Graduates of the sale have been flying high in recent years, with G3 Anglesey S. winner Kairyu (Ire) (Kuroshio {Aus}), listed winners Ballymount Boy (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) and Fun With Flags (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), all alumni of the 2023 edition. 'TDN Rising Star' Purple Lily (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) is also a 2023 graduate, and she is entered in both the G1 1000 Guineas, and the Irish equivalent, as well as the G1 Oaks at Epsom.

Among the lots on offer are: a Ribchester (Ire) half-brother (lot 6) to GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Twilight Gleaming (Ire) (National Defense {GB}); Group 3 winner Jaameh (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB})'s Mehmas (Ire) half-brother (lot 176); a half-sister (lot 14) by Starspangledbanner (Aus) to Group 1-placed Rohaan (Ire) (Mayson {GB}); and a Persian King (Ire) half-brother (lot 3) to G1 Prix Jean Prat hero and stallion Territories (Ire). Wootton Bassett (GB)'s lot 78 is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road); American Grade I winner Sophie P (GB) (Bushranger {Ire}) is the dam of a colt by No Nay Never (lot 240); and there is also a Vino Rosso colt (lot 89) out of Grade III winner Dreaming Of Liz (El Prado {Ire}). A 2-year-old with a Classic connection is a Blue Point (Ire) filly (lot 12) out of a sister to multiple stakes winner and G1 Irish Oaks second Venus De Milo (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}); while Earthlight (Ire) is represented by a filly (lot 62) out of a sister to multiple Group 1 winner Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}).

Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said, “The Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale is Ireland's only breeze-up sale, and I'm confident the quality of this catalogue will meet the expectations of our clients. The quality on offer at this sale has risen year on year, with stakes class performers and Classic contenders among our graduates in recent editions. I'm certain our purchasers will be satisfied with the choice, diversity and depth of the catalogue. We look forward to working alongside the team at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, and extending a warm welcome to our clients from Ireland, the UK and further afield in May.”

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The Gordon Elliott-trained Caldwell Potter, who won the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown and is as short as 10-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, will race for a partnership comprising John Hales, Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson and Peter Done. 

Bromley commented, “You just don't get these rare commodities come on the market. My heart was skyrocketing when I was watching El Fabiolo jumping at Leopardstown yesterday, but this was far more nerve-wracking!

“I have bought him for great clients John Hales, Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson and Peter Done, who have a lovely horse in Kalif Du Berlais and this horse will join him at Paul Nicholls.”

Elliott put up a determined fight to keep Caldwell Potter at Cullentra House Stables and finished up as underbidder on the horse who was spoken about as a potential Gold Cup prospect by Bromley.

The agent continued, “He is a standout, a lovely horse, I loved him as a youngster as a store. I have watched his career closely – he has only been running over two miles yet he looks a stayer. He may potentially be a Gold Cup horse, long term.

“I can't say what plans Paul will have for the horse and we will see how it all works out, obviously there are the Cheltenham entries and Aintree would be a consideration, but he has been bought really as a chaser of the future.”

The session turnover of €5,290,000 for the 29 lots on offer was a record-breaking aggregate for a one-day boutique National Hunt Sale. The average price for the session was €182,414.

Staffordshire Knot finished the afternoon's trade as the most expensive horse that Elliott managed to keep a hold of on €510,000. Elliott also signed for Sa Fureur, Doctor Elvis and Chemical Energy, bringing his total spend to €1,315,000, while prominent buyers for the stable such as Mags O'Toole stepped in to buy other smart prospects on behalf of current owners within the stable.

Elliott commented, “I was disappointed to lose the big horse, but that is the way it is – hopefully he will be lucky for the new owners. Pied Piper is coming back and we have got all the ones we wanted apart from Caldwell Potter.

“Staffordshire Knot is an exciting six-year-old and we are delighted we have bought him. The horses all looked great – we only had a week's notice for this sale and it is a credit to the staff.”

Simon Kerins, chief executive at Tattersalls Ireland, described staging the dispersal as an honour before labelling the sale as “a phenomenal success.”

He said, “First and foremost, I extend my sincere gratitude to Andy and Gemma Brown, as well as Joey Logan, for entrusting us with their dispersal sale, it has been an honour.

“I would like to express my appreciation to Gordon Elliott and his team – every single horse in this draft has been produced looking in superb order and, finally, the Tattersalls Ireland team for turning this sale around at such speed. It is testament to the team's professionalism and hard work, proof of the flexibility that we have and ability to act as the industry requires.

