What they said

“Trade has been fantastic all week. We’ve been able to buy a few and have had to go that bit extra for the better foals but when you consider everything that has taken place this year it’s been great to see trade at the level it has been” – Norman Williamson, Oak Tree Farm

“It’s been extremely strong and I haven’t been able to buy as many foals as I would have liked.

“Sunday’s trade was exceptional and those top of the range foals were very hard to buy. I was underbidder on a couple but there were others that I couldn’t even get near” – Ian Ferguson

“Sunday’s trade was spectacular, there’s no other word for it. I would say that the good foals seem a bit scarcer than in previous years which is helping to push prices upwards but it’s just very strong and everyone you speak to is down on the number of foals they would usually buy.

“I don’t think it’s a great surprise though when you see how trade was at Goffs and even at the flat sales too. One thing I would say is that maybe we should look at introducing three-year-old bumpers.

“It would be a great help to younger sires and if the French can do it so well there’s no reason why we can’t” – Michael Moore, Ballincurrig House Stud

Selected Lots

Lot 166 (f) Doctor Dino ex Magical Miss

Vendor: Ballincurrig House Stud

Purchaser: KCS Bloodstock

Price: €30,000

There were just two foals on offer this week by the leading French sire Doctor Dino and the first of them to come under the hammer was this filly who was knocked down to Mick Carty who has previously pinhooked the likes of Altior.

This filly is the first produce of a Beat Hollow half-sister to the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle runner-up Mossley. Doctor Dino’s representatives in these parts include the likes of Le Bague Au Roi, Sceau Royal and Sharjah who have all done their bit to underline the Muhtathir horse’s prowess.

Lot 283 (c) Order Of St George ex Floral Spinner

Vendor: Ballyconnor House

Purchaser: Mags O’Toole/Killeen Glebe

Price: €58,000

The well received first crop of the top stayer Order Of St George included this smart colt who will be reoffered for sale as a three-year-old after Margaret O’Toole bought him on behalf of Chris Jones’ Killeen Glebe.

This grandson of Galileo is out of a four-time winning daughter of Alflora who numbers the Stayers Hurdle runner-up Sam Spinner amongst her siblings.

Lot 370 (c) Policy Maker ex China Grey

Vendor: Ballinaroone Stud

Purchaser: Redbridge Stables

Price: €46,000

The sale contained just two foals by Policy Maker who has made quite a splash in Ireland over the last few seasons courtesy of the leading Champion Chase contender Chacun Pour Soi.

The Sadler’s Wells horse supplied a particularly impressive type in the shape of this colt who is out of a Slickly half-sister to the classy English-based hurdler Olofi. This is also the immediate family of the smart Gumball.

Lot 392 (c) Elusive Pimpernel ex Def It Vic

Vendor: Rahinston Stud

Purchaser: Kieran Shields

Price: €49,000

This colt was a particularly impressive representative of the Irish National Stud resident Elusive Pimpernel who has a number of promising sorts to represent him over jumps this season, headed by the likes of Coeur Sublime, Weseekhimhere and Thedevilscoachman.

In addition, this grandson of Elusive Pimpernel could also be the recipient of a major update to his pedigree over the coming seasons as he is out of a half-sister to the unbeaten Grade 3 winner Shewearsitwell.

Lot 487 (c) Well Chosen ex Norwich Star

Vendor: Kedrah House Stud

Purchaser: Oak Tree Farm

Price: €50,000

The extremely capable Well Chosen was represented by just one foal in this year’s sale and the colt in question is a brother to one of the sire’s best representatives to date in last season’s Grand Annual winner Chosen Mate.

Ultimately, the battle for this colt was won by Norman Williamson who will reoffer his purchase as a three-year-old.