Waratah Thoroughbreds owner Paul Fudge topped Day 1 of the Tattersalls December Mare Sale with a 625,000 guineas bid for Miss Keller.

Canadian Champion Turf Filly Miss Keller was knocked down to agent Michael Goodbody on behalf of Fudge.  The G1 winning filly is a daughter of Montjeu and Listed winner Ingozi (Warning).  She was consigned by Three Chimneys Sales.

Fudge has been an active player at auctions worldwide in recent years after selling a coal seam gas exploration permit to Origin Energy for $466 million.

He began building an extensive bloodstock folio at the 2010 Keeneland November Sale paying $2.92 million for seven horses.  

A this year’s Arqana August yearling sale, he topped the first two sessions with 1.70 million euros for a Galileo filly and 440,000 euros for an Invincible Spirit colt.

Monday’s opening session of the Tattersalls December Mare Sale saw rises across the board with 168 lots sold for 10.57 million guineas.  The average of 62,958 guineas represented a 14% rise on last year whilst the median rose 17% to 30,500 guineas.

The Tattersalls December Sale continues through to Thursday.