Pastoral Pursuits topped Day 1 of the Tattersalls Ireland September yearling sale with a 64,000 euros colt purchased by agent Bertie Butler.

The chestnut is from Right After Moyne (Imperial Ballet) and is a half-brother to three winners including Choisir colt Choose Wisely who has won five races in England at Qatar.  He was also G3 placed in the 2010 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood.

“He will be going into training in either Ireland or the UK,” Butler said after Tuesday’s trade.  “I thought that he was the nicest horse here and has been bought on behalf of a Middle Eastern client.”

Pastoral Pursuits was a G1 winner of the 2005 July Cup at Newmarket and stands alongside Dick Turpin, Cockney Rebel and his own sire Bahamian Bounty at the English National Stud.

Pastoral Pursuits was also popular at the Arqana Deauville yearling sale last month when his half-brother to G2 Richmond Stakes winner Libranno made 150,000 euros.  He was purchased on behalf of Sheikh Joaan Al Thani of Qatar.

Sheikh Joaan’s half-brother Sheikh Fahad owns 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden.

Turnover during the opening session of the two-day sale reached 2.62 million euros.  The average improved 9% to 12,498 euros and the median jumped 22% to 10,000 euros.  The clearance rate was a buoyant 86%.

Currency converter:  1,000 euros = AUD 1,240