“The sale has been a phenomenal success and the figures paid have been mind blowing. We knew these horses would be in high demand given their proven level of form, and all the big players were here today.

“We look forward to watching today's sales horses going on to achieve great things on the racecourse, and we hope to see the Browns return to the racing scene in the near future.

“We now look ahead to the National Hunt Store season and inspections, which, of course, will be highlighted by the 50th year of the industry-leading Derby Sale on June 26-27th.”

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Inspectors from Tattersalls, Arqana and Goffs have been out in force in recent weeks trawling through the breeze-up consignors' barns to come up with their shortlists. 

According to Harry Fowler, one of the main inspectors at Goffs, entries for the company's only breeze-up sale have sky-rocketed this year. With most of the viewing done at this stage, the Goffs inspectors will meet in the coming weeks before calling on vendors to make up their mind on Valentine's Day at the latest. By the end of February, the 210 slots for Goffs will be finalised and the catalogue will be sent off to be printed. 

Explaining the process, Fowler said, “You will have definite yeses, some maybes and then straight nos. With the nos, you would discuss them there and then with the consignor so that there are no surprises later on. 

“We get all of our inspections done by the end of January and then have a meeting and go through things on a horse-by-horse basis. We can't have any more than 210 horses in the sale. In the current economic climate that we are in, it's important that we keep it tight and it seemed to work well last year, as the sale leapt forward by 30 per cent on average and over 50 per cent on turnover. It was a rocking sale.”

He added, “The results on the track proved buyers right as well. So we want to keep it tight and, by doing this, we basically allocate vendors a certain number and try to keep them to that number unless they have an exceptional bunch. In that case, we might give them a couple more slots. The same might be the case if, say, they didn't perform last year, we might cut them back a couple of spots. By Valentine's Day, we will have asked vendors to commit about who is going where and then we will send the catalogue off to get printed by the end of February.”

Harry Fowler | Goffs

It may seem a little soon to be making these calls. The Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale is the earliest of them all yet it doesn't take place until April 23 and 24. That's over two months of galloping to be done between making a decision about where you are going with a horse and the fall of the hammer. A lot of time for some to turn a corner and bob their heads above the parapet and, unavoidably, others to go the wrong way. Therein lies the risks.

Tattersalls Ireland boss Simon Kerins is in a unique position in that, not only are he and his team of inspectors searching for that Royal Ascot two-year-old for the Craven Sale in mid April, but there are also slots to be filled for the Guineas Sale in early May and the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale later that month. Without a deep trust and strong working relationship with the vendors, Kerins explains, making these calls in February would be close to impossible. 

He said, “So much of it is down to the trust that we, as inspectors, have with the vendors. The guys who have been doing this a while will be able to tell you if they really think something is good or not. The bonus with the breeze-ups is, if you have a horse by a sire who is just about acceptable from a commercial perspective, they can surpass what they would ever make as yearlings if they go and breeze very well. The same can be said for a horse who is not one hundred per cent correct or if one is a little bit small. 

“From getting out and seeing a lot of the horses over the past few weeks, many of the vendors have done very little with them, and wouldn't have tested them in a way that would determine their ability. A lot of it is faith between the vendor and the inspector.” 

Kerins admitted that while some horses who are just about acceptable in terms of pedigree and conformation get into breeze-up sales provided they are showing the right signs to their respective handlers, the margin for error has become even narrower such is demand for sale slots. 

Kerins added, “The standard is rising. Certainly with our own Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale, the standard is rising exponentially. The challenge that we can sometimes face is we have some people who have been stalwart supporters of us down through the years and always sent us a similar type of horse. Now there are newer people on the scene with a better calibre of horse they want to send us and we have to just marry the loyalty and the quality. It can be very challenging managing numbers and managing expectations as well. We are ultimately delivering bad news to some vendors given there are only a certain number of slots up for grabs. Entries are through the roof but we do have the option in June for those horses who don't get into the Craven, Guineas or Tattersalls Ireland sales, to breeze at Dundalk and then sell online afterwards. That is an option.”

One man who has had more good news than bad in recent times is Shane Power of Tradewinds Stud. It was his Beautiful Diamond (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}) who lit up the breeze-up circuit when selling for £360,000 at the Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale just seven months after being sourced for 30,000gns as a yearling. Those are the types of results that earn a hungry young consignor some clout by the time it comes to inspections. 

