Fasig Tipton's three-day Saratoga Yearling Sales ended on a positive note on Thursday night with the overall average attaining its highest level since 1990.

There was also a news sales topper to contend with. Tuesday's record crumbled when Demi O'Byrne went to $1.4 million to buy a Gulch colt.

The son of Gulch, purchased on behalf of John Magnier and Michael Tabor, is closely related to top-class American performers, A P Indy and Summer Squall.

O'Byrne said: "It is the same cross as the Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch. I thought I might have to go to a million dollars, but never this high."

The average price rose 13.5 per cent to 183,384 compared to last year, with the median rising a healthy 15.4 per cent from 130,000 to 150,000.

Castlekellyleader, a smart hurdler for Paul Nicholls, has died. Nicholls said: "Basically, he died from a serious back injury."