Tattersalls staged the highest-grossing day ever seen at a European bloodstock auction Tuesday when the second breeding stock session at the December Sale resulted in gross sales of 21,060,500 guineas.
John Magnier bought the top two mares -- 5-year-old Moments Of Joy, in foal to Refuse To Bend, and her 12-year-old mother My Emma, in foal to Pivotal. Both were offered for breeder Ian Matthews by Lanwades Stud
Moments of Joy was purchased for 1.65 million guineas after being bought by Coolmore's Tammy Twomey. John Ferguson was immediate underbidder with one bid, having taken over as Shadwell's Angus Gold dropped out.
"She's been bought for John Magnier and will go to Sadler's Wells - the cross (with Darshaan) has worked well in the past," said Twomey. "She was exceptional-looking and everyone would love to be involved with that family. I thought she was a sales-topper although I wouldn't have put a figure on it."
BBA Ireland's Adrian Nicoll bid on Magnier's behalf for My Emma, going to 1.3 million guineas to outbid Gold.
"She was a jewel of a mare," said Nicoll. "She's been bought for John Magnier and will probably go to Montjeu. She's already done it and there's very few mares in the catalogue like that -- I think the good ones are making more because of their scarcity value. I think she was the best mare in the sale and she was a very good physical model who has been throwing it through her daughters."
Guadalajara, a black-type performer in France, could race for Godolphin after being bought for 800,000 guineas by Ferguson. The 4-year-old is principally a breeding prospect.
There has been a noticeably strong Japanese presence this week and among those heading to the Far-East is Moonlight Dance, a group III-winning half-sister to Irish Derby winner Grey Swallow, covered by High Chaparral.
Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm in Japan purchased the 3-year-old, offered in the Castlebridge Consignment, for 800,000 guineas. "This was one of my picks of the catalogue but the price was a little more than I expected," said Yoshida. "She will go to Japan but I have not decided on mating plans."COMPARATIVE FIGURESYear -- No. Offered -- No. Sold -- Gross -- Average -- Median
2005--267--219--21,060,500--96,167--47,000
2004----223--177--14,330,300--80,962--42,000
Moments of Joy, brought top price at Tuesday's record session of Tattersalls December sale.
