Banmi tops low-key finish to Tattersalls December Mares Sale at 21,000gns

After the first three days of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale saw 114 lots fetch six figures or more, a list headed by the 2,200,000gns Beach Frolic bought by MV Magnier, proceedings proved rather more low key during Thursday's concluding session.

The top lot commanded a price of just 21,000gns, with Paul Thorman playing the winning hand while stood outside in the pouring rain. The lot in question was Banmi, a three-year-old daughter of Kodiac consigned by Christine Dunnett's College Farm Stables.

Howson and Houldsworth Bloodstock's name appeared on the docket, with Thorman acting on behalf of Geoffrey Howson, who later said: "We've bought her for a French client. She was quite small but she has speed in the pedigree and that's what the client wanted. The Kodiac over Night Shift cross was very appealing too.

View full Tattersalls December Mares Sale results and stats

"I don't know who she'll be covered by yet but she's going to be a broodmare and as she's heading to France she'll visit a stallion in Normandy."

Bred by Tally-Ho Stud, the filly is out of the winning Night Shift mare Fingal Nights and is a half-sister to five winners, including the Listed-placed Moonlight Garden. Banmi won one of her 14 starts, with her Chelmsford maiden success gained while she was in training with Mohamed Moubarak.

Final figures

The four-day December Mares Sale concluded with turnover of 43,111,900gns, down 25 per cent; an average of 58,655gns, down 32 per cent; and a median of 20,000gns, which was down 26 per cent on the 27,000gns generated last year.

However, the clearance rate went in the opposite direction, with 735 of 866 presented lots - a seven per cent increase on last year's offering - finding a buyer at a clip of 85 per cent, up from 82 per cent 12 months ago.

The three sections of the December Sale, comprising yearlings, foals and mares, saw 1,799 lots offered, of which 1,485 found a buyer for a combined clearance rate of 83 per cent.

In turn, those transactions brought turnover of 73,353,300gns, down 20 per cent year-on-year; an average of 49,395gns, down 21 per cent; and a median of 20,000gns, down 20 per cent.

Internet bidding proved a key component of the December Mares Sale, with Tattersalls reporting that 1,637 online bids were accepted, while 136 lots were sold online to 75 different bidders. Those sales saw 3,091,000gns worth of stock change hands, while a further 128 lots were underbid online.

The end of the December Sale also brought Tattersalls' 2020 to a close. The 14 key dates at Park Paddocks, beginning with the February Sale and ending with the December Mares Sale, saw 6,145 lots come under the hammer, with 5,236 of those (85 per cent) changing hands.

Those transactions resulted in an annual turnover of 260,907,700gns, down by 14.6 per cent on the 305,521,400gns generated by 5,068 sold lots in 2019.

Chairman's statement

At the close of trade Tattersalls' chairman Edmond Mahony said: "Traditionally at the conclusion of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale we would reflect upon the level of trade, both at the December Sales and earlier sales, and also record our thanks and appreciation to all those who have contributed throughout the year.

"In this strangest of years our thanks to all concerned is an even more central message, but we should start by expressing heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the wider industry that the 2020 Tattersalls December Sales, Europe's foremost foal and breeding stock sales, have been able to take place, under strict Covid-related protocols, on the advertised dates and with the minimum of disruption to the established cycle of the bloodstock sales season.

"We have been able to bring a testing sales season to a successful conclusion and for that we are enormously grateful. While the usual vibrancy associated with this annual showcase of Europe's finest breeding stock has, by necessity, been lacking, we have again been buoyed by the sustained resilience of the market and the extraordinary determination of buyers from throughout the world who have contributed to yet another 2020 Tattersalls sale which has defied the prevailing social and economic uncertainty.

"In addition to the obvious issues, we were conscious that this year's December Mares catalogue lacked a little of the depth of recent renewals, but nevertheless quality consignments from Britain, Ireland and France have attracted buyers from throughout the world who have been active at all levels of the market, as ever demonstrating the enduring appetite for quality European bloodstock."

Edmond Mahony: 'We have been able to bring a testing sales season to a successful conclusion'Credit: Laura Green

He continued: "While the undoubted highlight of the week was the 2,200,000gns sale of Highclere and Floors Studs' outstanding broodmare Beach Frolic to MV Magnier, encouragement can also be taken from the consistent global participation, with buyers from America, France, Japan, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE all featuring amongst the leading buyers, alongside new and established British and Irish investors.

"Buyers from throughout Europe, the Gulf region, Australasia, India, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan and Turkey have also been active, and a particular feature of the sale has been the prolific use of the live internet bidding facility, which has allowed so many buyers unable to attend in the usual manner to participate successfully. More than half of the lots offered this week have attracted internet bids and it has been notable that the online action has been at every level of the market, including the very top end.

"The implementation of the live internet bidding platform is a perfect illustration of how all involved in this industry have successfully adapted and responded to circumstances outside their control, as is the mutual cooperation with our counterparts at Goffs and Arqana which has allowed us all to adjust sales dates when needed."

Mahony added: "We have staged an unprecedented 16 sales at Park Paddocks since the end of June and after every one of them we have reflected on the admirable patience and determination which everyone has shown to overcome unprecedented obstacles. The world has been thrown into turmoil, but every single participant at our 2020 sales should be applauded for the manner in which they have accepted the demands presented by the global pandemic.

"Few will look back on the 2020 Tattersalls sales season with pleasure, but they can look back with pride and our thanks go to each and every one who has contributed to a Tattersalls sales season of remarkable resilience."