Successful Conclusion To Tattersalls October Yearling Sale

A vibrant trade during Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale provided the perfect finale to two weeks of remarkable trade at Tattersalls that resulted in an unprecedented turnover of 100 million guineas. The one-day sale attracted a diverse group of buyers from throughout Europe as well as strong domestic demand that resulted in an impressive clearance rate of 87%. The sale saw a total of 199 lots sold for 1,669,600 guineas, at an average of 8,390 guineas and a median of 6,000 guineas. Trade for the full two weeks of the October Yearling Sale saw 1,405 lots sold for 100,811,100 guineas, a rise of 27% on last year’s turnover and a record annual yearling trade for any European auction house.

The top price for the day was 52,000 guineas for the EXCEED AND EXCEL colt out of the HAAFHD mare CRYSTAL MOMENTS. Consigned from The Castlebridge Consignment, the smart colt was knocked down to renowned Breeze Up consignor Willie Browne after he saw off Jim McCarten.

"He's been bought to go into training with David Barron, he's not one too breeze, I wish he was!" said Browne after buying the sales topper.

"He looks a real early type of two-year-old to my eyes."                                                                          

The highest priced filly on the day was 35,000 guineas for the CLODOVIL filly out the MAGIC RING mare SECRET CIRCLE consigned from David Brown’s Furnace Mill Stud. Agent Anthony Stroud saw off Geoffrey Howson to secure the filly who is a half-sister to seven winners.

"She is for an established owner with Jamie Osborne," said Stroud. "She is a pretty filly, very athletic and racy. She was very well turned out by Furnace Mill, who do a good job."

The sale represented a great pinhooking return for her owner Mark Windsor who purchased her at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale for 4,500 guineas.

At the conclusion of Book 3 of the 2012 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;

"In the current economic climate it seems remarkable to be reflecting on Tattersalls October Yearling Sales which have reached unprecedented levels of turnover, but that is the reality and it is a welcome one. The two weeks of the October Yearling Sales are long and sometimes arduous, but to have exceeded all expectations for the second consecutive year is a marvellous achievement for all concerned and a tribute to the vendors who have placed so much faith in the market at Tattersalls. Catalogues of outstanding quality have enticed buyers from throughout the world to Park Paddocks and competition at all levels of the market has been extraordinary. 

"Since the global economic upheavals of 2008 the bloodstock industry, like all others, has had to adjust and react to challenging conditions and the swift and significant reduction in the British and Irish foal crops has paid dividends. While we have catalogued more yearlings this year than last, the overall numbers at the principal British, Irish and French yearling sales have been lower than in 2011 and the demand we have experienced throughout Books 1 to 3 suggests that a more healthy balance between supply and demand is being achieved. There have been so many positives to take from the 2012 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and we look forward to sustaining the momentum for our remaining 2012 sales."

The next sale at Tattersalls is the Autumn Horses in Training Sale which takes place from October 29 – November 1.