Tattersalls Finale Seals Successful Year

As suitcases were packed and the European sales caravan prepared to roll on for its annual end-of-season hurrah in Deauville, Tattersalls' Park Paddocks quieted considerably on Thursday after more than 2,000 horses of all ages had paraded through the famous sales ring throughout the last fortnight.

Last year's record annual turnover for the company of more than 263 million gns could not quite be matched this time around, but the 2015 tally was still in excess of 262 million gns– almost 85 million of which was bid over the last 10 days–making it the second-most successful year in Tattersalls' trading history.

A low-key final session was headed by the 32,000gns purchase by Blandford Bloodstock of Lamps Of Heaven (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (lot 2543) from the Tweenhills Farm & Stud draft. The 3-year-old filly, who won over five furlongs on the Southwell fibresand last month, is out of Star Studded (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), a sister to Land Of Dreams (GB), the dam of champion sprinter Dream Ahead.

Thursday's turnover was down by 39% on the same session for last year, with just 120 of the 186 lots offered finding a buyer for a clearance rate of 65%, average price of 5,396gns (-28%) and median of 3,650gns (-36%).

For the four-day mares' section as a whole, however, the median rose by 8% to 28,000gns, while the average fell slightly, by 3%, to 68,402gns. Clearance rate for 908 fillies and mares offered was 75% for total turnover of 46,513,500gns, a drop of 4%.

As the curtain fell on yet another busy year for Tattersalls, the company's Chairman Edmond Mahony reflected, “Annual turnover in excess of 260 million guineas, second only to last year's record, and the highest price for a broodmare at public auction anywhere in the world this year brings the Tattersalls sales season to a successful conclusion. The Tattersalls December Sale is an annual focal point for the global bloodstock business, a showcase for the best bloodstock to be found in Europe, and as ever, we have welcomed buyers from every continent in the world to Park Paddocks over the past two weeks.

He continued, “Individual December Sale highlights have included the 2.7 million guineas sale of the outstanding broodmare Hanky Panky (video), the 2.1 million guineas paid for European champion Tiggy Wiggy, and the highest priced foal sold in Europe this year. Looking at the Tattersalls sales season as a whole, we can also reflect on record turnover for yearlings with more than 130 million guineas spent at the October Yearling Sales, and the highest-priced auction yearling in the world for the fourth consecutive year. None of these highlights would have been be possible without the wonderful support we have received from the consignors and to see vendors from Britain, Ireland France and America all amongst the top 10 lots this week is a tribute to the enduring global reputation of the December Sale.”

The chairman issued a note of caution, however, for those operating at the lower end of the market, where, as foal crops rise steadily, it becomes harder to trade profitably.

“While international demand for quality Thoroughbreds remains strong, it would be wrong to gloss over some warning signs at the less commercial end of the market,” Mahony opnined. “The number of horses we have offered this year has increased by more than 500 and such, a significant rise has resulted in a more selective market, particularly at the lowest levels. Matching supply with demand is always a delicate balance and we will be aiming to manage the numbers carefully in 2016.”

David Batten Retires after 45 Years at Tattersalls…

The end of the 2015 December Sales was a poignant milestone for Tattersalls' Sales Manager David Batten, who retires at the end of this year after more than 45 years with the company.

Edmond Mahony honoured his long-term colleague, saying, “The conclusion of every Tattersalls sales season is a time for us to express our gratitude to all of our clients for their continued support. This year I would also like to pay tribute to David Batten, who has been a key member of the Tattersalls bloodstock sales team for more than 45 years and has organised the December Sale for more than two decades. David retires at the end of this year having made a huge contribution to the firm and we wish him well for a long and happy retirement.”