AFTER four days of selling at last week’s Tattersalls December Foal Sale, it transpired that the market had tightened at the very top for end users, while pinhookers remained as strong as ever at all other pricepoints, despite the 2025 yearling sales not always justifying their 2024 investments.

The sole millionaire, bought by M.V. Magnier, was a genuine highlight, but a lack of high-spending end users was apparent in the second highest-priced foal, which saw Henry Lascelles acting on behalf of breeder Lady Bamford to buy out a foal share.

With three less foals offered, turnover dropped by 5,610,600gns. Naturally, the average price fell with it, with 58,659gns representing a decrease of 13% year-on year, yet remained the second-highest in the sale’s history.

Amo Racing and Sumbe were major absentees from the buyers’ table, and combined with a huge drop in spend by Ace Stud, who signed as Willingham in 2024, accounted for a 8,229,000gns drop in sales.

While certain buyers increased their outlay more than others, solid demand across the board was the real driving factor in setting a record median price of 30,500gns.

Pinhookers are always keen on first crop sires, as no runners means no risk of their appeal fading before resale, but their popularity was even more pronounced at this year’s sale.

Twelve months ago, four first crop sires – Baaeed, Blackbeard, Lucky Vega and Minzaal – commanded an average exceeding 50,000gns, but this year, eight achieved that.

Paddington, who had just three foals sell, produced the highest average price at 120,000gns. Chaldean’s 25 foals sold for an average price of 107,440gns, Ace Impact’s three averaged 91,667gns, Native Trail’s 15 averaged 85,833gns, Erevann’s pair averaged 75,000gns, Shaquille’s 35 averaged 64,371gns and Little Big Bear’s quartet averaged 59,500gns.

Tattersalls’ take

Once the sale had concluded, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented: “We have seen the highest-priced colt and filly sold in Europe this year, including the 1,150,000 guineas Frankel colt from James Wigan’s West Blagdon Stud.

“This represents the third-highest price ever achieved for a colt foal in Europe and is a fitting tribute to a consignment that is consistently one of the highlights of Europe’s premier foal sale.

“The sale’s market-leading status is further underlined by eight of the top ten prices in Britain and Ireland this year, a median that stands 40% higher than that of our nearest competitor, and unrivalled average and turnover figures. The number of lots realising 50,000 guineas or more has also reached a record level.

“The diversity at the top of the purchasers’ list is particularly gratifying, with the top ten lots bought by ten different individuals.”