Average and Median Rise at Tattersalls Ascot Dec. Sale

The Dec. 6 Tattersalls Ascot December Sale, just the second auction held at the Berkshire venue since December 2019, was dominated by horses in and out of training, with top-lot honors going to Celtic Art , hammered down to Mel Smith, on behalf of Tom Malone, for £39,000 ($51,598).

The 4-year-old, consigned as Lot 36 by Paul and Ollie Cole's Whatcombe Stables, boasted a BHA rating of 86 and, while a winner of only one of his 15 starts, brought a consistent profile into the ring, his CV including a second in 2019 in the Prix Isonomy at Deauville, while he also placed third in the Ladbrokes March Stakes (G3) at Goodwood in 2020. 

Smith revealed that the son of Mastercraftsman  would be on his way to the Somerset yard of Jeremy Scott.

"He's a really big, strong horse with plenty of class," said Smith, who had her card marked by Alex Cole, racing manager to the gelding's now-former owners Jim and Fitri Hay. "Jumping is the plan but he might end up dual-purpose."

Celtic Art posted his sole success in a Goodwood maiden at two but had run a couple of decent races the last twice, finishing runner-up at Newmarket and third at Newcastle on his all-weather debut in October.

Sen Ding, a gelded 2-year-old son of sire sensation Mehmas , consigned as Lot 38 by Castledillon Stud, carried some placed form for the Ger Lyons stable into the ring, including when beaten a neck into third in a Curragh maiden in July, and was knocked down to Stuart Williams for £26,000 ($34,399).

"He looks a nice type for the all-weather and ran a couple of nice races in Ireland," reasoned the Newmarket trainer. "He'll be out again soon and doesn't look bad value." 

The first to make any sort of splash on Monday was dual winner Caribou, a wildcard entry consigned by Denis Coakley's Keeper's Stables who went the way of agent Ric Riccio for £20,000 ($26,460).

The 3-year-old gelded son of Adaay  is joining Newport-based trainer Robert Stephens.

The buyer said: "He's a dual-purpose horse potentially. We see him as one for staying races on the all-weather, then potentially a juvenile hurdler. Rob has a good strike-rate on the flat and he is trying to improve his flat string."

The in-form yard of Olly Murphy offered 5-year-old gelding Salley Gardens, a son of Yeats  who stood out somewhat on the basis of his career being on an upward trajectory. He has won his last two starts, at Huntingdon and Fakenham, but was bought in at £20,000 ($26,460).   

A cold, rainy day would not have helped trade, and the aggregate came in at £277,100 ($366,614) for 50 lots sold out of 68 offered, at a clearance rate of 74%. The average was £5,542 ($7,332), up 23% on 2019, the last time the sale took place, while the median of £2,450 ($3,241) was up 14%.