THERE was exceptional trade at the Tattersalls Ireland Ascot May Sale today as a total of 29 lots surpassed £10,000 or more, 19 more than the corresponding sale last year. The aggregate rose by 43% to £866,200, the median grew from £2,000 to £3,100, a rise of 35%, and the average produced an increase of 44%, to £6,464. The clearance rate remained at a healthy 75%. The sale achieved the highest price for a National Hunt horse and a record turnover for a Horses in Training Sale at the Ascot venue.

It was a successful day of trade for Henrietta Knight’s West Lockinge Farm with the highlight coming from Lot 102, the five-time winner Knock House. The former Mick Channon-trained Old Vic gelding was secured by Donald McCain for £110,000. Strong trade continued for the West Lockinge Farm consignment as Cheltenham-based trainer Fergal O’Brien secured Lot 100, Viva Steve, a winner over hurdles and fences, for £67,000. Overall the West Lockinge Farm consignment successfully offered seven lots for £271,500, an average of £38,786.

Warden Hill (Lot 99) and Sgt Reckless (Lot 98) also proved attractive. Warden Hill, who has won a bumper, twice over hurdles and twice over fences, fetched £42,000 when knocked down to Rectory Stud. Sgt Reckless, who has seven victories to his name, was purchased by GDP Materna for £20,000.

Monbeg Stables and Donnchadh Doyle, who continue to have success at both Tattersalls Ireland’s Cheltenham and Ascot venues, sold Lot 140, four-year-old and recent point-to-point runner-up Reckless Behaviour, for £27,000, bought by GHT Bailey.

The Godolphin offering of Southern States (Lot 77) also proved popular and it was Lydia Richards Racing who secured the Medaglia d’Oro colt for £21,000. Lord Daresbury was the successful bidder on Lot 60, Jaunty Thor, a bumper and hurdles-placed Norse Dancer gelding from Closcedi Farm. He made £20,000.

Commenting on today’s sale at Ascot, Director of Horses in Training Richard Pugh said: "Tattersalls Ireland sales at Ascot continue to go from strength to strength and trade at today’s May Sale is further testament to this. The highlight without a doubt today is the sale of West Lockinge Farm’s Knock House to Donald McCain for £110,000 but the consistency of trade throughout the day in general is a major positive for the venue.

"The team at Tattersalls Ireland Ascot have made remarkable strides in developing Ascot as a reliable source for Horses in Training and we would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the vendors and purchasers who have supported this sale. We now look forward to growing and developing further sales at Ascot, starting with the Ascot Summer Sale on 12 July, which features a Select Horses in Training Session and which has already gathered a substantial entry."