A €52,000 half-brother to the Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Might Bite held sway on the second day of the Tattersalls Ireland August National Hunt Sale which couldn’t quite match last year’s results in several areas but, interestingly, did produce an improved clearance rate.
An aggregate of just over €1.36 million was virtually on a par with 2018 but the median of €5,350 represented a marginal decrease on last year and the average of €7,427 dropped by 17%.
Encouragingly though, a larger number of horses to come under the hammer actually resulted in the clearance rate progressing from 70 to 73%.
As expected, the day’s trade was headed by the Milan half-brother to the top-class Might Bite whose decorated career has taken in victories in the RSA Chase and the King George along with that brave second in last year’s Gold Cup.
This €21,000 foal purchase, who is also an own-brother to the dual Grade 1 winner Beat That, was sold by Abbeyleix Stud on behalf of Joan Condron and after a spirited exchange the winning bid of €52,000 was struck by Pat Flynn.
“You can’t beat pedigree and he’s got plenty of that. I loved this horse and I really didn’t want to leave him behind me,” reflected the trainer of Montelado and French Ballerina.
“We’ll see just see how he goes but he’s lovely and hopefully he’s the type of horse that might bring us back to Cheltenham. I’ve bought him on spec.”
Popular
Four lots later another very popular sort made his way into the ring and agent Matt Coleman had to go to €44,000 to secure the Ask half-brother to Ministerforsport.
This gelding was sold by Walshtown Stables for Jeremiah and Gerald O’Donovan and he is just the fourth produce of his dam who is already responsible for the aforementioned Grade 2 winner.
“He’s a big, scopey sort and a beautiful mover. He’s an old fashioned chasing type and will need some time but he’s a good sort. I’ve bought him to race in England. I love buying horses out of mares who have produced a good horse,” declared Coleman.
For much of the day centre stage was occupied by a well bred son of Court Cave who will race for Barry Connell after he was snapped up by Gerry Hogan for €45,000.
The three-year-old is a brother to the Cheltenham Festival winner Willoughby Court and was consigned by Boardsmill Stud on behalf of Jack Kidd.
“He’s been bought for Barry Connell who had a very nice Court Cave horse last season called Speaker Connolly who was placed in the Leopardstown Chase but was unfortunately killed a couple of runs later,” reflected Hogan. “He’s a grand, good moving horse and obviously he’s an own-brother to a very good horse.”
Gerry Griffin and Nicky Richards, who were underbidders on the Court Cave, didn’t leave empty handed as they secured a son of Rock Of Gibraltar for €30,000. This gelding is out of a winning half-sister to the Ribblesdale Stakes heroine Phantom Gold.
“He’s a very nice horse and to be honest I didn’t think that we’d be able to buy him for that money so we’re very pleased,” stated Griffin. “He’ll go to Nicky for an established client and hopefully he’s one to look forward to. I’d say he could be a nice type for bumpers next year.”
Day 2
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2019 303 252 184 1,366,600 7,427 5,350
2018 272 222 155 1,390,450 8,913 5,450