Record Breaking Tattersalls December Sale Concludes

Media Release - Friday December 2

The final session of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale brought the curtain down on the 2022 renewal of Europe’s premier foal and breeding stock sale. The final day of trade saw turnover for the December Mares Sale move further into record territory, with the four-day sale aggregate reaching 80,831,200 guineas, up 30% on last year’s sale total and 16% higher than the previous record set in 2007. The Tattersalls December Sale, comprising yearlings, foals and breeding stock rose 22% to 120,587,750 guineas, also a new benchmark, whilst the annual turnover at Tattersalls breached 400 million guineas for the first time, a wide margin record. 

Alcohol Free was the star of the show and heads to Australia to be trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Pulitzer Prize for Rampal 

Indian buyers have made a significant impact on the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, buying more than fifty lots in total, and it was agent Gaurav Rampal who signed for the session topping mare on the final day. The seven-year-old KODIAC mare PULITZER was knocked down to Rampal for 50,000 guineas on behalf of Indian owner-breeder and stallion owner Tegbir Brar, bought with his brother Harsimran.

"She is a lovely mare," said Rampal, who was about to jump in a car and get to the airport. "She goes to France - her Night Of Thunder two-year-old Night Of Lightning, her first foal, has finished second on his only start to date and looks very exciting."

PULITZER, who was sold by Stetchworth Park Stud, is a winning half-sister to the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes winner SMAIH and was offered in foal to exciting young stallion TIME TEST. 

Chairman’s Statement

At the conclusion of the 2022 Tattersalls December Sale, Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony commented;

“Every so often we experience sales at Tattersalls which defy all expectations, but in 2022 it is probably fair to say that each successive sale here at Park Paddocks has achieved levels of trade which even the most optimistic observers would have deemed unlikely, culminating in a Tattersalls December Mares Sale which at times has been truly astonishing.

“There can be no doubt that the eagerly anticipated inaugural Sceptre Sessions have added a new dimension to what was already Europe’s premier sale of breeding stock. When we launched the Sceptre Sessions back in the summer our goal was to create a format which would allow us to showcase elite fillies and mares to the global audience which defines the Tattersalls December Sale. The response from breeders and consignors to the new initiative was overwhelmingly positive, and this was widely recognised as an exceptional catalogue, but we could not have predicted the extraordinary atmosphere which enveloped Park Paddocks throughout a sale which has seen the record books completely rewritten.

“Turnover, average and median have all soared past the previous record levels and to see the packed sale ring as the succession of outstanding fillies and mares took to the stage will live long in the memories of all those present. The huge number of overseas buyers here at Park Paddocks for the duration of the December Sale reflects the incredible support we have received from the vendors who entrusted us with such an illustrious cast of race fillies and broodmares. Every one of the eleven fillies and mares who sold for one million guineas or more was special and the 5.4 million guineas sale of the gorgeous ALCOHOL FREE was not only the highest auction price in the world this year for a filly in training, but also a wonderful reward for her owner Jeff Smith, her trainer Andrew Balding and all associated with one of the great race fillies of recent years. We all look forward to seeing ALCOHOL FREE race on in Australia and to dual Group 1 winner SAFFRON BEACH, who sold for 3.6 million guineas, who looks set to target the $20 million Saudi Cup in February.

“While the individual highlights will leave lasting memories, we must express our deep gratitude to all who have made 2022 such an extraordinary year at Tattersalls. Sale after sale has attracted buyers from all over the world in overwhelming numbers, and we are enormously grateful for the support we receive from purchasers and vendors alike, all of whom have contributed to a year which has seen our annual turnover exceed 400 million guineas, comfortably exceeding the previous high of 331 million guineas set in 2017. These remarkable figures are a massive tribute to the professionalism and commitment of all involved in the bloodstock industry in Britain, Ireland, France and further afield. It is their consistent support which makes Newmarket such a focal point of the global bloodstock industry and makes the uniquely international Tattersalls December Sale the pre-eminent sale of its type in Europe.”

 
Advertisment
More Reading...
From FNQ To Sha Tin - Aussie Bred Sprinter Wins G2 Premier Bowl
Some horses arrive in Hong Kong with a very different back story - Fresh from winning the $20million The Everest with Ka Ying Rising, David Hayes was back in the winner’s list at Sha Tin on Sunday when Tomodachi Kokoroe won the Group II Premier Bowl (1200m).
One to Watch – Sha Tin – You Don’t See That Every Day!
The Mark Newnham stable has been on fire in Hong Kong since the start of the new season and the former Sydney trainer produced a super promising winner at Sha Tin on Sunday by Capitalist that did everything wrong and miraculously still won the race!
Sires With Winners - Monday October 27
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
NZB Breeze Up Footage Now Available to View Online
The highly anticipated Breeze Up videos for NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale are now available to view online at nzb.co.nz.
Melbourne Cup Dream Alive for Kiwi Stayers
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) dreams are still alive for connections of Kiwi stayers Mark Twain and Trav.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
Sires With Winners - Sunday October 26
Here is the full list of 74 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale (November 12 and 13) is online with breeze up video now in place and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
Rewarding Weekend for Waikato Stud
A double strike at stakes level, a filly with a black-type future and a welcome family success handed Waikato Stud another rewarding weekend.