Huge strides made at Tattersalls Ireland May Store Sale
The second renewal of the May Store Sale more than consolidated the young sale's place in the calendar showing improved returns on it's 2018 debut. The median increased by 15% increase to €15,000, there was an improvement of 16% in the average to €17,663 and the aggregate of €2,563,200 was an increase of 14%.
Four horses fetched €50,000 and over compared with one in 2018, while 25 horses made €30,000 or more against 15 last year.
The day's top lot was consigned by Bay View Cottage, the gelding by the popular sire Getaway selling for €58,000 (Lot 53). He was purchased by bloodstock agent Gearoid Costello.
"He is going point-to-pointing," said Costello. "He is a lovely horse, a good-walking, good-moving sort. He is going to England."
GC Bloodstock was the day's leading purchaser by aggregate picking up six horses for €199,000, while the eight lots bought by Monbeg Stables ensured the point-to-point consignor was the leading buyer numerically.
The only lot offered though the session by Rail Link, already named Gavarlink, fetched €55,000. He was sold by regular leading Tattersalls Ireland consignor Lakefield Farm (Lot 205) and purchased by Harley Dunne and James Doyle.
Amateur jockey Dunne, who will be riding the horse in his points, said: "What was there not to like about this horse?! He is a big imposing type. We'll get him home and break him in - he'll run in a point-to-point with a view to resale."
Rathbarry Stud sold the half-brother to the graded chaser Doctor Phoenix for €50,000 to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock (Lot 119).
The black gelding is by the farm's own stallion Sholokhov and was bought by Rathbarry as a foal at the 2016 November NH Sale for €20,000 from Dannanstown Stables.
Today's purchaser Matt Coleman said: "He is for owner Clive Boultbee-Brooks. I thought this horse has real style and class, he is a lovely mover. The mare has already produced a smart horse and he is by a stallion who has had a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner. He will go back to Clive's farm from here and a trainer will be decided later."
Another by Shantou in demand, Lot 199, the gelding offered by Ballyreddin Stud makes €50,000.
He was bought by Direct Bloodstock and Fergal O'Neill said: "He is lovely horse and by a good, fashionable sire. He goes to Sam Curling."
He was bought by Ballyreddin as a foal for €14,000 from Thistletown Stud.
After the sale, Tattersalls Ireland CEO Matt Mitchell commented;
"This is the second year of the Tattersalls Ireland May Store Sale and in a short period the sale has established itself successfully in the store sale calendar. The key sale indicators are very positive with a 16% increase in the average and 15% increase in the median and with a solid clearance rate of 74%. Vendors who recognised the sales potential were rewarded with a strong trade where the market was prepared to pay for a quality individual. The large presence of UK and domestic purchasers is testament to the market responding to the improved offering.
"We look forward to the market leading Derby Sale and a catalogue which reflects depth in both pedigrees and individuals at all levels of the market."