US yearling sale ends on a positive note

Fasig Tipton's three-day Saratoga Yearling Sales ended on a positive note with the overall average attaining its highest level since 1990. There was also a news sales topper to contend with. Tuesday's record crumbled when Demi O'Byrne went to $1.4 million to buy a Gulch colt.

The son of Gulch, purchased on behalf of John Magnier and Michael Tabor, is closely related to top-class American performers, A P Indy and Summer Squall. O'Byrne said: "It is the same cross as the Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch. I thought I might have to go to a million dollars, but never this high."

The average price rose 13.5 per cent to $183,384 compared to last year, with the median rising a healthy 15.4 per cent from $130,000 to $150,000.

Corey Nakatani, suspended a month for elbowing an apprentice out of the saddle after a race at Del Mar last Sunday, has decided not to appeal. Nakatani will be sidelined from 11 August to 10 September. He will be required to attend a course in anger management and his licence will be on probation for one year.

The Grade One 1998 Florida Derby has received a $250,000 cash injection. The Florida Derby, due to be run on 14 March next year, will carry a total purse of $750,000.