The Tattersalls December Foal Sale concluded Dec. 1 with a Dutch Art colt topping the final session at 105,000 guineas (US$168,598) on a day that saw 150 lots sell for 3,688,900 guineas ($5,923,281).
The average price was 24,593 guineas ($39,489) and a median of 19,500 guineas ($31,311). The-four day sale saw a total of 708 lots sell for 24,132,700 guineas ($38,749,972) at an average of 34,086 guineas ($54,732) and a median of 20,000 guineas ($32,114).
The top lot on the final day was a colt out of the Paris House mare Arculinge purchased by Paddy Twome. Consigned by Throckmorton Court Stud on behalf of Mrs. Sheila Oakes, the colt is closely related to the smart sprinting pair Corrybrough and Amour Propre.
Just before the Dutch Art colt sold, a Rip Van Winkle colt owned by Lady Jennifer Green and also consigned by Throckmorton Court Stud, lit up the ring when knocked down to Camas Park Stud's Timmy Hyde for 90,000 guineas ($144,513). The colt is out of the Trippi mare Sinister Ruckus, who is a sister to the group II Queen Mary winning filly Jealous Again.
"There was a lot of interest in them and it gives you confidence," said Peter Balding of Throckmorton. "They are lovely individuals and the Rip Van Winkle is a great walker. But both are by commercial, fashionable sires. I am just delighted for the whole team."
The other lot to top six-figures on the final day of the foal sale was an Exceed and Excel colt out of the Pivotal mare One Giant Leap, who went to Carmel Stud's Peter Morgan for 100,000 guineas ($160,570). Consigned by Peter Player's Whatton Manor Stud, the colt was the second lot purchased by Carmel Stud, both sons of Darley's smart Australian sprinter.
"He has been bought as a mate for our earlier buy," said Morgan. "He'll be coming back here. I like the sire and this is a good-walking horse; he should appeal to buyers next year."
At the conclusion of the December foal sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented, "The extraordinary trade at the recent Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has without doubt had a major impact on this week's December Foal Sale. Park Paddocks has been a hive of activity from the outset and the significant gains made at last year's Tattersalls December Foal Sale have been bettered again with turnover in excess of 24 million guineas ($38,536,895) for only the third time.
"The real feature of the sale has been the sustained demand at all levels of the market. Competition in every price range has been fierce with pinhookers from Britain, Ireland, and further afield competing with many of the world's leading owners.
"The sale topping Galileo colt purchased by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani was the highest priced December Foal since 2004, the number of six figure lots has exceeded last year's total, the key indicators of average and median have all but matched 2011, and the clearance rate is the best this century. The resilience of this industry continues to amaze and tribute must again be paid to the professionalism of the consignors and purchasers alike who combine every year to make this Europe's premier foal sale.
Next up is the Tattersalls December Mare Sale starting Dec. 3 at 9:30 a.m.
A Dutch Art colt topped the final session of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale at 105,000 guineas.
