IT may have taken a little time to warm up but the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale concluded on Thursday evening with a set of final figures that made for good reading and broke new ground in several areas.

After a relatively quiet beginning the sale picked up markedly through the second half of the day with the result that the number of six-figure transactions – 11 in all – was a record for the sale.

They in turn pushed the aggregate to in excess of €6.6 million which was a record for the sale and a 2% progression on the corresponding tally from last year when the sale was forced to relocate to Newmarket.

The average of €38,155 advanced 3% on last year and also represents a new high while the €22,000 median did drop by 4% but is still the second best on record. Over the course of the day the clearance rate picked up markedly to come in at 85% although this was 6% behind last year’s figure.

In all this represented another good edition of Ireland’s only breeze-up sale which again benefitted from a diverse and busy international buying base. The level of activity in the six-figure bracket was quite notable as the transactions in this segment of the market improved from eight to 11 and the top of the market was also a good deal stronger than it has previously been at this sale.

Indeed there were four lots to make at least €200,000 whereas the last time this sale took place at Tattersalls Ireland the top lot came in at €175,000.

Dubai purchases

Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of the day was the number of high-profile lots bought to go straight to Dubai. Jono Mills made note of the expanding racing programme there after signing for one of the day’s highest priced lots. Perhaps this factor, along with other racing jurisdictions in that region developing emerging programmes of their own, could become an increasingly significant factor when it comes to the breeze-up market for the coming years.

Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins commented: “Today’s trade has been outstanding. We are thrilled that the sale returned to its rightful place in Ireland where the first ever breeze-up sale in Europe was staged and to produce record-breaking results.

“A remarkable record top price of €520,000 headed 11 horses selling for €100,000 or more, and we are delighted that the faith placed in Tattersalls Ireland by both James Hanly and Katie Walsh has been repaid aplenty. Our sincere thanks go to both and all our other vendors who have provided us with quality two-year-olds.

“The top price is the highest price ever achieved at Tattersalls Ireland. It was fantastic to watch the fierce competition between leading purchasers for this filly and others and proves that when we are provided with the best horses we can deliver. Our hope is that these results and our improved facilities will continue to convince more consignors that they can and will achieve the very best results in the Tattersalls Ireland sales ring.

“The sale produced a healthy clearance rate of 85%. The demand we enjoyed has been driven by a truly international buying bench with a flood of overseas buyers with significant parties from UAE, Scandinavia, Germany, Spain, and Italy taking on spirited bidders from the UK and Ireland.

“To surpass last year’s record figures achieved at Tattersalls in Newmarket last year was extraordinary.

“We must also extend our thanks to Charles O’Neill and the team at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing who worked so hard on bringing the abundance of overseas buyers and the team at Fairyhouse Racecourse for providing us with an excellent, safe surface,” he concluded.