A half-sister to Cheveley Park stallion Kyllachy set a new record for Doncaster’s second-tier St Leger Festival yearling sale on Thursday night.

The Royal Applause filly was the last lot into the sale ring and sold for 65,000 pounds (AUD 108,500) to Chris and Julie Wood who race this year’s G2 Coventry Stakes winner Strong Suit (Rahy) and G2 Flying Childers Stakes winner Zebedee (Invincible Spirit).  Offered on account of Wheelersland Stud, the February-born filly is the final foal of Song mare Pretty Poppy.

The one-day sale averaged 10,644 pounds (AUD 17,770) which was up 30% on last year’s result.  “Contracting the sale to one good evening has resulted in the average and median leaping by a third together with a very respectable clearance rate,” DBS Managing Director Henry Beeby said.  

“It’s never easy for an Auction House to take the decision to cut a sale in terms of numbers.  That inevitably means a lower turnover and that is what pays us, however, we feel vindicated on this occasion and it provides cause for some optimism as the sales season swings into overdrive.”