'The first ever seven figure foal. It was a Bob Beamon long jump moment'

What do you enjoy most about the December Sales?

The extraordinary diversity of the December Sales gives it a unique atmosphere and vibrancy. To see so many people from so many different countries descend upon Park Paddocks every year for the December Sales is hugely rewarding. The sale is almost an annual pilgrimage. Sadly there will inevitably be Covid-related absentees this year who would never miss it under normal circumstances, but there are still people coming from all over the world, some of whom are making considerable sacrifices in order to do so.

How important was it that the sale was allowed to go ahead in a reasonably normal fashion?

It was a huge relief for all concerned when it was confirmed in the latest government lockdown regulations that livestock and horse auctions should continue. The Tattersalls December Sale is an event of global significance within the bloodstock industry and, as well as being hugely influential, plays a vital role in the sales and production cycle for European breeders.

Sales at Tattersalls have been given the green lightCredit: Laura Green

What is the feeling at Tattersalls about the likely strength of the market?

I think everyone felt that the October Yearling Sales exceeded expectations in this most difficult of years, and the resilience of the market provided a solid platform for the December Sales. It gave a platform for pinhookers to move into the Foal Sale with a bit more confidence and, while there are different buyers again at the Mares Sale, the sustained demand at the Foal Sale should continue to drive the breeding stock market.

Have you any particular highlights from December Sales gone by?

This one ages me a bit! I will never forget the 2.5 million guineas paid by Satish Sanan for the Caerleon colt out of Doff The Derby, an own brother to 1991 Derby winner Generous, at the 1997 December Foal Sale. He was consigned from David and Diane Nagle’s Barronstown Stud and was the obvious standout in the sale, but nobody saw 2.5 million guineas coming.

He broke every single record in the book. It was a world record for a foal that stood for around 20 years, the highest price ever at Tattersalls, never mind the December Sale, and the first ever seven-figure foal at the December Sale. It was a Bob Beamon long jump moment - that also ages me!

Ironically, the accolade of highest-priced lot ever sold at Tattersalls lasted less than a week as the 1996 Irish Oaks winner Dance Design was purchased a few days later, also by Satish Sanan, for an identical 2.5 million guineas.

Do you think that online bidding will play as big a part in bidding for this type of bloodstock?

The live internet bidding facility, which we reintroduced in June, has been hugely important throughout this Covid-affected sales season and it will undoubtedly continue to play a major role with the breeding stock.

We've done everything possible to adapt to the circumstances to enable participation for those who have been unable to attend, and, in addition to live internet bidding, we've expanded telephone bidding and every effort is made to put people into contact with those who are here in person and can act on their behalf.

Palace Pier will be one of this month's star attractionsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Presumably the continuation of the Floors dispersal will be a poignant but significant part of the sale?

Almost all dispersals are tinged with sadness and the part-dispersal from Floors Stud falls into this category. The late Duke of Roxburghe was a passionate and very successful owner-breeder who has left a lasting legacy, and the foals and mares in the part-dispersal will undoubtedly be among the highlights of the 2020 Tattersalls December Sale.

Are there any other obvious entries in the catalogue to look out for?

It is always difficult to pick out individual highlights from market-leading catalogues with such strength and depth, but Beach Frolic, the dam of recently crowned Cartier champion Palace Pier, is an outstanding broodmare in a typically strong December Mares catalogue.

The Mare Sale continues the Tattersalls December Sale from Monday to Thursday this week.

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Published on 29 November 2020inNews

Last updated 18:13, 29 November 2020

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'The first ever seven figure foal. It was a Bob Beamon long jump moment'

Tattersalls marketing director Jimmy George on this week's December Sale