The new yearling section of the Tattersalls Ireland November Flat Foal and Breeding Stock Sale provided the highlight lots during the rescheduled single-session sale at Fairyhouse on Wednesday, with a pair of fillies leading the way. Taking top honors at yet another yearling auction in 2020 was a Jim Bolger-bred, this time a Dawn Approach (Ire) filly out of the placed My Fere Lady (Mr Greeley) who was bought by Clongan House for €45,000. Her 3-year-old full-sister Feminista (Ire) is the lone winner from three runners for the mare. The chestnut was consigned by Boherguy Stud as lot 925.
Belardo (Ire) has gotten off to a promising start at stud this year, and his filly out of the winning Fashion Line (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) (lot 1004) from Ballybin Stud fetched €33,000 from BBA Ireland. The third foal from her dam, she is a sibling to a winner and from the family of G2 Prix de Royallieu scorer Princess Yaiza (Ire).
The session's highest-priced yearling colt was a son of standout first-season sire Mehmas (Ire) (lot 922) who commanded €21,000 from Con Marnane. Consigned by Collegelands Stud, the bay is the second foal out of the nine times placed Midnight Destiny (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).
The top-priced foal was Kilmore Stud's colt from the first crop of the 2017 G1 Prix Morny and G2 Prix Robert Papin winner Unfortunately (Ire). Lot 1046, who is a half-brother to the Grade 3-placed chaser The Last Marju (Ire) and a grandson of G1 Nunthorpe S. winner Lochangel (GB), was bought by Ivor Andray Bloodstock for €25,000.
Trade overall was plagued by a low clearance rate, with just 53% of the horses that went through the ring finding new homes-that was down slightly from 55% last year. In all, 72 horses found new homes on the day for an aggregate of €439,700. The average dipped 5% to €6,107, while the median remained steady at €3,000.
Tattersalls Ireland Chief Executive Officer Matt Mitchell said, “Today we concluded the 2020 sales season at Tattersalls Ireland. Reflecting on the year, 2020 has been one of the most challenging to date for all of us. That said, we have been able to conclude a successful season working closely with our colleagues at Park Paddocks and in tandem with HRI, ITM and Goffs. A heartfelt thank you must go to our loyal clients, who even in the most uncertain times continued their commitment to Tattersalls Ireland and for that we are extremely grateful.
“The year may have been testing, but the resilience of the bloodstock market is a testament to the industry. The market leading Derby Sale produced the second highest priced filly for the sale on record when the half-sister to Altior was sold for €300,000 to Gordon Elliott and Aidan O'Ryan. The September Yearling Sale saw a record price of £325,000 as well as the Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale seeing a 9% increase in average and a median price of €21,978, an increase of 22%. The November National Hunt Sale achieved its own records with the highest average on record and a record price for a mare when Laurina was sold for €290,000. This year we also saw the implementation of Live Online Bidding which is a perfect example of how the industry is evolving and has adapted to circumstances.
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a safe and happy Christmas and we look forward to seeing you next year, in what we hope will be a more positive outlook.”
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