Recently, history was made when Shirley Anderson-Jolag became Britain’s first female bloodstock auctioneer. Anderson-Jolag sold several lots at the Tattersalls December Sale. She has worked at Tattersalls for almost a decade.
This first was the result of many years of hard work and two years of preparation building up to this debut. Before taking on the bloodstock auction, Anderson-Jolag auctioneered at Rowley’s Fine Art and Antiques and many charity events, putting in many hours of lessons and practice.
Speaking about the opportunity, Anderson-Jolag told Racing Post: “There probably have been challenges [being a woman in the industry], but I think if you’re good at what you do, that will shine through. And I genuinely believe that it doesn’t matter whether you’re male or female or whatever your background is. In this industry, if you’re good and you show that you’re prepared to work hard, you’ll earn respect.”
Although Anderson-Jolag is the first female auctioneer in Britain, she is not the first ever. Stephanie Grentell auctioneered a decade ago at the Inglis Scone Yearling Sale in Australia.
We hope this is just the beginning, and we will see many more female auctioneers.
HQ Pro would like to congratulate Shirley on her first performance.