Sioux Nation colt repays inspired 1,500gns purchase by breeder Rebecca Matthews

A budding breeding syndicate received the sort of result any small player would barely dare to dream of when their Sioux Nation colt sat on top of the standings at the final session of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

Rebecca Matthews bought Autumn Snow, a once-raced maiden for Godolphin but more significantly a well-related daughter of Invincible Spirit whose full sister is the twice Group-placed juvenile Figure Of Speech, for just 1,500gns at the 2018 February Sale.

Breeding under The Brigadier Partnership, the mare's second foal was sent to be prepped and consigned by Barton Stud, whose manager Tom Blain was delighted when agent Alex Elliott's successful 88,000gns bid brought the whole plan together.

Market proves anything but frosty at robust December Foal Sale

He was the most expensive of eight members of Sioux Nation's first crop to change hands, the Phoenix and Norfolk Stakes winner having entered Coolmore Stud at a €12,500 fee.

"This was an investment by the breeders to get going, they've put a lot into breeding and taken a few risks to get here, so it's going to help them a lot," Blain said. "He was a standout foal today, we deliberately came for Saturday to try to stand out."

Matthews was not at Park Paddocks but Blain continued: "They're lovely people and this has got them going. Autumn Snow has a Highland Reel yearling and she's in foal to Le Brivido."

Considering the sale overall, Blain said: "I think we've sold every single one we brought, and I'm delighted. You've got to bring stock that people want to buy, we always do that, and the usual people are here; buying foals is what these guys do.

"The clearance rate has been great and considering the current economic climate, it's incredible. I just hope that next year the horses come back and make some of these people a few quid."

Matt Houldsworth bought the Australia colt from Stringston FarmCredit: Laura Green

Another operation to exit the auction with measured optimism was the Pocock family of Stringston Farm, whose Australia colt topped their draft when bought by Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock for 62,000gns with Aughamore Stud.

Stringston's brilliant mare Sitara famously bred them Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling and high-class pair Golden Sword and Sydney Opera House. Bitooh, by Diktat, is another of her daughters and one that they were inspired to bring back into the Devon fold.

"We bred her, sold her and actually bought her back after Rekindling won the Melbourne Cup," said Nick Pocock. "She'll probably go back to Ireland and visit Australia again, as the family has done very well."

Asked for his verdict on the sale overall, Pocock added: "Tough but reasonable, I'd say. We brought eight here and sold seven.

"For next year, I think we're going to have to have a lot of conversations with stallion handlers. We haven't made any nominations yet, and we'll probably breed a few less but there is a trade and you've still got to be positive."

Matt Houldsworth, of the buyers, said: "We've bought him for resale, hopefully for Book 1 or 2. It's a smashing family, one which has been with the Pococks for a long time."

Mickley Stud concluded the event with 24 lots sold for turnover of 638,000gns and an average of 26,583gns. The operation's Saturday draft was capped by the 50,000gns sale of a Rajasinghe colt to Phil Cunningham.

Mickley's Richard Kent, who was also encouraged by the enthusiasm for the first crop of his stallion Massaat, said: "I bought his dam Bakoura for just €3,500 - I had a lad at the sales in Ireland who needed to get back to Shropshire, the only way was on a truck with a horse - so I had to buy a mare to get him home!"

Chairman's statement

The hosts were entitled to feel satisfied at overall trade and Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said: "We felt that the relative strength of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales would provide a solid platform for the December Foals and this has been borne out by another 2020 sale at Park Paddocks which has held up remarkably well under the current circumstances, and particularly considering the continued widespread travel restrictions.

"Despite having the smallest catalogue since 2001, with 191 fewer foals catalogued than last year, the sale has achieved turnover just over 10 per cent below last year’s lofty returns and single digit declines in average and median.

"Not for the first time this year we can reflect on a market which has displayed extraordinary and commendable resilience, most graphically illustrated by a clearance rate which compares favourably not only with 2019, but also with the majority of recent renewals of Europe’s premier foal sale.

Overall trade for foals was encouraging in the circumstancesCredit: Laura Green

"Trade has been competitive throughout the week, starting with sustained demand for the yearlings and flowing consistently through four days of the cream of the British and Irish foal crop. As ever the sale has been dominated by pinhookers and we applaud them for their huge contribution, but even more so in this strangest of years.

"The sale has been conducted under the strictest of health protocols and the compliance and awareness of all the rules and regulations has been admirable, as has the acceptance that we have not been able to provide the full Tattersalls sales experience in the current environment.

"Nevertheless, we have sold 64 foals for 100,000gns or more this week, including Airlie Stud’s outstanding sale-topping Dubawi colt whose 700,000gns price tag is the second highest for a colt foal at this fixture.

"In addition to the individual highlights, we have had widespread participation, some of it online, from buyers from throughout Europe, Japan, North America and the Gulf region, all of which gives encouragement as we turn our attention to the annual showcase of Europe’s finest breeding stock at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale."

More Tattersalls news:

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