Sapphire Sale Concludes the 2023 Sales Season at Tattersalls Ireland

The Sapphire Sale for Flat-bred foals, yearlings and broodmares brought the Tattersalls Ireland 2023 sales season to a close with a foal by Cotai Glory and a half-brother to the Group 1 Matron Stakes winner Champers Elysees the most-expensive horse of the day (Lot 147).

Sold by Railstown Stud for Archway Stud, he was bought by John Foley of Ballyvolane Stud, the pinhooker spending €37,000 on his purchase and signing under the GHS Bloodstock banner.

"He is a fine foal, a half-brother to a Group 1 winner. I have had a few by the stallion, he is a good sire and has had a Group 1 winner and is very commercial," said Foley.

The foal’s dam La Cuvee (Mark Of Esteem) has had four winners, and is a daughter of Premiere Cuvee, a champion older mare in Germany and dam of She Bat, also a Group 3 winner in Germany.

Lot 52, Rathasker Stud’s Bungle Inthejungle yearling colt out of Mordoree (Mayson), was bought by trainer Daniel Murphy and owner Damien Moore for €28,000.

Murphy, who was based in the Far East, has recently retaken out his training licence in Ireland and The Curragh-based trainer has already enjoyed Group 3 success courtesy of Dun Na Sead, winner of the Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes in October.

"We have started off really well, and we wanted an early two-year-old type and we have had a bit of luck with a Bungle before," said Murphy. "We gave a bit more than planned, I kept walking away but got drawn back in! This is a real two-year-old and he will be owned by Damian Moore, who asked me to buy him one."

"The September Yearling Sale has firmly secured its positioned as an established choice for yearling buyers. Turnover for this year’s renewal reflected this demand stretching over €12 million for the third year in succession with a record median of €28,000, an average over €30,000 for the third year in a row, and with yearlings selling at an 85 per cent clearance rate.

"In the National Hunt market, the industry-leading Derby Sale once again sold the most expensive store horse of the year in Ireland and the UK with €265,000 given for the gelding by Kayf Tara, while the sale’s average of €53,583 was its third best in the sales' history. Overall, 33 horses sold for six-figures and five made €200,000 or more, a total behind only the record-breaking renewal of 2022.

"Throughout the year the commercial middle market has retained much of its buoyance with smart horses under both codes attractive to purchasers both for resale or as racing and breeding prospects.

"However, the trading environment is not straightforward and as the year has come to an end it is evident that there is a market correction in place – buyers are adjusting their spend in light of the current economic headwinds leading to some contraction and a difficult marketplace at the lower levels.

"As the 2023 sales season comes to a close, I would like to acknowledge our vendors and purchasers who have supported Tattersalls Ireland throughout this past year, playing a crucial role in creating plenty of standout moments. Additionally, I would like to extend our appreciation to Irish Thoroughbred Marketing for their consistent support."