THE momentum built up over the previous two days continued into the penultimate foal session of the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale which continues to run well ahead of last year’s edition of the all-encompassing auction.
Tuesday’s session was always going to provide the centrepiece to the week but trade for the better foals remained unrelenting throughout today as evidenced by the final figures. An aggregate of almost €3.7 million was a 15 point progression on last year, the average grew by 20% to €20,186 and the median improved from €14,000 to €16,000.
The corresponding day in 2016 produced a sale-topping price of €70,000 but this mark was bettered on three occasions and the star of the day was a Milan half-brother to the ill-fated Fayonagh.
Given his half-sister’s exploits, which were headed by that memorable last-to-first charge at Cheltenham, this Galbertstown Stud-consigned colt was always going to be in some demand. He eventually went to Grange Stud’s Catherine Magnier whose bid of €78,000 was sufficient to see off Michael Tallon.
This price was closely matched by Kevin Ross and Ben Case when they forked out €75,000 for a colt by the in-demand Flemensfirth who was consigned by The Beeches Stud. This colt is out of a half-sister to the smart jumpers Diamond Sal and Ring The Boss.
“He’s by a fabulous sire and he’s out of a Kayf Tara mare, which is another positive,” stated Ross. “It’s a nice family that keeps producing good horses and he’s been bought on behalf of a client who will bring him back for sale as a three-year-old.”
Ross and Case made several other notable purchases which included a €60,000 Walk In The Park half-brother to the exciting Monalee who is slated to make his chasing debut at Punchestown this weekend.
LENGTHY DUEL
As the session came to a close, a son of Soldier Of Fortune sparked a lengthy duel between Timmy O’Byrne and Richard Rohan from which the former eventually emerged victorious at €72,000. The Mountain View Stud offering is a grandson of the listed-winning hurdler Afarka.
“He’s a lovely horse, a very good moving sort and he’s by a very good and proven sire. We’ll decide in due course whether he comes back for sale as a three-year-old,” commented O’Byrne.
Getaway’s offspring have been in some demand this week given their sire’s initial exploits and the Monsun horse was represented by a colt from Cleaboy Stud & Coppice Farm who cost Selwood Bloodstock’s James Read €65,000. The grey is out of a half-sister to J’y Vole.
“He’s been bought by Rachel (Evans) on behalf of Matt Booth who is in Gibraltar and has horses with Gordon Elliott and Paul Nicholls,” commented Read. “This horse is an amazing mover and he comes off a good farm.
"He’ll come back to Somerset now and it will be decided later on whether he is kept to race or is reoffered as a three-year-old.”
Aiden Murphy’s most expensive purchase of the day was a Soldier Of Fortune colt who made €55,000 and he also went to €50,000 to secure a son of Fame And Glory, related to the Kerry National winner White Star Line.
Day 4
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2017 269 240 183 3,694,100 20,186 16,000
2016 281 256 192 3,223,950 16,791 14,000