Eclaircie topped the broodmare section on Day 1 of the Tattersalls July sale on Wednesday.  She made 85,000 guineas to the bid of Rabbah Bloodstock which manages the racing interests of friends and business associates of Sheikh Mohammed.

Eclaircie (7m Thunder Gulch – Blushing Gleam by Caerleon) was a Lyon winner for owner-breeders Alain and Gerard Wertheimer.  She has a colt foal at foot by Dubawi and is back in foal to incoming Waikato Stud shuttler Paco Boy.  

Next best among the mares to change hands was Trishuli (Indian Ridge) at 80,000 guineas.  She was offered in-foal to G1 winner Mount Nelson and was bought by BBA Ireland.  The mare will foal down at Coolmore and will be bred back to one of its stallions.

Tatterrsalls reported 162 lots sold for 2.23 million guineas at an average of 13,804 guineas.  That was up 12% on 2010.  The clearance rate was 80%.

Tattersalls has catalogued 753 horses for the July Sale including consignments from top breeders Cheveley Park Stud, Darley, Juddmonte Farms and Shadwell Farm which has 84 lots.

The July sale has built a reputation as a consistent source of quality breeding stock and horses in training, producing the dams of G1 winners St Nicholas Abbey and Wootton Bassett in recent years.

Top price among all sales on Wednesday was Cape Cross colt Top Spin at 175,000 guineas.  The four year-old won at Roscommon and Killarney last year and was last seen finishing second at the Curragh on June 26.

Currency converter: 1,000 guineas = AUD 1,573