Tattersalls
Tattersalls is the world’s oldest bloodstock auctioneers, established by Richard Tattersalls in 1766 at Hyde Park Corner, in what was then the outskirts of London. Tattersalls remained a family business until Somerville Tattersalls’ death in 1942, when it was passed to his partners.
In 1965, under the guidance of its then chairman, Ken Watt, the company moved from its Knightsbridge base to Flat racing’s headquarters, Newmarket, where it has occupied Park Paddocks ever since. A purpose-built sale ring was completed, with the complex also incorporating several hundred stables, offices and elegant dining rooms.
Today, Tattersalls is Europe’s largest bloodstock auctioneers, selling 10,000 horses a year to buyers from over 50 countries. The horses are still priced in guineas (1 guinea = £1.05) in accordance with horseracing tradition.
In 2006, Tattersalls’ annual turnover topped 200 million guineas for the first time, with 233 million guineas worth of bloodstock sold.
By 2017, annual turnover had grown to over 300 million guineas, with a record 331 million guineas worth of bloodstock sold. That year’s total was boosted by the memorable sale of Group 1 winner Marsha, who was purchased for a European record of 6,000,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale.
Tattersalls continues to record world-leading results year in, year out. At the October Yearling Sale Book 1 in 2020 a pair of yearling fillies set the auction ring alight when becoming the two highest priced yearling fillies to be sold in the world that year.
Tattersalls LtdTerrace House
125 High Street
Newmarket
Suffolk
CB8 9BT
+44 (0) 1638 665931