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The 2007 Tattersalls' December Foal sale concluded with slight downturn in turnover by one percent to 28,684,600 guineas.

The average of 36,541guineas was down by six percent from 2006 figurees and the media was down nine percent to 20,000 guineas as the clearnace rate dropped alarmingly from 82 percent to 61 percent.

The sale concluded on Saturday with a final session top price of of 240,000 guineas paid by agent Dwayne Woods for a Green Desert half-sister to Danehill's dual G1 winner Simply Perfect.

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said last year's December Foal Sale set new records across the board when the average rose by a massive 34 percent and turnover was up 24 percent.

"This year's Foal sale has all but matched those extraordinary figures with turnover and average second only to 2006," he said.

"To a large degree, this week's foal trade has mirrored the yearling market, with demand at the top of the market as strong, if not stronger, than ever.

"The number of foals making 200,000 guineas or more has exceeded even last year's total, and competition for quality, commercial foals has been intense throughout the five days.

"The one statistic, however, which does not compare well with last year is the percentage of lots sold and, with the huge numbers cataloged, it has been evident that the market has been unforgiving for foals which fell short of the stringent standards set by the pinhookers."