Day 1 of the Tattersalls Craven 2YO Breeze-Up Sale returned a 2% increase in average, however, overall trade reflected a selective market and many lots failed to return a profit on their yearling costs.

The smallest catalogue since 1993 helped the average which panned out at 77,989gns (AUD 135,445).  The clearance rate fell 9 points to 64%.

Eddie Stobart CEO Andrew Tinkler bought the top lot of the opening session when he bid 210,000gns (AUD 364,661) for a Shamardal colt from a daughter of Flying Childers Stakes winner Land Of Dreams.  Tinkler also paid 160,000gns (AUD 277,837) for a Dubawi colt earlier in the sale.

“The Shamardal is going to Michael Dods and I liked him as soon as he came out of the box,” Tinkler said.  “I studied the breezes and was very impressed with the Dubawi.  He looked sharp.”

Sheikh Mohammed had been the backbone of recent Craven Sales and, although on site, he didn’t set Park Paddocks alight on Wednesday night.

Darley advisor John Ferguson bought the top-class colts Vale Of York and Passion For Gold at last year’s Craven Sale and it’s likely he was behind agents like John McCormack who bought a Medaglia D’Oro colt for 200,000gns (AUD 347,296).

“He is for an established client and will stay in Europe,” McCormack said.  “His sire is following in the steps of his father El Prado who can get serious dirt and grass horses.  Not many stallions can do that.”

A Monsun colt bred by Ben Sangster was knocked down to Tom Goff of Blandford Bloodstock for 180,000gns (AUD 312,566) as was a French-bred Azamour colt who be raced by Ibrahim Araci.

The Turkish owner-breeder runs Vefa Stud near Izmit and he will send the grey colt to Ed Dunlop who has five horses in training for him at present.