others whilst, in common with others,

we have cataloged less horses this year which, in turn, has led to an improved

clearance rate."

Full results can be viewed at dbsauctions.com.