“It's like anything, when you turn up and get the results, they repay you the following year and the relationship grows,” Power explains. “We sold our first breezer five years ago at Donny. It was a little horse by Arcano (Ire) and he went and won a couple of races for Michael Dods. A couple of years ago we had only two breezers, last year we had five and this year we have 11, so we are trying to up our game the whole time. We've had all of the sales companies out already this year and you'd have a fair idea about where they are all going at this stage.” 

He added, “But, if you have sold a few good horses the previous year, it's definitely a big help to the sales companies coming back to you because, at the end of the day, that's what they want. We obviously want to get paid as well but the sales companies really need to sell the good horses year in year out to be able to compete with their rival sales companies. In fairness to the inspectors, they do use their imagination and they are well aware that the breeze-ups, in particular, are designed to produce racehorses, and not just sales horses.”

Power also went on to pour cold water on the theory that it's too early to make a prediction on what horse should go where in January and February.

Shane Power | Tattersalls

He explained, “You'd probably have half an idea about who would be likely to go where at the yearlings sales. And, in fairness to the inspectors, they are nearly always on the same page as you when they do come out. The earlier bunch will end up in the Craven or at Donny and, those who need a bit more time, you have the Guineas Sale or Tattersalls Ireland. The horse tells you more so than anything else.”

Power added, “It definitely helps when they have cost a few quid as yearlings. It's probably the most obvious barometer for which people can judge the horses on. It's the same for the foals to yearlings, the first thing a sales inspector can go off is what the market thought of the horse four or five months ago.”

It was Fowler who inspected Beautiful Diamond this time 12 months ago. They don't always stick out like she did, but the Goffs scout recalled what drew him to Beautiful Diamond and how she encapsulates everything that the sale company searches for when out and about in the winter months.

He said, “We understand that, for an earlier sale, our buyers are coming in search of Royal Ascot horses. In the past eight years, we have had nine Royal Ascot winners, and not all of those have been two-year-olds, many have trained on as well. 

“Perfect Power (Ire) and Bradsell (GB) are brilliant examples of top-class Goffs graduates who have not only gone on and won at Royal Ascot, but become stallions as well. Buyers come to Goffs looking for horses who will be early but it's not just the whizzbang two-year-old they are looking for, they want the horses who can train on, just like Perfect Power and Bradsell did.”

He added, “I remember walking into Shane Power's yard last year and being taken by two lovely horses. Both were inexpensive yearlings but they had a lot of quality. One of them turned out to be Beautiful Diamond who, not only breezed very well and made £360,000 to Blandford Bloodstock, but she won first time out and then went on to finish third in the Queen Mary. That's your perfect Donny horse. She has her whole three-year-old career ahead of herself and, in the meantime, she paid for a new barn at Shane Power's yard. That's what we're all hoping for. We were just lucky enough that Shane wanted to bring her to us. He knew exactly what he had from an early stage.

“The flip side of that is there are plenty of examples of when it doesn't work out but Beautiful Diamond was one who just hit you right between your eyes. You've got to rely on your instincts doing this job and, generally, the ones who look as though they might be a little bit chancy at this stage, they are the ones who need a lot of luck.”

They say it's the talented breeze-up men and women who will know quicker than anyone else in the industry who will make it and who will drift away when it comes to the freshman sires. After all, these are the people who are separating the wheat from the chaff. But what do the inspectors think?

Fowler mused, “You would get a fair feel at the yearling sales and again when going around and speaking with all of the breeze-up consignors. Pinatubo, for example, is the favourite for the first-season sires' championship but I have only seen a couple of those so far. A lot of the first-season sires, their progeny look as though they will make up into two-year-olds. I've seen plenty of Shamans and they look like they'll be two-year-olds. The Sergei Prokofievs are big horses so, whether the power of those horses will make them two-year-olds or not, I don't know.”

He added, “I've seen a few sharp and early types by Sands Of Mali, some by Far Above who look to be big and powerful horses like he was and then a few nice Mohaathers. I think they have plenty of quality about them. Arizona is another stallion who I have seen a few nice two-year-olds by. They look to be very powerful horses. There are plenty of good reports on Earthlight but they look to be horses for later on in the season. They look as though they'll train on. The same could be said about Ghaiyyath. They look to be more three-year-old types.”

Like Fowler, Pinatubo and Earthlight were nominated as the more obvious young sires to keep the right side of by Kerins, who admitted that the progeny of younger stallions can often be an easier sell at public auction.

