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When the curtain came down on the 2020 December Sale, all participants could have been forgiven for hoping that it would be the last we would see of Covid-restricted sales. Regrettably, the situation in Britain has subsequently worsened, meaning that Tattersalls, which managed to stage all of its scheduled sales last year, along with a few extras and a few delays, has been forced to conduct its first auction of 2021 entirely online.

The mixed February Sale is perhaps the one through the year which could withstand some disruption best but it is nevertheless a very useful sale and one which has produced its fair share of success in its 20-year existence. Indeed, Venetias Dream (Ire) (Librettist) is an example of the value that can be found in February. Sold for just 1,000gns in 2013, she was subsequently bought back from Turkey when Charm Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a son of her half-sister L'Enjoleuse (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), burst onto the scene, and Venetias Dream has since found fame in her own right as the dam of last year's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Dream And Do (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}).

Results such as this keep optimistic breeders returning to these midwinter sales, and this one in particular usually offers a chance to see some new sires at the TBA Stallion Parade. This year, potential buyers will have to be content with sitting in front of their computer screens, scrolling through form and videos, rather than patrolling Park Paddocks. 

The brave new world of online sales may be suboptimal in this regard but it has nevertheless been embraced by buyers and vendors, particularly as the alternative while lockdown continues is to have no sale at all.

Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock is based within hollering distance of Tattersalls in Newmarket and in lieu of being on the sales ground this year he has put in plenty of work ahead of the sale, both on the computer and at racing yards and studs. 

He said, “The better quality videos and photographs, and the more information online, such as veterinary certificates and heights and weights for horses in training, has been great. There needs to be, and I have found that there has been, an increased transparency and disclosure from the vendor when you ring up to ask about a horse.”

McStay continued, “In certain instances where possible I have been able to do socially-distanced and Covid-safe visits to stud farms and training yards to inspect animals of interest, so I think that all of those things make it workable. It's not ideal—we'd all rather be inspecting horses thoroughly and maybe reinspecting a second time, but that isn't practical. In the situation that we're in Tattersalls and their competitors have made an incredible effort and they are to be commended for still being able to hold a sale. The fact that they've been sensible and are going to hold a second sale in six weeks' time, which hopefully people will be able to attend, is also a big benefit.”

McStay avers that demand for horses in the UK remains high, with an increasing number of overseas buyers involved in public auctions and private purchases. 

“Whether it be a broodmare or a horse in training, the market for a good horse is stronger than ever,” he adds. “However, it is very selective in the middle tier and the bottom end of the market has had a huge drop, and it will continue to drop until the prize-money issue is resolved. 

“Thankfully, people love our game, they love racing, and people want to win the top races around the world so the demand for a good horse is still high. Our product in the UK is becoming more and more export-orientated. A lot of the horses I would buy, and the same for a lot of other agents, will continue their careers in Australia, America, Hong Kong or Dubai. That unfortunately is a reflection on our prize-money.”

So what potential gems can be found in this year's February catalogue, which started out with 497 horses but had been depleted by the withdrawal of around 200? One which won't be found in the book but is a wildcard entry online is the last horse to sell on Thursday, Noble Yeats (Ire) (lot 256A).

The 6-year-old son of Yeats (Ire) is an unusual entry for this sale and would be more likely found in a Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale in a normal year. The gelding recently won a Thurles bumper by 19 lengths for trainer Emmet Mullins and is entered in Saturday's G2 Goffs Future Stars Bumper at Leopardstown. Noble Yeats was also runner-up on his sole point-to-point start and was third on his bumper debut in late December. 

Coloratura Soprano (ITY), a Golden Horn (GB) half-sister to last season's G2 Oaks d'Italia winner Auyantepui (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) is among the horses offered by the Castlebridge Consignment. The 3-year-old (lot 162) has been trained in her first three starts by John Gosden.

Oakshott Bloodstock consigns the sole mare in foal to Showcasing (GB) in the catalogue in 8-year-old Little Voice (lot 39), a dual-winning daughter of Scat Daddy who has a yearling filly on the ground also by the Whitsbury Manor Stud stallion. 

Part of the continuing Broughton Bloodstock dispersal is lot 63, Carter's Grove (Ire), a Lilbourne Lad (Ire) half-sister to the useful stallion Sir Prancealot (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) and to listed winner Nice Applause (Ire) (Royal Applause {GB}). The 8-year-old mare is sold with an early May cover to young stallion Le Brivido (Fr). Her yearling filly by Charm Spirit (Ire) features later in the sale as lot 96.

Among the horses in training in the opening session is the Daniel and Claire Kubler-trained Chitra (GB) (lot 146). The hardy 5-year-old is a rare sprinter by Sea The Moon (Ger) who has won seven of her 34 races over five and six furlongs. 

On behalf of breeder Lordship Stud, New England Stud consigns lot 153, Swiss Kiss (GB) (Dansili {GB}). The winning 10-year-old mare is in foal to Acclamation (GB) on a May 22 cover and is a daughter of Lordship's successful broodmare Swiss Lake (Indian Ridge {GB}), whose 12 winning offspring include the Group 3 winners Swiss Spirit (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Swiss Diva (GB) (Pivotal {GB}).

The sale is conducted online on Thursday and Friday from 10am. Potential buyers, once registered, can place bids via the Tattersalls internet bidding platform or on the telephone to a member of staff.

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