All three venues record across-the-board gains in stellar year of trade

Tattersalls Ireland has seen across-the-board gains for all three of its venues - Fairyhouse, Ascot and Cheltenham - this year, each recording record averages of €20,347, £9,030 and £82,211.

The Fairyhouse division recorded an increase in aggregate for the sixth consecutive year - the final figure reading €53.4 million - as the company continued its sharp upward trajectory since the recession in Ireland in 2009.

The €62m in sales recorded in 2006 and the €57m set in 2007 now look achievable targets for the company next year.

Record editions of the Derby, September and November National Hunt Sales in 2017 helped increase the aggregate figure for the Fairyhouse sales, while the aggregate at Cheltenham increased substantially by 33 per cent - up from £13.8m to £18.3m.

Individual records were also broken when the ill-fated Flemenshill sold for £480,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham January Sale, becoming the most expensive point-to-pointer sold at public auction.

Derby delight

33 lots broke the six-figure mark at the Derby Sale at Fairyhouse in June, with the unbroken Kapgarde gelding Kap Ocean reaching the eye-watering sum of €220,000.

The September Yearling Sale recorded an enviable 90 per cent clearance rate with Ballyphilip Stud, who enjoyed breeding success with Harry Angel and Battaash this year, selling a Showcasing colt for €230,000.

Fairyhouse graduates One For Arthur and Sizing John completed a Grand National-Gold Cup double, while Unfortunately emerged from the September Yearling Sale to win the Darley Prix Morny at Deauville.

The aggregate figure for the Ascot sales increased by two per cent to £6.1m, in the second year since the company took over from Brightwells.

Tattersalls Ireland will also be pleased the Ascot Breeze-Up Sale broke the £2m mark for the first time, with Sands Of Mali graduating from the sale and earning his connections a chance to speak at the Gimcrack dinner with an electric performance on the Knavesmire in August.

The inaugural Ascot Yearling Sale, meanwhile, "produced encouraging statistics and showed scope for further progression".

Sands Of Mali: star graduate of the Ascot Breeze-Up SaleCredit: Edward Whitaker

No less than 65 horses were traded for six-figure amounts at Cheltenham, including the aforementioned Flemenshill, with the average figure increasing by almost £30,000 to £82,211.

Other notable graduates of the Cheltenham sales include the ill-fated Fayonagh, Finian's Oscar and On The Blind Side - all of whom have Cheltenham wins to their name.

"We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all our customers," said Roger Casey, managing director at Tattersalls Ireland. "Your support in 2017 has ensured a rewarding year for Tattersalls Ireland across all three sales venues. We would also like to extend a thank you to Irish Thoroughbred Marketing team for their efforts in 2017.

"On a personal note, I would like to thank the entire team at Tattersalls Ireland and the wider Tattersalls network. The growth witnessed over the past number of years is a result of their hard work and commitment.

"2018 will see another exciting year in store for Tattersalls Ireland; the first sale of the year will take place at Fairyhouse on January 30 and 31 for the February National Hunt Sale and at Cheltenham on February 15. We also look forward to the introduction of the new May Store Sale in 2018."

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Watch Sands Of Mali capture the Gimcrack Stakes in August