Newly-minted Sapphire Sale polished to a sparkle

Tattersalls Ireland stages its final sale of 2022 on Saturday, with the newly rebranded Sapphire Sale polished up and ready to shine.

The event is a one-of-a-kind, as Chris Farrell of Tattersalls Ireland explained, saying: "It's the only single-day sale in Ireland that offers foals, yearlings and mares on the Flat, and it gives people another outlet."

The position of the Sapphire Sale in the calendar means it is both the final opportunity in Ireland to purchase a yearling at auction and the first chance to buy a foal.

"It's the first opportunity to buy foals in the sales calendar and gives pinhookers a chance to see what's on offer, and as the sales go on they get only more expensive, so the Sapphire Sale provides an early market and one that offers value for money," said Farrell.

"There should be something for everyone at all levels, and I really believe it's a great opportunity for pinhookers to get into the market early."

As part of the sale's overhaul, there is an added incentive to buy and sell a yearling at Fairyhouse on Saturday. From this year, the yearlings sold at the Sapphire Sale are eligible for the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend. The race, worth €300,000 in total prize-money, was won this year by Eve Johnson Houghton with Streets Of Gold.

Additionally, the vendor of the winning horse receives an Outlander horsebox.

"It really does attract buyers from overseas; our September Sale had a significant number of overseas purchasers and both big sales races in Ireland this year were won by British trainers," said Farrell. "The prize-money is a huge attraction and creates a lot of interest."

The company's Flat sales are going from strength-to-strength, with the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale recording a record top lot of €520,000 this year, and the focus on the Sapphire Sale is part of the strategy to further enhance Tattersalls Ireland's offerings in that sphere.

Streets Of Gold and winning connections after the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (Racingpost.com/photos)

Farrell said: "We're developing our Flat sales and with the September Yearling, Breeze-Up and now Sapphire Sale we're really working on improving the quality on offer, and on developing our reputation as a venue to sell a high-calibre of Flat horse. We want to give people options for selling their stock."

Cover star Bellabel is a prime example of the profile the company is striving for. The three-year-old Belardo filly was bred by Fergus Cousins and sold by Ballybin Stud to Patrick Cooper of BBA Ireland as a yearling here for the international syndicate It's All About The Girls.

Successful at two for Jessica Harrington, she was sold privately to race in the United States. Now trained by Phil D'Amato, her gallop to victory in the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes adorns the front cover of the Sapphire Sale catalogue.

Bellabel has since shown herself to be a filly who belongs at the top table, finishing second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks and third in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup.

Group 1 Matron Stakes winner Champers Elysees is another graduate of the sale, as is Norfolk Stakes winner The Lir Jet, who was also second in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes.

Farrell said: "The graduates' success speaks for the sale when they come out and win those types of races. Bellabel is performing on an international stage, and The Lir Jet is a Grade 2 winner in North America as well - yearlings from here can more than hold their own around the world."

The sale begins at 10.30am on Saturday with the yearling session, followed by foals and concluding with a selection of mares.

Fees news:

Brilliant Baaeed to stand at an opening fee of £80,000 at Nunnery Stud

Sea The Stars on the rise as Aga Khan Studs reveals 2023 roster

Solid year for Cheveley Park Stud sires as leading operation releases prices

'It's taken a lot of thought' - Havana Grey stud fee raised to £18,500 for 2023

Frankel's fee rockets to £275,000 after another stunning year

'There's no bigger name in the business' - Dubawi goes to career-high £350,000

'He has made an explosive start to his career' - New Bay to stand for €75,000

Time Test to remain at £15,000 as National Stud reveals 2023 roster