2010 December Mare Sale Day 4 Press Release

The final day of the Tattersalls December Mare Sale bought both the Tattersalls December Sale and Tattersalls’ year to a close. The final session saw a total of 146 lots sell for 837,800 guineas, taking the four day breeding stock sale to 644 lots sold for 34,544,800 guineas, at an average of 53,641 guineas and a median of 17,000 guineas representing a 4% rise in turnover, a 1% rise in average and a 17% rise in median. The two week long December Sale saw 1,398 lots sold for 55,610,800 guineas, at an average of 39,799 guineas and a median of 17,000 guineas. Tattersalls’ turnover for the year came it at 162,155,700 guineas, a fall of 4% on 2009 levels.

At the conclusion of the 2010 Tattersalls December Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;

“At the end of last week’s December Foal Sale we referred to the continuing economic turbulence which has dominated the news in recent weeks and marvelled at the extraordinary resilience of the foal market in the face of such uncertainty. I think it would be fair to say that the demand for broodmares and fillies this week has also exceeded expectations and that Europe’s premier breeding stock sale has, as ever, proved to be the focal point for thoroughbred breeders from all corners of the world.

“The general consensus prior to this week was that despite two quality dispersals, the catalogue was a little short of obvious stars and that the sale might fall short of last year’s levels, but the figures tell another story. Turnover has shown a slight increase as has the average and, similar to the December Foal Sale, the median has risen significantly. The clearance rate has not quite matched last year which reflects the larger number of lots offered, but it still compares favourably with the 2007 and 2008 Tattersalls December Breeding Stock Sales.

“The two dispersals from Bloomsbury Stud and Pendley Farm were amongst the highlights of the sale and for Bloomsbury Stud to sell the top priced foal as well as the second highest priced mare this week was a wonderful tribute to decades of achievement at the highest level of this industry. It was also particularly gratifying to see consignors, not only from Britain and Ireland, but also from throughout Europe being so well rewarded for their continued confidence in the Tattersalls December Sale. The feature of the sale, as with so many sales at Tattersalls, was the extraordinary level of participation from overseas buyers. With buyers from almost 40 different countries, it is hard to single out individuals, but we were delighted to see Indian buyers returning to Tattersalls in such numbers after the lifting of import restrictions and we believe that they have purchased more than 50 lots this week. Other countries which have also made important contributions include Argentina, Libya, Malaysia, Qatar and Russia and we will continue to explore as many emerging markets as possible in conjunction with British Bloodstock Marketing.

“The global bloodstock industry, in common with so many others, continues to face challenges, but the Tattersalls December Sale has yet again given cause for a measure of optimism and a timely reminder that quality bloodstock remains as sought after as ever.”