By Emma Berry
NEWMARKET, UK—Tattersalls' chairman Edmond Mahony was realistic enough to acknowledge that the 2020 December Mares' Sale “lacked a little of the depth of recent renewals” but, in a surreal year, it is understandable if owners and breeders perhaps decided to hold onto horses rather than enter them for a sale against an uncertain financial backdrop.
Furthermore, given that at times it looked doubtful that this sale would even be able to proceed during a second English lockdown, that fact that the bloodstock industry has been able to engage in business which has turned over around £77 million in less than a fortnight is, frankly, remarkable. And it is also important. Juddmonte's Teddy Grimthorpe acknowledged on Wednesday that “without this sale, a multi-million pound industry would have been on its knees” and a statement of that nature coming from a representative of such a major owner-breeder operation highlights how important every sale this year has been to participants at all levels of the market.
“Traditionally at the conclusion of the Tattersalls December Mares' Sale we would reflect upon the level of trade, both at the December Sales and earlier sales, and also record our thanks and appreciation to all those who have contributed throughout the year,” said Mahony.
“In this strangest of years our thanks to all concerned is an even more central message, but we should start by expressing heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the wider industry that the 2020 Tattersalls December Sales, Europe's foremost foal and breeding stock sales, have been able to take place, under strict COVID-related protocols, on the advertised dates and with the minimum of disruption to the established cycle of the bloodstock sales season.”
He continued, “We have been able to bring a testing sales season to a successful conclusion and for that we are enormously grateful. While the usual vibrance associated with this annual showcase of Europe's finest breeding stock has, by necessity, been lacking, we have again been buoyed by the sustained resilience of the market and the extraordinary determination of buyers from throughout the world who have contributed to yet another 2020 Tattersalls sale which has defied the prevailing social and economic uncertainty.”
Across the last four days, 735 fillies, mares, and the odd colt or gelding, have sold for a total of 43,111,900gns (-25%) at an average of 58,656gns (-32%) and median of 20,000gns (-26%). And, in a consistent trend across the various sales this year, the clearance rate was up at 85%.
A factor which helped this rise was doubtless the promotion of the online bidding platform which was so essential for those unable to attend the sales in person. More than 3 million gns was spent this way during the December Mares' Sale, with 136 horses sold online to 75 different bidders.
The final session of mares traditionally brings the December Sale to a more sedate close. There was a high number of withdrawals but, for those who stood their ground, there was again a decent clearance rate of 80%, albeit at more bargain prices. The average of 5,077gns was up by 35% on last year, and the 3,000gns median up by 20%, with the 106 lots sold adding 538,200gns to the overall tally.
If ever there was an advertisement for agents and breeders to remain at Tattersalls for the last day of mares it was that of Shena's Dream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who sold on Tuesday for 280,000gns having been picked up, in foal, by Sicilian breeder Domenico Zammitti for 1,200gns at last year's closing session. In the meantime, of course, her Group 2-winning juvenile daughter Miss Amulet (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) had provided the kind of update we all dream about.
It took a pledge of 21,000gns from an absent Geoffrey Howson, bidding through his friend Paul Thorman, to secure the day's leading light, Banmi (Ire) (lot 2195). The daughter of Kodiac (GB), who is on her way to France, was a winner last year for Mohammed Moubarak and is a half-sister to the listed-placed Moonlit Garden (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}).
Concluding his assessment of the sale, Edmond Mahony said, “In addition to the obvious issues, we were conscious that this year's December Mares catalogue lacked a little of the depth of recent renewals, but nevertheless quality consignments from Britain, Ireland and France have attracted buyers from throughout the world who have been active at all levels of the market, as ever demonstrating the enduring appetite for quality European bloodstock. While the undoubted highlight of the week was the 2.2 million guineas sale of Highclere and Floors Studs' outstanding broodmare Beach Frolic to MV Magnier, encouragement can also be taken from the consistent global participation, with buyers from America, France, Japan, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE all featuring amongst the leading buyers alongside new and established British and Irish investors.”
He continued, “Buyers from throughout Europe, the Gulf region, Australasia, India, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan and Turkey have also been active and a particular feature of the sale has been the prolific use of the live internet bidding facility which has allowed so many buyers unable to attend in the usual manner to participate successfully. More than half of the lots offered this week have attracted internet bids and it has been notable that the online action has been at every level of the market, including the very top end.
“The implementation of the live internet bidding platform is a perfect illustration of how all involved in this industry have successfully adapted and responded to circumstances outside their control, as is the mutual cooperation with our counterparts at Goffs and Arqana which has allowed us all to adjust sales dates when needed. We have staged an unprecedented 16 sales at Park Paddocks since the end of June and after every one of them we have reflected on the admirable patience and determination which everyone has shown to overcome unprecedented obstacles. The world has been thrown into turmoil, but every single participant at our 2020 sales should be applauded for the manner in which they have accepted the demands presented by the global pandemic. Few will look back on the 2020 Tattersalls sales season with pleasure, but they can look back with pride and our thanks go to each and everyone who has contributed to a Tattersalls sales season of remarkable resilience.”
While Tattersalls has now concluded its sales year, Park Paddocks will return to action next Thursday to host the relocated Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale of 38 point-to-pointers and National Hunt horses in training.
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