Tattersalls Ireland’s two-day yearling sale ended significantly down at the close of business Sept. 24.
Direct comparisons were hard because there were three days of selling last year. However, it was difficult to ignore the average dropping 22% to 14,738 euros from 18,984 euros, and the median falling 19% to 10,500 euros from 13,000 euros.
Even more telling was the fact that only six lots made 50,000 euros or more compared to 33 in 2007, while the clearance rate slumped to 64% from 74% 12 months before. The highest price seen was 80,000 euros on the first day, much lower than the headline 150,000 euros last year.
The top price on day two was 55,000 euros for a colt from the first crop of La Vie Dei Colori, paid by Ed Sackville of Kern/Lillingston on behalf of British trainer Tom Dascombe, who has done well with horses from this sale.
Consigned from Rathbarry Stud, Dascombe is hoping the half-brother to three-time American winner Vauquelin is as good as July Stakes (Eng-11) victor Classic Blade, who cost 19,000 euros last year.
"There has been a good atmosphere here over the two days, with active trade, particularly on the first day," Tattersalls Ireland's managing director George Merenagh said.
"In an ideal world we would have like to have sold more lots, but at the same time there was certainly no shortage of bidders on any of the good, correct, athletic horses as well as some nice pinhooking touches.
"Business has been significantly encouraged by the facts that most vendors, keeping the wider financial market in mind, have been realistic with reserves, and also the presence of a good range of buyers from a variety of countries. All the feedback from buyers and sellers has confirmed that we made the right decision to streamline this sale to two days."
