Even in the curious world of bloodstock, there is no time of the year when spending seems to become quite so giddy as during the week of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. The three-session sale will be held Dec. 1-3. While the international set regard next week's equivalent in Deauville to be the ultimate festive experience, the Christmas shopping very much begins in Newmarket.
The cash changing hands even at the October Yearling Sale was seen by some as unhelpful to racing's image as the entire funding model continues to founder, but this sale can in other ways be considered a prime showcase of why the industry needs to be nurtured and supported.
Every major breeder from around the globe will have eyes on individuals in this catalog as representative of the most historic and coveted bloodlines that money can buy. Last year, record trade saw ten mares tipping past the 1,000,000gns mark, with two-thirds of them bought by overseas entities to bolster paddocks as far afield as the United States and Japan. It can be justifiably described as a concerning talent drain but, at the same time, this is outside investment entering the British and Irish ecosystem.
It is reasonable to again expect a few entrants to reach seven-figure heights, particularly in the keynote Sceptre Session Dec. 2, with some obvious names to consider.
Best of the lot on figures was Porta Fortuna (Lot 1734), the collector of group races at 2, 3, and 4, and some major prizes during her incredibly consistent time with Donnacha O'Brien.
Choisya (1717) reached the top level in this year's Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland for the Crisford team and has additional value as a daughter of Night of Thunder, who is set to be crowned this year's champion sire of Britain and Ireland.
Survie (1723) was beaten a head in last year's Prix de Diane (G1) and has gone very close to group 1 glory for Nicolas Clement again this year, while Tamfana has been another exemplary performer (1743) for David Menuisier and Quantum Leap Racing, gaining her biggest day in last year's Sun Chariot Stakes (G1).
Tiffany (1747) is unlikely to pass the 2017 European auction record of 6,000,000gns set by Elite Racing and Sir Mark Prescott, who were also both responsible for the star sprinter Marsha, but has enterprisingly finished second in three consecutive group 1s in Germany.
Results from last week's Foal Sale were a reminder, even if he doesn't win the sire title this year, that Frankel remains the biggest draw in flat racing. His mere three foals, including the 1,150,000gns top lot, put him easily at the top of the table on aggregate and average.
It had looked only a matter of time, and yet may be the case posthumously, that Wootton Bassett would be champion sire one day, and he will finish a clear second this year. The death of the rags-to-riches Coolmore resident in September means that his final crop will be born in 2026, and there are half a dozen opportunities to own one of them, with several Galileo and Dubawi mares in the catalog.
