by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

Thai Mahal — an Andover Hall filly — was by far the most expensive yearling sold on the first day of the Norwegian Derby Sale held at Bjerke in Oslo on Friday night (Sept. 4).

The handsome filly fetched a price of NOK420,000 — or $70,000.

She is out of Sweetpike by Armbro Goal. Sweetpike has earlier brought Thai Tanic (by Viking Kronos) who has been a top trotter with a record of 1:52.2f and more than $1.4 million in earnings.

The breeder, Siv T. Bergsligen, who breeds the Thai trotters, had a very good sale as she sold two other yearlings for more than NOK200,000 NOK — or $33,000.

Thai Figeac, sired by Kadabra, was sold for $35,000. His dam is Continental Act (by Armbro Goal). Further Thai Zenato (by Credit Winner) was sold for $33,000. He is out of the Florida Pro mare Florida Flukt.

In all, 38 yearlings were sold for an average price of $15,600.

The sale continues Saturday night.

It’s Derby time

It’s Derby time in Scandinavia. Last weekend the Finnish Trotting Derby was won by Target Hoss (sired by Muscles Yankee) and the Danish Trotting Derby was won by Nice Lottle Ârt (sired by Golden Globe).

The Swedish Trotting Derby, as well as the Norwegian Trotting Derby, will be raced Sunday afternoon (Sept. 6).

At Jägersro in Sweden, 12 4-year-old trotters will compete for a purse for the winner of $220,000. Four trotters in the field are sired by Viking Kronos.

At Bjerke in Norway they will go after a purse of $125,000 for the winner.