Weanlings from Bloomsbury Stud’s dispersal highlighted Day 3 of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale on Friday.

Topping the bill was the Singspiel colt out of the Highest Honor mare First who was targeted by the industry’s two heavyweights.  After a rare head-to-head battle between Darley’s John Ferguson and Coolmore’s MV Magnier, the colt was purchased by the Irishman for 320,000 guineas.

“He is a very nice horse,” Magnier said.  “All the lads liked him and he has been bought to race.  It’s obviously a great family and he’s a lovely colt.”

The session-topper is a half-brother to Royal Ascot stakes winner Perfect Stride (Oasis Dream) and Saint-Cloud stakes winner Law Lord (Diktat).

Bloomsbury Stud’s Nayef – Artful (Green Desert) filly was second on the leader-board at 220,000 guineas.  She is a half-sister to the Listed winner Duplicity and was purchased by Jacqueline Norris of Jockey Hall Stud.

Both First and Artful are among 18 fillies and mares to be offered by Bloomsbury Stud next week during the Tattersalls December Mare Sale in what promises to be an eventful final chapter in the dispersal of the great nursery.

Bloomsbury Stud owner the Duchess of Bedford also had extensive bloodstock interests in New Zealand and she part-owns recent G2 Moonee Valley Cup winner Precedence with Dato Tan Chin Nam and Sir Patrick Hogan.

The Day 3 foal trade reached 7.99 million guineas at an average of 59,648 guineas.  The median equalled last year’s level of 40,000 guineas while the average was marginally down from the 2009 figure of 61,813 guineas.

The fourth and final session of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale continues on Saturday.

1,000 guineas = AUD 1,688