Outstanding week's trade at the November National Hunt Sale

This year’s record-breaking Tattersalls Ireland National Hunt November Sale concluded today with its final foal session and an afternoon sale of National Hunt broodmares to end an outstanding week’s trade. 

The six-day sale of National Hunt-bred yearlings, foals and broodmares produced a record-breaking median of €14,000 and its third best-ever average of €17,983. In total, 772 horses exchanged hands for a turnover of €13,883,050 the second-best figure since 2007 when the November National Hunt Sale catalogue was much larger.

The bulk of the week featured five busy days of foal sales which produced consistently strong trade with spirited demand from both pinhookers and racing owners alike. The turnover for the foal section of €12,440,400 is the third-best ever behind 2007 and 2006 and is ahead of last year’s outstanding foal sale.

This year’s enthusiastic market saw 685 foals sold for a record-breaking median of €14,500 and an average of €18,161, which is on par with 2021’s figure. In total, 36 foals sold for €50,000 or more, and for the first time since 2007 over 137 foals fetched €30,000 and over. 

The highlight of the National Hunt broodmares session was the €95,000 sale of the Flemensfirth mare Say You Say Me (Lot 1346) to breeder Roland Crellin of Brook Farm, near Newport in Wales. 

She is a daughter of the Grade 3 hurdler Our Girl Salley and the half-sister to Black Tears, winner of the 2021 Grade 1 David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

Crellin said: "We bred Say You Say Me and sold her at the 2020 Derby Sale for €155,000. We have not seen her since, but she has developed into a fine big mare. She is in-foal to Walk In The Park – what is not to like?" The Welshman already has long term plans: "We will get her home, she can have this foal and we will rest her next Spring as she is on a late cover. She can come back to Ireland for 2024 and will visit Crystal Ocean."

Arizona Flyer (Lot 1357) was another mare bought back by her breeder – the seven-year-old by Fame And Glory purchased by Grange Stud for €85,000.

Catherine Magnier signed the docket for the Ross Stables-consigned mare and said: "We bred her, we know the family and she is to be covered by Vadamos, who has had a good week here. She is lovely type with a great walk." 

"Since he was born he was lovely,” said Sarah.”We bought Dont Hesitate here two years ago and he is the first foal out of her.”

At the conclusion of the November National Hunt Sale, Simon Kerins, CEO of Tattersalls Ireland commented;

“The November National Hunt Sale continues to be such a strong hallmark sale for breeders and this year proved to be another impressive renewal. With the Sale starting a day earlier than previous years and the new format reducing the number of foals per day, it is impossible to compare each day like for like to last year’s Sale. 

"For the foal session to surpass the record turnover achieved last year is extremely satisfying and the sustained demand for the top foals fueled an average price of €24,804 on Tuesday, which was the highest for any single day's trade in the history of the Sale. The clearance rate of 65% underlines the select nature of the market at the moment with buyers carefully determining their purchases.

"There was fierce competition from a large group of pinhookers who turned out in force to fill their orders for their 2025 Store offering and that was especially evident at the top of the market with 36 foals selling for €50,000 or more and a number of fierce bidding duels for several of the most desirable lots. Reflecting on the Sale as a whole sees a second-best turnover since 2007, an average on par to the record-breaking Sale last year as well as achieving its own record median of €14,000. 

"Once again, we are indebted to our vendors for entrusting us with quality stock that held huge appeal and allowed us to shout wide and loud about the strength of the catalogue which in turn attracted a huge number of valuable purchasers to Tattersalls Ireland, to each of them we extend our thanks. We would also like to thank Charles O'Neill and the team at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing for their continued support. We look forward to many of the foals returning to Tattersalls Ireland sales ring as three-year-olds in 2025.”