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Aggregate, average and median fall at Mare Sale whilst auction house reports more than 260,000,000gns spent in 2020
The Tattersalls December Sale concluded on Thursday with the last session of the December Mares Sale that brought the curtain down on the 2020 renewal of Europe’s premier foal and breeding stock sale, The final session, which included a mix of fillies and mares as well as colts and geldings in training saw a clearance rate of 80 per cent and turnover in excess of 500,000gns, taking the December Mares Sale turnover above 43,000,0000gns, and the December Sale turnover including the yearlings, foals and breeding stock to more than 73,000,000gns. The annual turnover for Tattersalls for the year exceeded 260,000,000gns.
On Thursday 106 lots sold for 538,200gns at an average of 5,077gns and median of 3,000gns whilst the top price was 21,000gns. During four days of the Mare Sale 735 lots sold for 43,111,900gns, which was down 25 per cent from a year ago when ten per cent fewer horses were sold - 668 - for 57,790,900gns. The average of 58,565gns fell 32 per cent from 86,513gns a year ago whilst the median of 20,000gns was down 26 per cent from last year’s sale.
The number of Australian buyers were notably down at this year’s sale. At the 2019 renewal Aquis Farm, Astute Bloodstock, Australian Bloodstock, Belmont Bloodstock, Cornerstone Stud, John Foote Bloodstock, Dean Hawthorne, Paul Willetts and Widden Stud all made the buyers sheet with their spend totalling over 2,500,000gns.
This year Rosemont Stud, Paul Willetts and Widden Stud were active.
“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 Tattersalls Chairman Edmond 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.
“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.
“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 2,200,0000gns sale of Highclere and Floors Studs’ outstanding broodmare Beach Frolic to M.V. 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.
“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 sixteen 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."
