A €70,000 colt by Robin Des Champs became the highest priced foal to come under the hammer this week as he emerged as the star turn of what was a strong day’s trade at the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale, which made sweeping gains in key areas.
The penultimate day of foals at the sale offered buyers a chance to snap up some very well-bred sons of Robin Des Champs and among these was the Hillview Stud-consigned session topper.
An own-brother to a winning pointer out of a half-sister to the high class Tullymurry Toff, this colt was bought by Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Ian Ferguson. At this sale last year Ferguson picked up the colt’s now two-year-old brother for €48,000 and the trainer’s other purchases here in recent years include Willie Mullins’ top class novice hurdler Yorkhill.
“We missed out on the other Robin Des Champs but we were pleased to get this colt,” said Ferguson after he outlasted Brendan Bashford. “He’s a lovely foal by a proven sire and he comes from a proper pedigree. I’ve bought him for Wilson Dennison and we’ll take him home along with the others that we’ve bought and bring him along.”
At €65,000 the second highest priced lot of the day was an especially well-related son of Martaline belonging to Kevin and Noel Heaney. Aiden Murphy had to settle for the role of underbidder as Michael Murphy of Longways Stables signed for the first produce of the Grade 1-winning French jumper Fleur d’Ainay.
“He’s a lovely colt with a beautiful pedigree and foals by Martaline are on everyone’s shopping list. He’ll come back to us now and he is for a client,” reported Murphy.
Earlier, Aiden Murphy enjoyed better fortune when he outlasted Dick Frisby for a €62,000 son of Flemensfirth consigned by Ennel Bloodstock. This colt is an own-brother to the Challow Hurdle scorer Captain Cutter, who Murphy picked up for €34,000 at this sale in 2007.
“He’s been bought for an existing client in the U.K. There’s not too much to say about him, he’s just a very good foal by a top sire,” commented Murphy.
The appeal of Flemensfirth’s stock was further emphasised when English buyer Len Walker forked €60,000 for a son of the Alleged horse. This colt, for whom Walker opened the bidding at €40,000, is out of a half-sister to Master Minded and her first foal (also by Flemensfirth) fetched €110,000 at this sale 12 months ago.
“I came here to buy a Kayf Tara but I couldn’t buy a horse yesterday and this foal is an absolutely marvelous mover,” said Walker. “He will go back to Ballincurrig, where I keep the horses, and he will be reoffered as a three-year-old.”
Prior to picking up the sale-topper Ian Ferguson tried hard for a son of Robin Des Champs out of a half-sister to the Champion Hurdle victor Binocular. However, Norman Williamson eventually succeeded in the battle for the Yellowford Farm offering when the price hit €60,000.
“He’s an outstanding individual out of a half-sister to a Champion Hurdle winner and I was delighted to get him. Hopefully he’ll be back here for sale in a few years' time,” declared Williamson.
Elsewhere, a son of the Derby winner Pour Moi will be reoffered as a three-year-old after going to Ciaran Conroy for €45,000. This colt was also consigned by Yellowford Farm and he comes from the immediate family of the high-class hurdler and excellent producer Spirit Leader.
Day 4
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2014 281 256 191 3,222,450 16,871 14,000
2015 275 243 196 2,749,500 14,028 11,000
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