He concluded, “I have only seen a couple of Pinatubos and they were very nice. The same with Earthlight. I've seen a couple of those that were quite nice but that's quite obvious. It's the same with the foals and years, the progeny of the first-season sires sell like hot cakes, and the breeze-ups are no different. With the two-year-olds, if they can gallop and they look the part, they will be an easy sell if they are by any of the first-season sires. Again, it's buying that dream that appeals to so many people.”

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A 20-year veteran of the company prior to his departure for Limerick, Rudd also rode for the late Michael O'Brien until 2002 and counts victory in the 1999 Irish Grand National to his career tally as a jockey.

On the reappointment, Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said, “Tom rejoining could not have been timelier, with the Andy and Gemma Brown Dispersal Sale scheduled for next Monday [Feb. 5]. We also have nominations for the 50th Derby Sale closing on Friday [Feb. 2], and Tom will form an integral part of the inspection team tasked with putting together our National Hunt and Flat sales catalogues later in the year.”

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Consigned by Railstown Stud, the Cotai Glory foal is out of La Cuvee (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}), who has produced five-time winner Daddies Girl (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) as well as the high-class Champers Elysees.

Foley commented of lot 147, “He is a fine foal, a half-brother to a Group 1 winner, and we will see what happens. I have had a few by the stallion, he is a good sire and has had a Group 1 winner and is very commercial.”

While the average climbed 13% to €6,748, the going remained tough with a 42% clearance rate, down 22% on last year. The aggregate was also down 11% to €533,100 while the median stayed the same at €4,000. 

Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins acknowledged the “market correction” taking place in the middle to lower tiers after the sale. 

He said, “Our sincere appreciation goes to every vendor and purchaser for their trust and support of the Sapphire Sale. The notable contributions from purchasers, particularly those from Italy and the UK, played a strong part in today's sale.

“The year's earlier two Tattersalls Ireland Flat sales were headlined by this year's record-breaking and vibrant trade at the Breeze Up Sale, which produced an aggregate that topped €8,500,000 for the first time, and achieved best-ever figures for average and median of €43,033 and €30,000, both numbers hitting new spheres of accomplishment.

“The September Yearling Sale has firmly secured its position as an established choice for yearling buyers. Turnover for this year's renewal reflected this demand stretching over €12 million for the third year in succession with a record median of €28,000, an average over €30,000 for the third year in a row, and with yearlings selling at an 85% clearance rate.”

Kerins added, “However, the trading environment is not straightforward and as the year has come to an end it is evident that there is a market correction in place – buyers are adjusting their spend in light of the current economic headwinds leading to some contraction and a difficult marketplace at the lower levels.

“As the 2023 sales season comes to a close, I would like to acknowledge our vendors and purchasers who have supported Tattersalls Ireland throughout this past year, playing a crucial role in creating plenty of standout moments. Additionally, I would like to extend our appreciation to Irish Thoroughbred Marketing for their consistent support.”

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“The gelding has been bought on spec,” said Anna Ross. “We have the 4-year-old half-brother by Mount Nelson (GB), he goes pointing next spring and we like him. The two are quite different types of horses. The sire speaks for himself and we have been very lucky with the broodmare sire Shantou.”

Consignor Edmond Kent added, “We had a lot of fun with Thanks For Tea, she won some bonuses for us, picked up black-type and was a hardy mare. She is back in-foal to Blue Bresil and is due on Jan. 12–she looks very big at the minute, I won't be taking any holidays in January!”

Of this yearling, he said, “This was always a nice foal, he was born a bit late and I said I'd keep him until he was a yearling.”

It was a two-way split for leading honours in the NH broodmares session with the Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Bonny Kate (Ire) (Beneficial {GB}) from Clonbonny Stud, and The Twelve Pins (Ire) (Beat Hollow {GB}) out of Sixhills (Fr) (Sabrehill) from the Closutton Stables draft, both bringing €40,000.

The Twelve Pins was purchased by Temple Bloodstock.

Aubrey McMahon said, “She has been bought to stay in Willie's. She is a sound racemare, she will race on and has been bought as a broodmare prospect, hopefully, she will do the two jobs.”

At the conclusion of the November NH Sale, Simon Kerins, CEO of Tattersalls Ireland commented, “It was always going to be a tough ask to follow two years of record-breaking trade at the November NH Sale, so for the foal section to return an average just off €18,000 and a commercially-bred yearling to fetch €58,000, the best price given for a yearling at the sale since 2021, is a satisfying result.

