Two colts by leading first season stallion Iffraaj provided the highlights when Book 2 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale commenced on Monday.  Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock advisor John Ferguson bought both colts for a total of 310,000 guineas.

The session topping lot was the colt by Iffraaj out of the Forest Camp mare Camp Riverside that made 160,000gns.  He was consigned from the Nottinghamshire-based Denniff Farms and is from a half-sister to Group winner River Proud.

Earlier in the day Ferguson had to go to 150,000gns to secure the Iffraaj colt out of the Riverman mare Voyage Of Dreams.  The colt had been pin-hooked for just 22,000gns at the 2009 Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

“Iffraaj is a horse that improved throughout his career and he has made an exceptional start with his two-year-olds,” Ferguson said.  “We bought plenty last week and are very pleased with them.”

Iffraaj (Zafonic) is based at Darley’s Kildangan Stud and shuttles to Haunui Farm in New Zealand.  He has sired 32 individual winners so far this term including last week’s G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Wootton Bassett.

Ferguson also took the opportunity to assure the industry that Darley will adjust its service fees for the 2011 northern breeding season.  “These are difficult times for many, and the biggest single issue for all is the cost of production,” he said.  “We will sit down next month and work out what we are going to do and, yes, some will be coming down.”

Third on Monday’s leader board was the High Chaparral colt out of the Green Desert mare Desert Classic.  He was consigned by Heatherwold Stud and made 145,000gns to the bid of Coolmore’s M V Magnier.

The opening session of Book 2 saw 192 lots sell for 6.26 million guineas at an average of 32,651 guineas which was similar to the opening session at last year’s renewal.   Book 2 continues on Tuesday.