by Tim Nichols

Total sales, average price, and median all experienced declines on Thursday as Book 3 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale opened in England.

The opening session of Book 3 saw 194 of 252 horses offered sell for $3,089,261 (1,842,300 guineas), an 8.5% decline compared with last year’s session. Average fell 17.5% to $15,923 (9,496 guineas) and median declined 12.5% to $11,738 (7,000 guineas) compared with last year’s figures.

Blandford Bloodstock purchased the session topper for $83,842 (50,000 guineas), a chestnut colt by Shamardal out of the unplaced Salse mare Ridotto, from the consignment of Horse Park Stud. Two-time Italian champion Carnauba, multiple Grade 3 winner Ebony Breeze, and European highweight Shaanxi are notable family members.

BBA Ireland’s Michael Donohoe signed a ticket for $65,397 (39,000 guineas) for the session’s second-highest price, a chestnut Singspiel (Ire) colt. Consigned by New England Stud, the colt is out of the placed Grand Lodge mare Hot And Spicy. Oaks d'Italia (Ity-G1) (Italian Oaks) winner Zanzibar and multiple graded stakes winner Spice Route (GB) are notable family members.

The Book 3 sale continues Friday at 10 a.m. local time.

Tim Nichols is internet content editor for Thoroughbred Times