By Emma Berry
Tattersalls had already set a new record for annual turnover halfway through the third session of the December Mares' Sale and the 2016 tally had passed 265 million gns by the time the hammer fell for the final time at Park Paddocks on Thursday afternoon. By Chairman Edmond Mahony's own admission, this year's Mares' Sale was not a vintage edition, but large drafts of coveted individuals from Godolphin and Juddmonte in particular, kept figures not too far off those set last year.
With only one more lot sold from December Mares Sale when compared to last year's auction–681 from 891 offered–the clearance rate was up by one point at 76% with turnover falling by 4% to 44,709,200gns. The average and median shifted downwards, but only very slightly, both falling by 4% to 65,652gns and 27,000gns respectively.
Incorporating the figures for yearlings and foals from the previous week, the December Sale as a whole turned over 79,655,050gns (-5%) for 1,566 horses of all ages for an average of 50,865gns (-2%) and median of 22,000gns (-8%). The clearance rate improved by 4% to 78%.
Reflecting on a year in which Tattersalls deliberately kept yearling and foal sale numbers tight with noted success, Mahony commented, “2016 has been an historic year for Tattersalls. It is 250 years since Richard Tattersall founded the world's first company of bloodstock auctioneers and we are proud custodians of that legacy. We are equally proud that the company has marked this special year with record annual turnover in excess of 265 million guineas and that the Tattersalls December Sale has reinforced its reputation as probably the most international bloodstock sale in the world. It has been a privilege to have welcomed buyers this week from every continent in the world and they have all contributed to a uniquely diverse sale which has brought our anniversary year to a successful conclusion.”
He continued, “The unprecedented annual turnover demonstrates the sustained appetite for quality European bloodstock in all sectors of the market and this has been clearly re-emphasised throughout the December Sale. Record demand at the October Yearling Sale and the Autumn Horses in Training Sale has been followed by truly global participation this week. While the catalogue may not have been regarded as a vintage one, it has still inspired vibrant international competition, particularly at the top end of the market, with the outstanding mare Hazariya (Ire) (Xaar {GB}) deservedly topping the sale at 2 million guineas, high-class race fillies consistently commanding premium prices, and the annual major consignments from both Godolphin and Juddmonte Farms proving as ever to be hugely popular.”
The December Sale routinely closes in subdued fashion and this year was no exception. The fourth session of fillies and mares posted the lowest clearance rate of the week with just 62% of 171 lots offered finding a new owner. Another 616,500gns was added to the sale's aggregate, but this was down by 5% on the same day last year, and the median fell by 18% to 3,000gns. Only the average figure showed an improvement, up by 8% to 5,816gns.
Leading the way was 8-year-old Arabescatta (GB) (Monsun {Ger}), who will be joining the broodmare ranks at Peter Kavanagh's Kildaragh Stud having been bought through Federico Barberini for 38,000gns. Lot 2304 failed to conceive to Helmet (Aus) in April, but she is already the dam of a winner through her first foal Amico Americano (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and has fillies by Redoute's Choice (Aus), Pivotal (GB) and Mastercraftsman (Ire) on the way through.
The well-bred mare was something of a standout on paper in the final session, being a half-sister to G2 Leopardstown Derby Trial S. winner Midas Touch (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) out of Last Second (Ire)'s listed-winning daughter Approach (GB) (Darshaan {GB}).
“She is by Monsun with a huge page,” said Barberini, and there could well be further exciting updates to come as Arabescatta's half-sister Coronet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), winner of the Listed Zetland S. for owner-breeder Denford Stud, holds three Classic entries for 2017.
Toast Of The Town (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) had been sold in foal to Showcasing (GB) to David Redvers for 92,000gns on the same day last year and she returned to Tattersalls to play a leading role on the final quiet day. Having lost her first foal earlier this year, she was offered by Tweenhills Farm & Stud as lot 2284, this time in foal to their resident stallion Havana Gold (GB), and was bought back by her co-breeder Nick Cable for 32,000gns. Cable bought her dam Boast (GB) (Most Welcome {GB}) for 180,000gns at the 2008 July Sale and received 160,000gns when Toast Of The Town was offered as a yearling three years later. Her half-sister Strut (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) is a listed winner and dam of the European Champion Sprinter of 2012, Lady Rothschild's Mince (GB) (Medicean {GB}). Recent top-class winners from the family include G1 July Cup winner and young sire, Mayson (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and this year's G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Sinhalite (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
The other mare to sell for 32,000gns on Thursday was lot 2255, Excello (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). Only eight, this was the sixth appearance in the sales ring for the half-sister to Dubai listed winner Rafeej (GB), who had been covered by that colt's sire Iffraaj (GB) in May but is not in foal. Her first foal, Ernest (Showcasing {GB}), was a winner last year at three for Robert Cowell. Trainer Richard Spencer signed for the mare on behalf of Phil Cunningham, whose Rebel Racing has her 2-year-old La Isla Bonita (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}) in training.
Continuing his recap of the December Sale as a whole, Mahony said, “Eight of the top 10 highest-priced foals in Britain and Ireland, 76 foals selling for 100,000gns or more and a further 110 breaking the six-figure mark last week, are all clear indicators of a market in which quality has been well rewarded. The 10 highest-priced mares and fillies this week were sold to buyers from Britain, France, Ireland, Japan, South Africa and the USA, while buyers from Australia, China, and the Gulf region also made significant contributions at every level of the market. As ever, we must thank our vendors, British, Irish and from further afield, who make the Tattersalls December Sale the premier sale of its type in Europe. Every year we visit as many overseas markets as possible, but the consistent support from our vendors is equally crucial in annually attracting the major global players to the December Sale.”
In keeping with a number of other major figures in the bloodstock world, Mahony ended his overview with a note of warning regarding the overproduction concerns currently facing the industry, saying, “Although we can reflect on a successful and historic year, we are also mindful that there are sectors of the market which are facing major challenges. This time last year we reflected on the significant rise in the number of horses catalogued and offered at Tattersalls and the inevitable impact at the lower end of the market. This year we have endeavoured to manage the numbers in both the October Yearling Sale and the December Foal Sale more carefully, and clearance rates held up remarkably well, but this only masks the reality that demand in the lower tiers of the market is well below the level of supply. This is an issue we must all face together, but in the meantime we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to each and every purchaser and vendor, all of whom have played a part in a memorable 250th year of selling thoroughbreds at Tattersalls.”
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