Ballylinch Stud sires Lawman and Loup De Vega filled the top three spots on the leader-board during Day 2 of the Tattersalls Foal Sale at Newmarket on Thursday.

The Lawman leader is out of the Polish Precedent mare Whole Grain and he was knocked down to Timmy Hyde for 120,000 guineas.  The colt is out of a sister to G1 Irish Oaks winner Pure Grain.  “He is a very nice individual and a good walker,” Hyde said.  “He is from a good family and his stallion is doing very well.

“The market has been very strong and there are a lot of nice horses here and some good young sires.  I have only bought one other – I was feeling left out and thought I had better get one!”

The Lope De Vega colt from Woodman mare Woodmaven created plenty of interest before Croom House Stud’s Paul McCarten secured him for 115,000 guineas.  He’s a half-brother to the stakes performed pair Sylvestris and Roof Fiddle.

Lawman is a French Derby winning son of Invincible Spirit and he has enjoyed a bumper 2012 with Group 1 wins to Law Enforcement (Gran Criterium) and Most Improved (St James’s Palace).

His colt out of the Quiet American mare Fonda made 110,000 guineas to the bid of Liam Norris.  He is a three-quarter brother to Shadwell’s impressive two-year-old winner Ribaat.  “We were just mad for him,’ said Norris.  “He is a beautiful colt and we were very keen to get him.  He will be reoffered next year.”

Day 2 of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale saw a total of 207 lots sold for 5.50 million guineas.  The average of 26,609 guineas dipped 5% and the median of 20,000 guineas was the same as 2011.  The clearance rate was a remarkable 87%.

The Tattersalls December Foal Sale continues on Friday.

Currency converter:  1,000 guineas = AUD 1,610