“The mares' session lacked the stars from previous years reflecting the desire for owners to retain good racemares as breeding prospects. We recognise that the yearling format on the last day did not prove effective, and we are committed to a thorough reflection on improving this particular section for 2024.”

A total of 641 head sold this season, down 17% from 772 sold in 2022, while gross also dipped to €11,395,200 from €13,883,050 last term. This year's average was €17,777, down slightly from €17,983 in 2022 while media fell 14% from €14,000 to €12,000. Lots listed as unsold stood at 371–a 12% decrease–after this season's five-day run.

“Foals sold at that top level were a feature of all four days' trade, but whilst that top bracket of foals sold this week over €50,000 was a joint record and more foals were sold in excess of €80,000 than ever before, undoubtedly there are trade gaps further down the level and there is no denying the current market is selective.”

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A native of Cork, O'Brien, from a well-known equestrian and racing family, was a former international showjumper at pony and junior level and subsequently worked for 20 years as racing manager with Coolmore in Tipperary.

“We are delighted to welcome Tammy to the Board of Tattersalls Ireland. Tammy has played a pivotal role in Tattersalls' growth and has become an invaluable member of the group,” said Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins. “Having known Tammy for nearly 40 years, I can attest to her extraordinary work ethic, and I believe she is ideally placed to drive the ongoing development of Tattersalls Ireland. Her deep industry knowledge, strategic acumen and professionalism will undoubtedly be a great asset to us and our clients over the coming years.”

O'Brien added, “I am delighted to accept this appointment to the Board of Tattersalls Ireland, while also maintaining my current role with Tattersalls in Newmarket. Tattersalls Ireland has achieved sustained growth in recent years and I am looking forward to contributing to its continued success alongside Simon Kerins, my fellow Board members and the whole team at Tattersalls Ireland, all of whom share a commitment to the very highest standards which have always been the hallmark of the Tattersalls group.”

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The Derby Sale achieved more winners at the Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham Festival and Aintree Festival than any other store sale again this year and has claimed 12 Grade 1s in 2023.

“Exceptional doesn't come close to what we have on offer at this year's Derby Sale,” Simon Kerins, CEO of Tattersalls Ireland, said. “Our team have worked tirelessly with vendors to handpick the best individuals with pedigrees to match, resulting in an outstanding line-up of superior National Hunt prospects–a catalogue that is unparalleled in quality.”

The catalogue is now available to view online.

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The support is in addition to the €100,000 from Horse Racing Ireland through the Foal Levy. Established in 2013, the scheme's aim was to enhance the prices of fillies at store sales and encourage breeders to return their fillies in training. The Weatherbys ITBA NH Fillies Bonus scheme pays out €5,000 to any eligible filly who wins their mares-only maiden bumper, maiden hurdle and beginners' steeplechase. The scheme has awarded more than €2.8m in bonuses to winning connections over the past nine years. The entry fee is €200 for 2024 with each filly having the opportunity to win €15,000 in addition to prize money.

“ITBA and its National Hunt Committee are delighted with the commitment of Goffs and Tattersalls Ireland towards the Fillies Bonus Scheme,” ITBA NH Committee Chairman William Flood said. “Both sales companies have been huge supporters of the initiative from the outset. The additional support, together with the commitment of €100,000 from Horse Racing Ireland through the Foal Levy will ensure the future of the scheme and will enable National Hunt breeders and owners to benefit for keeping their fillies in training.”

Henry Beeby, Goffs Group Chief Executive, added, “Goffs has a rich heritage in NH racing and sales so it was very easy for us to offer increased support to this superb ITBA initiative.”

Simon Kerins, Tattersalls Ireland CEO, said, “This initiative has proven to be a huge success since its inception in 2013, and we are proud to play our part in encouraging breeders and buyers to return their fillies to training and enhancing their residual value. We look forward to working with Una Tormey and her team at ITBA, Goffs, Horse Racing Ireland, Weatherbys, and The Irish Field to further develop and grow this important scheme for the benefit of breeders and owners.”

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The confirmed location and dates of the qualifiers, as well as the final, are as follows:

• May 20–Sceilig Showing Festival, Cork
• May 27–Glandoran Island Summer Show, Wexford
• June 17–Mullingar Show, Westmeath
• July 2–Clonmel Show, Tipperary
• July 8–Ardrahan Show, Galway
• July 18-19–Tattersalls Ireland July Show, Meath
• July 22–Randox Antrim Agricultural Show, Antrim
• 26–Iverk Show, Kilkenny
• Sept. 3–Royal Meath Show, Meath (FINAL)

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