Turnover booms as European sire power grows

After 31 years at the helm, Ken Watt retired as Tattersalls chairman at the end of 1982, passing that responsibility to his cousin Michael, who had himself been a partner in the firm since 1957. As was to be expected, the transition proved seamless, but even as the handover was taking place it was commemorated by a landmark event – the first seven-figure transaction at a European auction.

The occasion was all the more remarkable for the fact that it was totally unexpected. Lot 1275 at the 1982 December Sales was a three-year-old filly whose only appearance on a racecourse had brought her sixth place in a field of 11 for a juvenile event at Doncaster. While that run had been mildly encouraging, there had been no follow-up; Bruce Hobbs had been unable to keep her sound in her second season.

Tenea, who was a daughter of star miler Reform, had let her family down. Her dam Stilvi had been one of the best sprinters of her generation, and she had become a notable broodmare, delivering Group 1-winning colts Tachypous (Middle Park Stakes), Tromos (Dewhurst Stakes) and Tyrnavos (Irish Derby) and Group 2-winning filly Tolmi (Coronation Stakes). Here was the dam’s only flop.