SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN TURNOVER AT THE TATTERSALLS IRELAND NOVEMBER NATIONAL HUNT SALE

“The trade this week has been pleasing and is consistent with the increased trade seen generally at our National Hunt Sales during the year and we have seen growth in terms of average, median and turnover when compared to last year’s November National Hunt sale. The introduction of the Yearling Show in association with the ITBA was a considerable success and the week started with the yearling section producing the strongest result in five years. This was followed by a  robust four days of trade for foals, and while the efforts made by our hard working vendors must be acknowledged, the foal section witnessed a material increase in all the key indicators of average, median and aggregate, producing the higestest foal turnover since 2007 when the section spanned seven days. Whilst demand for the Older Horses and Broodmare section was as selective as ever there was significant demand for the quality lots on offer and it was pleasing to see three mares exceed €50,000 with Belle Brook (pictured) making €85,000, Our Girl Salley making €75,000 and Kauto Shiny achieving €60,000.  This sale is considered as a real barometer of the health of the national hunt industry and in this regard the results this week have been telling and underline again the resilience of the sector and the positive trend of ongoing recovery seen throughout the year. Whilst we must acknowledge the challenging market conditions for the lesser bred fillies catalogued this week, it is also important to note that two of the top three priced foals this week were fillies, the filly foal average of €7,632 is twice that of last year and the highest achieved since 2007 which is encouraging and we will of course continue to support ongoing industry initiatives to improve this sector.  It was pleasing to see our usual panel or Irish and UK customers, an increased number of French purchasers and even some US clients competing for stock this week, and we will continue to our ongoing efforts at home and overseas to broaden the purchaser base further for this sale in 2014.

We have again had an outstanding year with our national hunt graduates on the racetrack producing no less than 41 Festival winners and in overall terms we have witnessed a year of sustained growth in the sales arena with our turnover up 29%, and most sales showing significant increases on the previous year and the highlight being a top price of €250,000 at our flagship Derby Sale which had the fourth highest turnover in the history of the sale. That sale also produced no less than 15 lots making €100,000 or more, 70 lots making €50,000 or more despite a reduced number catalogued and the return of the Horses in Training section in the Derby Sale was also acknowledged as a success and we look forward to building on the quality of this sale and indeed the August Sale next year. We would like to thank all our vendors and purchasers for their custom in 2013 and we look forward to working with them in the season ahead. A special note of thanks must go to the team at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing for their efforts throughout the year in addition to the significant effort made by the wider Tattersalls Ireland team and the Tattersalls overseas network. We would also like to make special mention of our esteemed colleague Philip Myerscough who retires at the end of the year and is selling at Tattersalls Ireland for the last time this week having first sold here at the 2003 Derby sale. Philip has been a valued member of the team here for over 10 years and has made a significant contribution to Tattersalls Ireland and the wider bloodstock industry and we wish him well for the future."

The November Yearling Sale concludes the Sales Season at Tattersalls Ireland this coming Sunday the 17 November.