The third and penultimate session of the Deauville December Sale on Monday registered results almost identical to last year with turnover up 5% and the average of 8,221 euros up 2%.

Black Sam Bellamy mare Salontanzerin topped the session when she made 42,000 euros to the bid of Moroccan owner-breeder Driss Tarik.  She has won five races and comes from the family of Mark Johnston’s tough stayer Peppertree Lane.

Tarik owns 200 horses in Morocco and will leave Salontanzerin in training with Henri-Alex Pantall.  She will eventually be covered by Moroccan based sire Russian Cross (Cape Cross) who was a G2 winner at Deauville.

The Aga Khan Studs consigned Grand Lodge mare Vezara who also made 42,000 euros.  She was offered in foal to Slickly and was knocked down to trainer David Smaga for 42,000 euros.  Her dam is G1 Prix de Diane winner Vereva.

Investors from Morocco, Tunisia and Libya signed for around 40 lots on Day 3 while about 20 mares will be bound for Turkey.

The top-priced foal was a filly by Blue Gum Farm shuttler Astronomer Royal.  The Danzig stallion stands at Haras de la Reboursière and his filly is from Miss Kriss Kross, a four-time winner in Sweden.

1,000 euros = AUD 1,349