THE December Mares Sale catalogue unveiled by Tattersalls on Friday is the smallest offering in the sale’s history, as the sale drops from four days to three on December 1st to 3rd.

The 885 lots catalogued represent a drop of over 11% from last year, when turnover reached record highs from the second lowest offering in the sale’s history. Quality remains high this year, with four Group 1 winners among 80 mares catalogued in the sale’s prestigious Sceptre Sessions.

Two of the top-flight winners hail from Ireland – Donnacha O’Brien’s four-time Group 1 winner Porta Fortuna and Jessica Harrington’s Prix de l’Opera winner Barnavara. Simon and Ed Crisford will offer Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes winner Choisya, while owners Quantum Leap Racing will consign their Sun Chariot Stakes winner Tamfana.

The catalogue also features Group 1 performers Atsila, Purple Lily, Survie and Tiffany. Among those to be offered in foal are Grade 1 runner up Olivia Maralda, who will be offered in foal to Mehmas, and 1000 Guineas third Qabala, in foal to Too Darn Hot. The latter’s yearling sold for 2,200,000 guineas at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

The sale represents one of the final opportunities to purchase a mare in foal to Wootton Bassett, of which there are seven catalogued, including daughters of Group 1 winners Athena, Clemmie and Minding.

The same number have been covered by Frankel, three by Night Of Thunder and one by Sea The Stars.