A son of SLEEPING CAR topped the DBS Spring Store Sales when selling to Highflyer Bloodstock for 86,000. The three year old, named ROCK'N'ROLL BLUE, was consigned by Mocklershill Stables and was out of a half sister to IRIS BLEU, winner of the Listed Badger Ales Trophy Chase at Wincanton and comes from a strong National Hunt family that includes LAMIE BLEUE and MUSICA BELLA. Paul Webber was among those who showed interest in the gelding, but it was Anthony Bromley who made the final bid when standing with Paul Nicholls, who has bought him for an existing owner.

Another to join the Ditcheat Stables is a three year old son ofPRESENTING who was consigned by Goldford Stud. The attractive Chestnut is out of OUT RANKING, who won twenty races and was placed in the Listed William Hill Hurdle at Sandown and he attracted plenty of attention before Nicholls and Bromley made the final bid at 60,000 on behalf of Andy Stewart.

I'MSINGINGTHEBLUES was sold as a DBS National Hunt foal before winning a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham earlier this season and his half brother realised 72,000 when consigned by Mill House Stud. The three year old son of DEFINITE ARTICLE comes from the family of PONMEOATH and NUMBERSIXVALVERDE and was knocked down to Carl Llewellyn, who has bought him for an undisclosed client.

Kenneth Oliver was one of the co-founders of DBS in 1962 and his Hassendean Bank Stud, now run by his wife Rhona , consigned a four year old son of KARINGA BAY. He came from the family of DEEP SENSATION and DUSKY LORD and is a half brother to EDGEOVER, who was third in the valuable DBS Spring Sales Bumper at Newbury last year before winning over hurdles earlier this season. The easy walking gelding attracted plenty of attention and it was Dessie Hughes and Howard Johnson who made the final bids before the hammer came down to Johnson at 70,000.

SLEEPING CAR has been extremely popular at DBS Sales for a number of years and his three year old son realised 68,000 when selling to Mags O'Toole. Already named ASKLEPIOS, the gelding was consigned by Trickledown Stud and comes from a good French family and is likely to be trained in Ireland. Mill House Stud consigned another by the Sire just two lots later and she realised 50,000 when selling to Alan King. The four year old was a half sister to Lough Derg, winner of the Grade 1Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot this year and is an exciting Racing/Breeding prospect for her new owners.

Futurerate Ltd consigned LEAD ON in 2004 before he won aGrade 2 Novice Chase at Cheltenham earlier this year and their 2008 consignment was topped by a son ofFLEMENSFIRTH who realised 60,000. The four year old is a full brother to COTTAGE OAK, who has won two bumpers for Noel Meade this season and he looks to be an exciting prospect for the future.

DBS Managing Director, Henry Beeby said after the Sale:

'We are perfectly satisfied with the last two days trading for our National Hunt Stores without being ecstatic. There is little doubt that we lacked some of the stars we have sold so successfully in the past but, that said, I am supremely confident that the sale will again enjoy great success on the track as has been the case in recent years and, in particular, throughout the 2007/2008 NH season. As expected the market has been selective but it has been far stronger than many thought would be the case which is testament to the enduring appeal of the DBS Spring Sales. The middle market has proved solid and the better lots have had plenty of bidders competing for them. This was graphically illustrated by the fact that we sold 11 lots for 50,000 or over as opposed to 10 last year. Many were perhaps spurred on by the thought of our 370,000 sales topper last week who was purchased for 36,000 guineas at this sale last year and has proved to be the second highest priced NH horse in history.

"In terms of statistics we have to be content as our turnover is almost identical and the average price within half a bid of last year

"We continue to feel justified in feting the Spring Sales as the World's Premier National Hunt Sales as the two catalogues combine to provide the ultimate collection of past, present and future NH stars and we are proud to have sold the world's highest priced NH horse for the eighth successive year.

"As ever we extend our heartfelt thanks to our loyal band of vendors and purchasers.'