Turnover Rises At Tattersalls December Foal Sale

The Tattersalls December Foal Sale concluded with a DUTCH ART colt topping the final session at 105,000 guineas on a day that saw 150 lots sell for 3,688,900 guineas, at an average of 24,593 guineas and a median of 19,500 guineas. The four day sale saw a total of 708 lots sell for 24,132,700 guineas at an average of 34,086 guineas and a median of 20,000 guineas

The top lot on the final day was lot 1227, the DUTCH ART colt out of the PARIS HOUSE mare ARCULINGE who was knocked down to Paddy Twomey for 105,000 guineas. Consigned by Throckmorton Court Stud on behalf of Mrs Sheila Oakes, the colt is closely related to the smart sprinting pair CORRYBROUGH and AMOUR PROPRE.

The lot before, the RIP VAN WINKLE colt owned by Lady Jennifer Green and also consigned by Throckmorton Court Stud, lit up the ring when knocked down to Camas Park Stud’s Timmy Hyde for 90,000 guineas. The colt is out of the TRIPPI mare SINISTER RUCKUS, who is an own-sister to the Group 2 Queen Mary winning filly JEALOUS AGAIN.

Peter Balding of Throckmorton said: "There was a lot of interest in them and it gives you confidence. They are lovely individuals and the Rip Van Winkle is a great walker. But both are by commercial, fashionable sires.

"I am just delighted for the whole team."

The other lot to top six-figures on the final day of the foal sale was lot 1142, the EXCEED AND EXCEL colt out of the PIVOTAL mare ONE GIANT LEAP, was knocked down to Carmel Stud’s Peter Morgan for 100,000 guineas. Consigned by Peter Player’s Whatton Manor Stud, the colt was the second lot purchased by Carmel Stud, both sons of Darley’s smart Australian sprinter.

"He has been bought as a mate for our earlier buy," said Peter Morgan of the farm. "He'll be coming back here. I like the sire and this is a good-walking horse - he should appeal to buyers next year."

Underbidders included Cathy Grassick and Charlie Gordon-Watson. 

At the conclusion of the 2012 Tattersalls December Foal Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented,

“The extraordinary trade at the recent Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has without doubt had a major impact on this week’s December Foal Sale. Park Paddocks has been a hive of activity from the outset and the significant gains made at last year’s Tattersalls December Foal Sale have been bettered again with turnover in excess of 24 million guineas for only the third time.

“The real feature of the sale has been the sustained demand at all levels of the market.  Competition in every price range has been fierce with pinhookers from Britain, Ireland and further afield competing with many of the world’s leading owners. The sale topping GALILEO colt purchased by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani was the highest priced December Foal since 2004, the number of six figure lots has exceeded last year’s total, the key indicators of average and median have all but matched 2011 and the clearance rate is the best this century. The resilience of this industry continues to amaze and tribute must again be paid to the professionalism of the consignors and purchasers alike who combine every year to make this Europe’s premier foal sale.

“We now turn our attention to four of the most cosmopolitan days in the global bloodstock sales calendar and we are looking forward to welcoming buyers from every continent in the world to the Tattersalls December Mares Sale.”

The Tattersalls December Mare Sale starts on Monday, December 3 at 9.30am.