The Tattersalls December Foal Sale finished with a flourish on the fourth and
final day with 10 lots selling for 100,000 guineas or more and turnover for the
sale passing 20,000,000 guineas.
The fourth day saw a total of 124 lots sell for 4,402,900 guineas, at an
average of 35,507 guineas and a median of 18,000 guineas, which took the
four-day total to 618 lots sold for 20,218,700 guineas, a rise of 39 percent on
the 2008 turnover. The average and median also rose by 26 percent and 52
percent, respectively, to 32,716 guineas and 16,000 guineas.
The top lot on the final day was an Invincible Spirit colt out of Liscune
(King’s Best). Consigned from Bernie Cooke’s Bryanstown House Stud, the colt
caught the attention of London Thoroughbred Services’ James Wigan and Camas Park
Stud’s Timmy Hyde, but both had to defer to Shadwell Estates’ Angus Gold, who
secured him for 250,000 guineas.
Felipe Hinojosa had to go to 220,000 guineas to acquire a Danehill Dancer
colt out of Group 2 winner Spinola (Spinning World). The half-brother to listed
victress Kirknola (Selkirk) caught the attention of agents Hugo Merry and Peter
Doyle as well as Ashtown House Stud’s Paul Shanahan, but none were able to match
Hinojosa. The Spaniard indicated that the colt could either return to the sales
next year or be kept to race.
“After the successful October Yearling Sales we approached this week’s
December Foal Sale with a sense of guarded optimism but I think it would be fair
to say that the strength of the trade over the last four days has exceeded our
expectations,” Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony at the conclusion of the sale.
“This year’s foal catalog was 25 percent smaller than its 2008 predecessor but
it has generated a 26 percent increase in turnover, and an average up 39 percent
to a figure only bettered twice in 2006 and 2007.
“Equally encouraging has been the clearance rate of nearly 80 percent, which
demonstrates the enduring demand for quality that has been the key to a 2009
Tattersalls sales season which has consistently outperformed expectation. These
are still challenging times and it would be wrong to pretend otherwise, but this
week’s returns can only help to bring back a measure of confidence to an
industry which, like so many others, took a battering last year.
“We have a good, solid breeding stock catalog to look forward to next week
and the usual cosmopolitan crowd should ensure trade to match the vibrant sale
we have enjoyed this week.”
The Tattersalls December Mare Sale starts on Monday.