Sydney-based Scott Springett breeder topped the fourth and final session of the Tattersalls December Mare Sale on Thursday with a 62,000gns (AUD 116,830) bid to secure G1 winner Wannabe Grand.

The 1998 Cheveley Park Stakes winner has produced six winners from as many runners including Japanese stakes winner Zetto Kirk.  Springett is part of the syndicate that bought the Lee Freedman bound stayers Dr Fremantle and Above Average at Tattersalls last month.

Wannabe Grand (Danehill) was not covered this year after having an Authorized foal in May.

“We can take her straight home and she’ll probably go to More Than Ready, Springett said.  “It’s been a successful cross and we hope to get a good two-year-old.”

Springett also paid 70,000gns (AUD 131,905) for G3 winner Theoretically and 42,000gns (AUD 79,145) for New Zealand G1 winner Zola earlier this week.

The 2009 December Sale saw across the board increases after last year’s disaster.  Turnover was up 14% to 56.90 million gns (AUD 153.17 million), average rose 3% to 40,674gns (AUD 77,370) and the 79% clearance rate skyrocketed 16 points.

“The economic upheavals of 2008 had a dramatic effect on the bloodstock industry and we approached the 2009 sales season with an air of trepidation, but the resilience of the market has been extraordinary,” Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said.  “From the beginning of Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale to the conclusion of the December Sale today, Tattersalls sales have outperformed expectation.

“Not only have the figures provided encouragement for the industry going forward, but equally importantly there has been a genuinely vibrant feel to the proceedings of the last two weeks at Park Paddocks.”