Yorton Farm in Welshpool welcomed buyers back to the second edition of the Goffs UK Yorton Sale on Thursday, with a son of Blue Bresil leading the way at £60,000 to a bid from Nicky Henderson and Highflyer Bloodstock.

That figure was more than half of the sum that had been paid for Prince Des Fichaux, who topped the inaugural renewal of the auction last year when selling to owner Dai Walters for £105,000.

Henderson’s new purchase is out of the winning Hernando mare Hora and is a half-brother to Thomas Campbell, whom he trained to win six races including the Listed Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham’s November meeting in 2017.

Blue Bresil, who stood at Yorton from 2016-19 until relocating to Glenview Stud in Ireland for this year’s breeding season, was also responsible for the day’s third top lot, a yearling gelding out of the Old Vic mare Land Of Vic, who is from the family of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner See More Business.

Walters was active at this year’s sale when he went to £50,000 to secure a son of Maxios who boasts a classy pedigree, as a half-brother to the Group 3-winning Steel Princess, herself the dam of Grade 1 Canadian International heroine Sarah Lynx.

Yorton Stud’s David Futter said: “We are delighted. Given everything that is happening right now we have been very lucky to have been able to hold this sale and the level of support has been humbling.

“We see a big future for this sale, it really is a unique event on the sale calendar and we hope people have enjoyed it. I want to pass on a big thanks to the Yorton team who have once again put in a huge effort and to Goffs UK for all their help. We are looking forward to 2021 already.”

Tim Kent, Goffs UK’s Managing Director, added: “Holding any sale during the Covid era has presented us with additional challenges, and none more than this unique sale which is very different to any other. But that is the appeal of the Yorton Sale and we are delighted with what we have achieved with David Futter and his team.

“The Yorton team had managed to compile a selection of horses that had significantly improved from last year’s sale, both physically and on paper, and this fact was not lost on purchasers who helped to achieve a 78% clearance rate which is a positive result in any year.

“Although we are unable to entertain the same number of visitors as last year, and with much of the overseas bidding coming via telephone bids or the Goffs online platform, the atmosphere was very similar to last year’s inaugural sale, which clearly demonstrates the unique appeal of this now annual event.

“A wonderful location combined with some beautiful horses and spirited bidding has led to a very good sale in Wales and we would like to thank David Futter and his team for everything that they have done to make today possible. We wish buyers every luck with their purchases and we look forward to doing the same again next year – hopefully in easier circumstances.”