Tattersalls December Winds Down

[Wandering Eyes]

The curtain came down on Tattersalls’s 2019 sales season on Thursday with a final low-key session of the December Mares Sale. A total of 107 horses were offered on the day, with 74 (69%) changing hands for an aggregate of 277,300gns. The average of 3,747gns was down 31% from the same session last year, while the median dipped 7% to 2,500gns. Kingman (GB) in all forms had been a popular attraction throughout the sale, and his 3-year-old daughter Winterkoenigin (GB) (lot 2281) took top billing on Thursday with a final bid of 22,000gns from Badgers Bloodstock.

While the sale’s cumulative aggregate dipped slightly to 57,790,900gns from a smaller catalogue than last year, the average and median both enjoyed gains, up 4% (86,513gns) and 32% (27,000gns), respectively. The number of lots sold for 500,000gns-plus (27) and 200,000gns-plus (81) were both up on last year.

“Vibrant international demand is the hallmark of so many sales at Tattersalls and the 2019 December Mares Sale has yet again demonstrated the enduring appeal, not only of this historic fixture, but also of quality European bloodstock,” said Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony. “The Tattersalls December Sale is an extraordinary magnet for Thoroughbred breeders from throughout the world and this year’s sale has more than lived up to its reputation as probably the most international bloodstock sale in the world.

“We have been fortunate to have had some outstanding December catalogues in recent years and it may be fair to say that the 2019 renewal lacked a little of the usual depth, but buyers from throughout the world have competed fiercely for the best fillies and mares all week, and we can reflect on a very positive end to the Tattersalls sales season.

“A record-breaking 27 lots sold for 500,000gns or more and the unprecedented 81 lots which made 200,000gns or more are a very clear indication of the sustained demand for the best European breeding stock and for the enduring appeal of the Tattersalls December Sale.

“The obvious highlight of the week was the 2.1 million guineas sale of Jeanette McCreery’s outstanding broodmare Coplow. Jeanette and her late husband Bob have achieved so much success over the years and the sale of Coplow was a magnificent tribute to their years of commitment to our industry.

“Consignors from Britain, Ireland and France have all enjoyed conspicuous success this week and buyers from every continent in the world have all made a significant contribution with the 30 highest-priced lots attracting new domestic investment as well as buyers from America, Australia, France, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Spain.

“In other sectors of the market we have seen equally diverse participation, notably from Argentina, Hong Kong, India, Morocco, Turkey as well as from throughout Europe. We should recognise the contribution made by our wide network of overseas representatives all of whom have helped to create such spectacular and consistent international demand, not just at the December Sale, but at Tattersalls sales throughout the year.

“For the third consecutive year our annual turnover has reached more than 300 million guineas and, as ever, we extend our thanks to each and every vendor and purchaser whose consistent support is the crucial element in any successful year at Tattersalls.”

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