Low-key finale but Mares Sale ends with record turnover

A low-key final session of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in Newmarket on Thursday ignited right at the end as the last lot through the ring, Angelical, was knocked down to Bill Dwan of the Castlebridge Consignment for 35,000gns.

At the close of trade, Thursday's session saw 124 lots sell for a total of 656,400gns - a six per cent rise from last year's figure of 616,500gns.

The average, however, dipped nine per cent from 5,816gns to 5,294gns, while the median recorded no change and remained at 3,000gns.

The four days of the Mares Sale in Newmarket concluded with a strong set of results, with 675 lots from 857 offered sold for 68,315,300gns, a staggering 53 per cent rise on last year's total of 44,709,200gns and a new record for the auction.

The average rose by an equally impressive 54 per cent from 65,652gns to 101,208gns, although the median fell seven per cent from 27,000gns to 25,000gns.

The four-year-old Angelical, a daughter of Dark Angel, has run 16 times throughout her career and secured her first win when landing a 1m2f handicap at Leicester in April. She was signed for under Emerald Bloodstock.

Dwan said: "She is for a friend who was looking for a well-bred filly - he has headed home and left me in charge!"

Out of the winning Mujadil mare Ladylishandra, Angelical is a half-sister to the Group 3 winners Harlem Shake and Tropical Paradise. She was offered by DML Racing and both her trainer, Mark Loughnane, and owner, Mark Brilley, were on hand to see the filly sell.

Brilley added: "She's a well-bred filly, but it was the right point to sell - she had won a race and wasn't going to improve any further. She's made three times her purchase price so we're very pleased."

Cooperate had headed proceedings until overtaken late by Angelical, as Jimmy George, acting on behalf of California-based Edward Freedman, struck at 30,000gns to secure the two-year-old daughter of Excelebration.

Offered by the Castlebridge Consignment, Cooperate has had three runs for Eoghan O'Neill with her best effort coming when runner-up over a mile and a half at Pornichet-La-Baule last month.

George said: "Edward has been here all week working away and I think he found a little jewel lurking in the catalogue on Thursday. He's pleased to have her.

"The great thing for her, not having won, is it gives her even more opportunities out there. She has a rating of about 75 but she's still a maiden, which is a bonus."

Cooperate was one of two lots to make 30,000gns along with Cape To Cuba, who was snapped up by Khalid Mishref. Plans call for the three-year-old daughter of Harbour Watch, a half-sister to Listed winner Mabait, to head to Saudi Arabia to continue her career.

Mishref said: "I bought five foals last week, and they will go to board with Ted Voute, but this filly will be coming to Saudi Arabia. I think she will suit the racing programme and there are some dirt influences in her pedigree."

Watch highlights from a blockbuster week in Newmarket