Final Session of December Mares Sale Brings Curtain Down on Tattersalls Sales Year
The final day of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale brought the curtain down on the Tattersalls December Sale and on sales at Park Paddocks in 2023. Turnover for the two-week long December Sale incorporating yearlings, foals and breeding stock topped 100 million guineas, whilst the annual turnover for Tattersalls was 350,000,000 guineas, the second highest in the company’s history.
Granddaughter of Rafha Destined for India
The top lot on the final day of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale was VALUATE, who was knocked down for 52,000 guineas to Kunigal Stud’s Zeyn Mirza on behalf of Villoo Poonawalla Greenfield Farms. Consigned by the National Stud, the daughter of SHAMARDAL is a granddaughter of the Group 1 Prix de Diane winner RAFHA, the dam of leading sires INVINCIBLE SPIRIT and KODIAC and ancestress of 16 blacktype winners including European Champion MISHRIFF. VALUATE was offered in foal to FRANKEL’s Group 1 St James’ Palace Stakes winning son WITHOUT PAROLE.
Mirza commented: "She is for Kunigal Stud and Dr Cyrus Poonawalla. She has a great pedigree, I am glad I have waited for the last day. She will ship straight away and needs to do a month's quarantine in the UK and then another month in India."
Chairman’s Statement
At the conclusion of the 2023 Tattersalls December Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;
“International demand is the feature of so many sales at Tattersalls, but few can match the global appeal of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale which annually draws buyers from every continent, united in a quest to acquire some of the finest bloodstock to be found anywhere in the world.
“In only their second year the two showcase Sceptre Sessions again produced some spectacular theatre played out in front of a packed sale ring with the highlight being the outstanding Group 1 winning sale topper TEONA who became the third highest priced broodmare ever sold at the December Sale when selling for 4,500,000 guineas to Juddmonte Farms. The supporting cast of British trained Group 1 winning fillies, CACHET, LEZOO, POPTRONIC, PROSPEROUS VOYAGE and VIA SISTINA all also provided memorable sales for their connections averaging almost 2 million guineas apiece and adding to a day which produced turnover exceeded only twice in Tattersalls history.
“Elite fillies and mares have been in high demand throughout the sale with an unprecedented six selling for more than two million guineas and 29 breaking the 500,000 guineas mark, which is a number bettered only at last year’s extraordinary record breaking sale. American, Australian and Chinese buyers have all made a huge contribution at the top end of the market, as have the impressive number of Japanese buyers who continue to prioritise the Tattersalls December Mares Sale above all other European breeding stock sales. As ever, they have all faced strong competition from British, Irish and French breeders who form the backbone of the December Sale and there has been notable participation from throughout Europe as well as strong contingents of Indian and Turkish buyers who between them have bought more than 60 fillies and mares.
“While we can reflect on a combined December Sale turnover of more than 100 million guineas for the second consecutive year and sustained demand for quality stock, we must also recognise that the appetite for the less commercial mares and fillies has dwindled dramatically. The international bloodstock market is not immune from global economic pressures and certain sectors are facing a headwind, but we will continue, in association with our extensive network of overseas representatives, to explore every avenue to encourage as wide a participation as possible. In the meantime we extend our sincere thanks to each and every individual who has contributed to a year which has seen our annual turnover exceed 350 million guineas for only the second time. Figures of this magnitude are a tribute to all involved and to the consistent support from so many British, Irish and European breeders which all of us at Tattersalls are very proud to receive."