It may be decorated like a sales complex, but Tattersalls Ireland is so much more and on the eve of the September Yearling Sale, chief executive Simon Kerins shared how to have ‘great vibes’ ‘ in the air at Fairyhouse.
The September Yearling sale has been held in the UK for the past two years due to Covid and, upon returning to Fairyhouse, a host of trainers from the UK and Ireland, many top dealers and quick shippers as well as international customers, got over what happened on Monday.
Almost €13 million was staked on this sale last year when buyers were able to peer through the Covid clouds and see the sun come out and, with recent Group 3 Underage winner Sydneyarms Chelsea (Ire) (Sioux Country) and Lakota Sioux (Ire) (Sioux Country) flags that sale, Kerins is hoping the momentum will continue this week.
He explained, “We put a lot of effort into this purchase. Between us and Thoroughbred Marketing Ireland, we put a lot of effort into getting people to come here.
“Trainers in the UK and Ireland have attracted a lot of attention, fast shippers and all major dealers are also here, while many foreign buyers have also arrived today . We have people here from Poland, Italy and Spain, so it looks good. “
Kerins added, “It was a very important purchase and we feel there is room for improvement. I’ve always felt that this sale could go up a notch. We’ve improved the facilities here in Tattersalls, so we can attract people here when we have horses. Great vibes before tomorrow. “
And why aren’t they given the huge demand for horses this fall at Arqana, Goffs UK and Tattersalls UK took place this fall? Tattersalls Ireland will bid to continue that trend as the two-day sale kicks off on Tuesday, followed by a bigger and better Part Two on Thursday, meaning 582 giants will join attack at Fairyhouse this week.
The few will attract as many eyeballs as lot 176, a Footsteps and (GB) half-brother to G1 Flying Five Runner-up S. Erosandpsyche (Ire) (Sepoy {Aus}), consigned by the owner of the talented sprinter, Mark Dreeling and Barbara Fonzo by Cool House Farm.
In Barbara’s words, Erosandpsyche provided Footsteps and spoke to the “mother of all genealogy updates” on Irish Champions Weekend and, while Erosandpsyche failed to sell well and never made it to the Goresbridge Breeze Sale coming in 2020 , you will get great odds when Coole House Farm has to throw a silk set on lot 176.
Even Paddy Twomey, the 110th-ranked sprinter’s coach, went to Erosandpsyche’s younger brother and offered to connect his seal of approval as well as Derryconnor’s Katie McGivern, who joked that she’ll be there to show off the pony if the right price isn’t guaranteed within.
Fonzo said, “Erosandpsyche is a horse that we cannot sell because it is of an unfashionable breed. We tried to show him but he couldn’t so we had to take him for training. Fortunately, it turned out that he was a very good horse.
“One of our customers owned a mare and, when we couldn’t get the Erosandpsyche into a coveted sale, we said we would buy it ourselves. We did not breed him but he was born in our place.
“We bought the mare through the power of Erosandpsyche. She did not breed a winner at the time but now she has bred two and this Footsteps and colt is going down pretty well. “
She added, “All the right people are looking at him. Even Paddy came to see him yesterday [Sunday] and he said we would be fine so we wanted to sell him.
“We always do a great job with Footsteps and. We bred Larcmount Lad (Ire) who won Group 2 and Group 3 after selling for €110,000 at this sale in 2015. We also bred Lexington Fury (Ire) who won a race and looked promising before getting injured so the stallion was good to us. “
Lot 176 is not the only horse in the category that has received a timely boost to its page in recent weeks. Mountarmstrong Stud’s profitable pony (Ire) [lot 127] out of Pilates (Ire) (Shamardal) became a sibling to the Group 2 winner last month as his half-sister Swingalong (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) battled for Lowther S. at York.
Bottle Of Bubbles (Ire) sales graduate (Cotai Glory {GB}), Group 3 winner in Italy, and Sir Busker (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), who became a Group winner 2 in York last month, have done their part in recent weeks to remind customers that the hot September sale continues to deliver winners. Other notable graduates of this sale include Layfayette (Ire) (French Navy {GB}), Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}), Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {) Ire}) and Thunder Beauty (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}).
Simply put, there’s something for everyone over the next three days at Fairyhouse, a spot brought home by Gerry Burke of Gildawn Stud.
“We are delighted to be here and Tattersalls is a great company to work with. Whether it’s Somerville, here at the Fairyhouse or Book 1, 2 or 3, they give us the opportunity to sell our horses and we are always honored to be here. “
He added, “They work hard to attract customers. We were very busy and it was great to see so many people here. We’re excited to be back at Fairyhouse and I think there’s something for every type of buyer here this week. There’s great value to be had at this sale and the results are there for everyone to see. “
