The Tattersalls December Foal Sale concluded with a strong fourth and final session that saw nine lots realise 50,000 guineas or more, headlined by Alvediston Stud’s EXPERT EYE colt at 80,000 guineas. There were increases in aggregate and average pushing turnover for the sale past 31 million guineas.
Foley Buys Expert Eye Colt for 80,000 Guineas
The top price on the fourth and final day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale was 80,000 guineas to the bid of Joe Foley for the EXPERT EYE colt out of the OASIS DREAM mare RESPONDEZ. The January born colt was consigned by Paul and Sara Thorman’s Trickledown Stud on behalf of Alvediston Stud and purchased on behalf of Steve Parkin’s Clipper Logistics.
"He was bred by the Wardalls, very good breeders," said Foley. "We have supported the sire well in his first years, we have got some very nice yearlings to go into training by him. We are a fan of the sire, he was a very good racehorse from a very good sire line."
The colt is from the second crop of Juddmonte Farm’s Breeders’ Cup Mile winner EXPERT EYE, whilst his dam RESPONDEZ was bred by Juddmonte and is a sibling to the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes winner PROHIBIT as well as the Listed winners EMERGENCY and PRIOR WARNING.
"He is a lovely well-developed foal, he looks like Prohibit, freakishly like him. Oasis Dream mares are very good, I like his pedigree, I have seen all the foals out of the mare over the years and he is the best one out of her. Let's hope he can prove that on the track. I was keen to buy one by Expert Eye this week, and he was my pick."
Chairman’s Statement
At the conclusion of the 2021 Tattersalls December Foal Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;
“The highest priced foal sold in Europe since 2002, fourteen of the fifteen highest priced foals sold in Europe this year, turnover in excess of 30 million guineas and a clearance rate bettered only twice this century are all impressive statistics reinforcing the status of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale as the premier sale of its kind in Europe.
“The obvious highlight of the past four days was the spectacular sale of the Swinburn family’s outstanding DUBAWI colt out of their wonderful mare MADONNA DELL’ORTO for 1.8 million guineas; the highest price for a foal in Europe and North America this year, but the real feature of the 2021 renewal of Europe’s premier foal sale has been the unrelenting British and Irish demand from start to finish.
“Strong yearling sales drive the foal trade and the significant rises in all the key indicators this week reflect the extraordinary strength of the market throughout the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and also pay tribute to the endeavours of the pinhookers who have worked tirelessly all week. Owners looking for quality foals to race in the future have also made a major contribution to a successful sale, but as ever during the December Foal Sale, Park Paddocks has primarily been the domain of the British and Irish pinhookers, joined by many of their counterparts from throughout Europe.
“The sustained demand at all levels has been notable and the record number of foals selling for 50,000 guineas or more has demonstrated a depth to the market which is encouraging as we turn our attention to a quality renewal of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale which begins on Monday and showcases the finest breeding stock to be found in Europe."
Tattersalls Release
