LEXINGTON, Ky. - Darley Stud owner Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum will send two well-bred first-year stallions to China in 2012 as a way of aiding the development of Chinese bloodstock, Darley announced Monday.

Australian Group 1 winner Sousa, by Galileo, and former $9.7 million yearling Jalil, by Storm Cat, will enter stud under the management of Junling Sun, a graduate of Darley’s well-known Flying Start program, a selective international program for students interested in going into the Thoroughbred business.

The Tattersalls October yearling sale ended Friday with healthy gains overall after selling the highest-priced yearling of the European and North American season so far.

The three-book auction in Newmarket, England, consisted of seven sessions that sold 1,222 yearlings for an aggregate of about $130,700,997 and an average price of about $106,957. The median was approximately $58,065. The gross was up 8 percent from last year's total, and the average and median prices rose by 26 percent and 29 percent, respectively.

The recent Barretts October yearling sale had its highest average in four years, leaving sale officials optimistic that growth is looming in the California yearling market.

The two-day sale, held on Tuesday evening and during the day on Wednesday, saw 154 horses sell for $2,599,700, an average of $16,811. The average was 19.4 percent higher than the 2010 average of $14,128, which was boosted by a reduction of yearling owned by Marty and Pam Wygod.

This year was the second consecutive year the average increased; the 2009 sale averaged $12,413.

England’s Tattersalls October yearling sale closed its Book 2 portion Thursday with double-digit gains, adding to confidence that the international yearling market could be rebounding.

The final Book 2 session ended Thursday in Newmarket with 206 yearlings bringing about $13,077,068, for an average price of around $63,481 and an approximate median of $44,793. For the entire three-day auction, 635 yearlings brought about $41,946,986.Tthat made for an average price of $66,058. The median was $49,770.

Petionville, whose runners include multiple Grade 1 winner Island Fashion and 2011 graded performer Fashion Trend, will relocate from Kentucky to Pennsylvania for the coming breeding season.

A 19-year-old Seeking the Gold stallion, Petionville will stand in 2012 at Michael Jester’s Penn Ridge Farms in Harrisburg, Pa. He previously stood at Margaux Farm in Kentucky, where he had a $7,500 fee this year. Penn Ridge has not announced Petionville’s 2012 fee but will offer special consideration for Pennsylvania-bred mares.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The owner of Lane’s End Farm, Will Farish, has bought an interest in Breeders’ Cup Mile contender and classy turf male Courageous Cat and says the horse, by Storm Cat, will stand at Lane’s End after the Nov. 5 BC Mile at Churchill Downs.

LEXINGTON, Ky. − When Fasig-Tipton announced it will offer Ballerina Stakes winner Hilda’s Passion as a racing or broodmare prospect at its Nov. 6 select mixed sale, news that she might run again caught people’s attention.

The two-day Barretts October yearling sale in Pomona, Calif., ended on Wednesday with an increase in gross, average and median prices compared to the 2010 sale.

Overall, 154 horses sold for $2,599,700, an average of $16,881 and a median of $9,750. The average price increased 19.4 percent from the average of $14,128 of the 2010 sale, which saw 160 horses sell for $2,260,400. The median price at the 2010 sale was $9,000.

The Tattersalls October yearling sale's Book 2 portion enjoyed more gains Wednesday at its second session in Newmarket, England.

The session's top-priced yearling was a 220,000-guinea Shamardal colt out of the Montjeu mare Melody Fair. The bay colt sold for the equivalent of about $314,160 to Ross Doyle. Pier House Stud was the consignor. Currently named Meshardal, the colt is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Strawberry Dale.

Led by two colts purchased for $100,000, Tuesday evening’s opening session of the Barretts October yearling sale in Pomona, Calif., showed hefty gains over the similar session in 2010.

Overall, 55 horses were sold for $1,493,000, an average of $27,145. The average increased 47 percent over the 2010 session, which saw 57 horses sell for $1,051,500, an average of $18,447. The median price on Tuesday was $20,000, compared to $10,000 in 2010.

BARRETTS SALE: Live streaming video, full Day 1 results »