Mahony Admits To Being Bowled Over After Tattersalls Sales Bonanza

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony has admitted to being blown away by the strength of the market at Park Paddocks, not only at this week's December Mares Sale where the introduction of the Sceptre Sessions played a huge role in the sky-rocketing trade, but throughout the year.

Mahony has described 2022 as the year where every expectation was exceeded and, speaking at the end of the December Mares Sale where over 80 million gns went through the Tattersalls tills, headlined by 5.4 million gns purchase Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), he paid tribute to all key stakeholders for playing a part in the roaring trade.

Mahony said, “Every so often we experience sales at Tattersalls which defy all expectations, but in 2022 it is probably fair to say that each successive sale here at Park Paddocks has achieved levels of trade which even the most optimistic observers would have deemed unlikely, culminating in a Tattersalls December Mares Sale which at times has been truly astonishing.”

The 80,831,200gns traded at Tattersalls this week represents a 30% rise on last year's figure. The average rose by 48% to 117,147gns, the median jumped 23% to 32,000gns and the clearance rate stayed the same at 82%.

But the major success story to emerge from the sale was the strength of the inaugural Sceptre Sessions which accounted for over half of the turnover with 71 lots selling for a combined total of 45,907,000gns.

Mahony commented, “There can be no doubt that the eagerly anticipated inaugural Sceptre Sessions have added a new dimension to what was already Europe's premier sale of breeding stock. When we launched the Sceptre Sessions back in the summer our goal was to create a format which would allow us to showcase elite fillies and mares to the global audience which defines the Tattersalls December Sale. The response from breeders and consignors to the new initiative was overwhelmingly positive, and this was widely recognised as an exceptional catalogue, but we could not have predicted the extraordinary atmosphere which enveloped Park Paddocks throughout a sale which has seen the record books completely rewritten.”

A staggering 11 fillies and mares sold for seven figures at Tattersalls in a week where BBA Ireland dominated by snapping up 39 lots for 14,567,000gns. Featuring among the haul was the overall top lot Alcohol Free while BBA Ireland also paid 1,000,000gns for Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Gan Teorainn (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}).

Mahony reflected, “Turnover, average and median have all soared past the previous record levels and to see the packed sale ring as the succession of outstanding fillies and mares took to the stage will live long in the memories of all those present. The huge number of overseas buyers here at Park Paddocks for the duration of the December Sale reflects the incredible support we have received from the vendors who entrusted us with such an illustrious cast of race fillies and broodmares. Every one of the 11 fillies and mares who sold for one million guineas or more was special and the 5.4 million gns sale of the gorgeous Alcohol Free was not only the highest auction price in the world this year for a filly in training, but also a wonderful reward for her owner Jeff Smith, her trainer Andrew Balding and all associated with one of the great race fillies of recent years. We all look forward to seeing Alcohol Free race on in Australia and to dual Group 1 winner Saffron Beach, who sold for 3.6 million guineas, who looks set to target the $20-million [G1] Saudi Cup in February.”

He added, “While the individual highlights will leave lasting memories, we must express our deep gratitude to all who have made 2022 such an extraordinary year at Tattersalls. Sale after sale has attracted buyers from all over the world in overwhelming numbers, and we are enormously grateful for the support we receive from purchasers and vendors alike, all of whom have contributed to a year which has seen our annual turnover exceed 400 million gns, comfortably exceeding the previous high of 331 million guineas set in 2017. These remarkable figures are a massive tribute to the professionalism and commitment of all involved in the bloodstock industry in Britain, Ireland, France and further afield. It is their consistent support which makes Newmarket such a focal point of the global bloodstock industry and makes the uniquely international Tattersalls December Sale the pre-eminent sale of its type in Europe.”