A total of 13 horses sold for £100,000 or more at the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham Festival Sale on Thursday night.

Turnover at the sale increased by 107% to £3 million, the median of £120,000 increased by 32% and the average of £142,857 increased by 38%.

The highlight of the evening came when the five-year-old mare Maire Banrigh was bought by John Hales for £320,000.

By the deceased King's Theatre and consigned by Ballinapark Stables, the five-length debut maiden is now the most expensive point-to-pointer of her sex.

A couple of lots earlier, Denis Murphy's Ballyboy Stables consigned Tyrella maiden winner Palmers Hill and this son of Gold Well was sold to Kieran McManus for £310,000.

The third highest price of the evening (£260,000) was shared by Slate House and The Dellercheckout.

Slate House was a 10-length winner at Tattersalls Farm and lived up to his track reputation when sold by Wilson Dennison's Loughanmore Farm to Tom Malone.

Monbeg Stables is usually represented by brothers Donnchadh and Sean Doyle but today was Cormac's Doyle's day. He consigned Lismore maiden winner The Dellercheckout and the son of Getaway was sold to John Hales and Ryan Mahon for £260,000.

Richard Pugh, Director of Horses in Training Sales at Tattersalls Ireland, said: "Recent sales at Cheltenham have proved there is a ferocious appetite for young horses with form. Today's sale yet again has proven that demand at this world-renowned venue is fierce."

FULL SALE REPORT & ALL THE CHELTENHAM NEWS IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND