The four-day Tattersalls December Mares Sale came to a close with the fourth and final session bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary record-breaking sale. The turnover for the sale was a record 83 million guineas, up 20% on last year’s corresponding sale, whilst the average and median were also wide margin records.
Showcasing Filly Crown’s Lady Realises 34,000 Guineas to Annie O'Rourke
The highest priced lot of the fourth session was the three-year-old filly CROWN’S LADY, who realised 34,000 guineas to Annie O’Rourke on behalf of Michael Swinburn's Genesis Green Stud. Offered by Consign Ltd., the daughter of SHOWCASING is a full-sister to Listed winner and Group 3 fourth SHOWOUT and had posted several significant updates since catalogue publication including a third career victory over seven furlongs in November. Genesis Green’s Michael Swinburn revealed:
"That was more than I wanted to pay for her, but if you have Ed Harper on the other leg he is always going to push. She is a nice frame of a mare, she is by a good broodmare sire in Showcasing and she has a page. We have no plans as yet, we will have to sit down and discuss. I had better go now before I do any more damage!"
CROWN’S LADY is out of the Listed winner and Group 3 placed SELL OUT, a half-sister to Group 3 Fred Darling Stakes winner SUEBOOG, the dam of Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan winner BEST OF THE BESTS, the Listed winner and Group producer MARIKA and to FEE DES MERS, the dam of dual Group 1 runner up SHAANMER.
Chairman’s Statement
At the conclusion of the 2024 Tattersalls December Mares Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented:
“Exactly eight weeks ago we reflected on a Tattersalls yearling sale of breathtaking proportions. Book 1 of the 2024 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale broke every conceivable record and the momentum from those extraordinary three days has shaped the entire Tattersalls sales season ever since.
“Record after record has been broken in the past two months, culminating in a Tattersalls December Mares Sale which has produced sustained international demand from start to finish and again reached unprecedented heights. It has been a fitting way to end an extraordinary year which at times has left even the most seasoned commentators a little stunned.
“The Tattersalls December Mares Sale is an annual barometer for the international thoroughbred breeding industry and the records for turnover, average and median suggest that the appetite for the best European bloodstock is as strong as ever. There are few stages in the world that compare with the unique atmosphere of a packed Tattersalls Sale ring and yet again the elite Sceptre Sessions provided some compelling theatre and memorable highlights. The sale topping 4,800,000 guineas Classic winner YOU GOT TO ME is the highest priced filly or mare in the world this year, the outstanding French Group 1 winner VERTICAL BLUE became the highest priced two year old ever sold at public auction in Europe when selling for 3,200,000 guineas and it is the first December Sale to have three fillies in training selling for 3 million guineas or more with the Group 2 winning sprinter BELIEVING completing the trio.
“In addition to the individual highlights the statistics paint an impressive picture. December Mares turnover rose more than 20% year on year to a new record high well over 80 million guineas, average and median both posted wide margin record highs and the combined December Yearlings, Foal and Mares turnover increased by more than 30%. Gains of this magnitude have all contributed to a record Tattersalls annual turnover up more than 20% from last year’s total, but more importantly they have given a massive boost to the British and Irish breeding industries. While we cannot and should not pretend that all in the garden of British racing is rosy, we should nevertheless be proud that our sport and the wider British and Irish breeding industries continue to be held in the very highest esteem internationally and never has this been more apparent than during the 2024 Tattersalls sale season and throughout this December Sale.
“The overseas contribution has been immense. The best of British, Irish and European bloodstock has yet again enticed international visitors to the December Mares Sale in huge numbers with buyers prioritising the sale above all others. Not for the first time at Tattersalls this year the American participation has been particularly notable. There is a real appetite amongst leading American owners for high class European turf performers and that has played a significant part in the success of this week’s sale alongside demand from Australian, Chinese and Japanese buyers at the top of the market. Buyers from more than 30 countries and every continent have played an equally important role in creating a truly vibrant market, but above all it should be recognised that the British and Irish breeders, buoyed no doubt by the catalyst of the October Yearling Sale, have been the backbone of this extraordinary market.
“We are enormously grateful to each and every person who has contributed not only to the success of the 2024 Tattersalls December Sale, but also to a Tattersalls sales season like no other. A year like this is the collective achievement of a fantastic industry and the unwavering support of vendors and purchasers alike from throughout Britain, Ireland and further afield defines Tattersalls and ensures that we continue to explore every possible avenue to preserve the proud status of Tattersalls as Europe’s leading bloodstock auctioneers.”
