Record year for Tattersalls Ireland across all three venues
Sales at all three of Tattersalls Ireland's sales venues concluded 2016 with increases in turnover. Tattersalls Ireland recorded an increase in aggregate for the fifth consecutive year and the highest since the pre-recession year of 2007. The Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham Sales witnessed an increase of 8% in turnover while Tattersalls Ireland Ascot Sales experienced an explosive year in 2016 with an increase in aggregate of 40%.
Commenting on the successful year of bloodstock auctions at Tattersalls Ireland, Managing Director Roger Casey said;
Tattersalls Ireland
"For the fifth consecutive year, Tattersalls Ireland has delivered an increased set of returns with the aggregate, the fourth highest on record, increasing by 3% to €45,046,050 and the highest average on record of €17,658. Similar to 2015, the modest increase in turnover is a reflection on the consolidation of the bloodstock industry as a whole. The market continues to dictate the demand for the more select types and this is certainly reflected the annual rise in aggregate.
"Consistently the market leading Derby Sale continues to be the focal point of the Tattersalls Ireland Sales calendar and 2016 was no different. A record of 32 horses realised €100,000 or more with the highest price achieved in Europe of €255,000 for a National Hunt three-year-old store and a record average of €47,535 was delivered. The September Yearling Sale maintained its reputation as Europe's most progressive yearling sale producing an impressive clearance rate of 82%, five horses selling in excess of €100,000 and rises in the aggregate, average and median. Trade at the November National Hunt Sale was also very strong. It was extremely pleasing to observe significant growth in the foal section recording a robust clearance rate of 71% and 37 foals realising €40,000 or more. It was also gratifying to sell a mare for the second highest price on record when Valyssa Monterg realised €160,000.
"Without a doubt, our graduates continue to be the best form of endorsement; National Hunt Festival successes have come fromTHISTLECRACK, CUE CARD, YORKHILL, BALLYOPTIC, BLACK HERCULES, CARLINGFORD LOUGH, RULE THE WORLD and ROUGE ANGEL and on the flat, four European Classic winners were sold at Tattersalls Ireland; GALILEO GOLD, WICKLOW BRAVE, HAWKSMOORand CONSELICE.
Tattersalls Ireland Ascot
"Sales at Ascot for 2016 concluded on a high after the first full year under the Tattersalls Ireland umbrella. There was a major increase in turnover of 40% to £5,991,550 and a considerable rise in the average of a further 40% to £8,230. The overwhelming highlight of 2016 for Ascot was the Two-Year-Old Breeze-Up Sale in April which witnessed a jump of 120% in turnover, 100% in median and 38% in average. The May Sale also made history for the venue when the highest price for a National Hunt horse of £110,000 was achieved.
Undoubtedly the standout success story of the venue is the February Sale graduate MRS DANVERS, available to the market at £1,000, she went unbeaten through the year and won twice at pattern level including the Cornwallice Stakes at Newmarket.
Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham
"The first full season of sales conducted by Tattersalls Ireland at Cheltenham, the home of National Hunt Racing, finished with a rise in the aggregate of 8% to £13,820,100. Highlights from the year came from the most recent December Sale which witnessed a record price for a Point to Point Horse being sold at the venue for £305,000 and the May Saledelivering the best price for a four-year-old mare of £200,000. A total of 33 horses fetched £100,000 or more at Cheltenham which is a resounding endorsement of the venue as THE venue of choice to sell quality form horses. Cheltenham Sale graduates continue to deliver on the track at the highest level. Highlights of 2016 have come from GOD'S OWN Grade 1 Festival double, MOON RACER's continued progression following Champion Bumper success to MINELLA ROCCO's Cheltenham Festival glory, the very venue where he topped the Festival sale two years previously.
Thank You
"We would like to sincerely thank all our customers, vendors and purchasers alike. With their loyal support 2016 has proven to be a remarkable and rewarding year for Tattersalls Ireland across all three sales venues. We would also like to extend gratitude to the team at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing for their continued support and assistance throughout the year.
On a personal level, I would like to thank our own industrious team at Tattersalls Ireland and the wider Tattersalls family. To maintain the continued growth of the company in recent years and to successfully deliver sales at two new venues has required unstinting effort and commitment and our team has not been found wanting in this regard.
Another exciting year for is in store for Tattersalls Ireland in 2017 with the first sale at Cheltenham on 28 January and at Fairyhouse on 31 January for the February National Hunt Sale. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our clients a very happy Christmas and the best wishes for a prosperous 2017."