The six-day Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale drew to a close on Thursday with a set of final figures which yielded mixed fortunes in several key areas.

At its conclusion the all-encompassing sale posted a turnover over just under €13.9 million which represented a decrease of 11% from a near identical offering of horses in 2021.

The average of €17,983 was down just 2% on last year’s record-breaking figure although the €14,000 median represented a new high for this sale.

The clearance rate came in at 65% compared to 73% from 12 months ago and this is one of the more striking aspects from the final returns as it does give pause for thought.

A strong round of store sales in the summer augured well for this auction and demand for the best foals was strong, to say the least, but elsewhere the market had a selective feel.

Possibly this points to the somewhat uncertain economic outlook while also offering a clear indication that any further increase in the levels of supply to the National Hunt market would be a concern for the coming years.

Welsh breeder wins

The star turn of the final day was Say You Say Me who was bought by her Welsh-based breeder Rowland Crellin for €95,000 after he outlasted the Coolmara Stables team.

The daughter of Flemensfirth was sold in foal to Walk In The Park and was placed on her three start for Gordon Elliott while she is a half-sister to Black Tears who won the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham last year. The daughter of the Grade 3-winning Our Girl Salley was sold by Springfield House Farm.

“We bred her and sold her here at the Derby Sale for €155,000. We have not seen her since but she developed into a fine big mare. She is in foal to Walk In The Park and so what is not to like? It makes sense and the family has been good to us,” stated Crellin. “We will get her home, she will have this foal and then we will rest her as she is on a May 7th cover. She can come back to Ireland for her 2024 covering and she can go to Crystal Ocean.”

Another leading light amongst the mares was the dual winner Arizona Flyer who cost Grange Stud €85,000. The Thomas McNulty-owned seven-year-old was sold in foal to Blue Bresil while she is a half-sister to last season’s King George VI Chase hero Tornado Flyer. This is also the immediate family of the incomparable two-mile hurdling kingpin Hurricane Fly.

“We bred her, we know the family and she is to be covered by Vadamos, who had a good week here. She is lovely type with a great walk,” reported Grange’s Catherine Magnier.

Perth success

For a period the day’s most expensive mare was Daphne Moon who made her final start for Gordon Elliott last April a very significant one as she secured a listed success over fences at Perth. That victory coupled with a Poet’s Word covering saw her realise €48,000 on her return to the ring when she was sold to Mountain View Stud.

Fresh from a busy week buying foals Peter Nolan turned his attentions to the mares when giving €45,000 for Salcey Forest Stud’s Lady In Hiding. The listed-placed daughter of Stowaway was sold in foal to Golden Horn.

The Mariga family’s Coolmara Stables picked up several nice mares which included the listed-placed bumper runner Takeittothelimits who fetched €44,000. She was sold by Martinstown Stud and was offered in foal to Santiago while she is also an own-sister to the Grade 3 and Listed scorer Tea Clipper.

Earlier the Coolmara team gave €40,00 for Ballyreddin Stud’s Chadzeau who is in foal to Mirage Dancer. This ten-year-old daughter of Network is an own-sister to the top class French chaser Rubi Ball.

Also coming in at €40,000 was Ballyreddin Stud’s Jetfire who was snapped up Louis Vambeck. A listed winner on the flat and placed at that level as a jumper, she was sold carrying to Doctor Dino.

The last day of the sale began with a selection of foals and trade in this category was of a low-key variety with Johnny Collins leading the way by giving €28,000 for a son of Blue Bresil who was consigned by The Forge Stables on behalf of Jim Lanigan. A return to the sales ring as a three-year-old is the plan for this relation to the Grade 3-placed Warrantor.

Collins also spent €20,000 on a son of Blue Bresil out of the Cheltenham Festival runner-up Barra.

FINAL FIGURES FOR DAY SIX (FOALS)

YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE MEDIAN

2022 115 82 34 €351,100 €10,326 €8,350

COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR FOAL SALE

YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE MEDIAN

2022 1151 1011 683 €12,418,400 €18,182 €15,000

2021 1025 925 678 €12,360,150 €18,270 €13,500

2020 736 627 497 €8,932,500 €17,973 €13,000

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

COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR THE ENTIRE SALE

YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE MEDIAN

2022 1389 1196 772 €13,883,050 €17,983 €14,000

2021 1333 1182 857 €15,758,100 €18,388 €12,500

2020 823 680 529 €10,055,100 €19,008 €13,000

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

COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR THE MARES' SALE

YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE MEDIANCOM

2022 112 92 40 €705,000 €17,625 €8,500

2021 92 83 59 €1,799,100 €30,493 €13,000

2020 37 25 18 €944,000 €55,222 €32,500

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