THE Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale concluded its five-day run earlier this evening with a set of final figures that represented a more than solid set of returns and made for interesting reading.
The turnover for this year’s sale dropped by just over 6% to €12.1 million but some context is needed here as there was a 13% drop in the number of horses offered and the catalogue for this sale was the smallest in at least 20 years.
The €12,000 median (up from last year’s €11,000) represents a new record for the auction, while the average of €16,600 represented a fractional decrease on last year’s figure. The clearance rate was another indicator to head in the right direction as it increased from 63% to 69%.
In all this represented a highly satisfactory edition of this sale.
The all important foal trade was good and produced Ireland’s highest priced foal for a dozen years, and the trade for mares was more lively than it has been for some time.
On the flip side, the National Hunt yearling market is getting close to disappearing altogether despite producing its highest price (€100,000) for a dozen years.
It was good to see the clearance rate head in the right direction this year but a figure that comes in just below 70% points to a market that is selective and some vendors and purchasers remarked that the National Hunt market is exhibiting some of the selectivity that is now well established on the flat – albeit it is definitely not as pronounced.
Mares
The final day of the sale was split between foals and mares and it was the later category that provided the main highlights.
In recent years the mares section has benefitted from some choice offerings from the Willie Mullins yard and this year was no different as the champion trainer supplied the two highest priced lots, with centre stage going to Camelia De Cotte who fetched €140,000.
This seven-year-old came into her own when she tackled fences last season as she notched up a series of blacktype victories.
The daughter of Laveron, who is in foal to Australia, was successful at Grade 2 level and in a pair of Grade 3s and all this resulted in her selling to Treasa O’Keeffe, who was standing with Cue Card’s breeder Roland Crellin, for €140,000.
This was the sixth year in succession that Mullins supplied the top-priced mare at this sale.
“We are looking to replace Airlie Beach (who passed away earlier this year). This mare is a very good racemare, and is a traditional National Hunt mare. She will probably come back to visit a stallion in Ireland,” reported Treasa O’Keeffe.
The next lot into the ring was the former Cheltenham Festival heroine Limini who was also sold in foal to Australia. A relation to the Irish Oaks winner Vintage Tipple and a multiple Grade 1-placed runner over hurdles, the eight-year-old cost Peel Bloodstock’s Will Kinsey €75,000.
“I've bought her for myself and a few others who wanted to dip their toe in the water. I absolutely loved her and she'll become our foundation mare. Her pedigree speaks for itself and she represents tremendous value. We'll try and support a British-based stallion after she foals down to Australia,” stated Kinsey.
A few minutes later Kinsey then had to settle for the role of underbidder on the listed bumper winner and Grade 2-placed Copper Kay who cost Boardsmill Stud’s John Flood €60,000. This Peter Nolan offering was sold in foal to Soldier Of Fortune.
“She is a lovely mare and has been bought to go to our new stallion Poet's Word. She should suit him as she has a lot of depth and is a good walker,” stated Flood.
Foals
The first half of the day was given over to the last of the foals on offer this week and this all important section of the sale concluded with solid returns.
A smaller offering of foals this year resulted in the turnover dropping by just over 3% to €10.8 million. The average of €16,832 finished two points down on last year’s record figure but the median jumped forward by 20% to €13,750 and the clearance rate improved from 66% to 71%.
A pair of €40,000 foals held sway today and the first of these was a son of Malinas from Kilclare Stables who was snapped up by Jimmy Murphy’s Redpender Stud. A return to the sales ring as a three-year-old is the plan for the half-brother to the Scottish Grand National third Cloth Cap.
The €40,000 mark was also reached by Peter Vaughan when he secured a Nicholas Dee-owned son of Soldier Of Fortune. This colt was also bought for resale and he is out of a half-sister to the Welsh National winner Emperor’s Choice.
Final Figures
Mares
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2019 79 65 49 822,100 16,778 8,500
2018 93 76 42 1,004,750 23,923 13,000
2017 101 75 51 786,900 15,429 6,500
2016 144 112 47 786,250 16,729 10,000
2015 155 127 84 1,226,950 14,607 8,000
Final Figures
Entire Sale
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2019 1202 1055 733 12,167,650 16,600 12,000
2018 1415 1216 771 13,003,350 16,866 11,000
2017 1413 1191 867 13,868,300 15,996 11,500
2016 1469 1250 844 12,038,950 14,264 10,500
2015 1530 1314 924 12,753,750 13,803 10,500
Foal Sale
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2019 1002 905 642 10,804,850 16,832 13,750
2018 1088 979 651 11,201,200 17,206 11,500
2017 1059 929 705 11,688,200 16,579 12,500
2016 1104 967 687 9,995,600 14,550 11,000
2015 1077 948 697 9,538,350 13,685 11,000
Day 5 Foals
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2019 165 141 81 795,000 9,815 7,500
2018 266 222 122 1,260,850 10,335 6,750