A NEAR identical level of activity at head of the market ensured that the year at Tattersalls Ireland got off to a satisfactory start with the one-day February National Hunt Sale matching the heights of last year’s auction, although market selectivity was quite apparent throughout the day.
As was the case at the November National Hunt Sale, demand in the upper tiers of the market was good and varied and the number of lots making at least €30,000 improved by one to 14.
In addition, the presence of the quality dual-purpose runner Pakora at the end of the day ensured that the top price moved from €62,000 to €80,000.
However, the realignment and increased selectivity that was evident at the November National Hunt Sale was again apparent with 166 of the 297 horses offered finding buyers which meant that the clearance rate dropped by some eight points to 56%.
Overall, the turnover from this year’s larger catalogue came in at just over €1.9 million, which was a 2% progression on 12 months ago.
The €7,500 median equaled last year’s record figure, while the average of €11,516 was virtually identical to last year’s return of €11,480, which was also a record for this sale.
In a sale that was largely given over to yearlings, the demand for the better lots was good, but the decidedly selective nature of the market is to be noted.
Hopefully, this is not something that will become an increasingly notable trend at the major store sales which have been characterised by excellent clearance rates in recent years.
Doyle snaps up Pakora
WILLIE Mullins has offered some terrific broodmare prospects through this ring in the past and this time he extended his reach beyond the November Sale with Pakora.
Her €80,000 sale to Ross Doyle made her the highest priced February Sale top lot in seven years.
The six-year-old daughter of Gentlewave was twice placed at stakes level in France before transferring to Mullins who sent her out to win a listed novice hurdle in good style at Galway in the summer.
Thus, the grey made notable dual-purpose appeal and she is also an own-sister to an E P Taylor Stakes runner-up in Pagera.
Ross Doyle reported that he was acting for a flat breeder who is likely to send their purchase to a proven middle-distance sire.
Kayf Tara’s only son shines
THE only Kayf Tara yearling on offer fetched €62,000 after Katie Rudd came out the right side of a protracted battle with Joey Logan.
This colt, who will return for sale as a three-year-old, was sold by Harry and Lorna Fowler’s Rahinstown Stud and he is the first produce of the Kalanisi mare Molo who was bought for £27,000 at the end of a racing career that yielded three victories from six outings.
Molo is a half-sister to a pair of decent mares in the dual listed winner Banjaxed Girl and the Grade 2-placed La Marianne.
Even though he missed out on the Kayf Tara, Joey Logan accumulated several quality yearlings and his spending was headed by a well-related €60,000 Shantou colt from Burgage Stud.
Adrian Costello had to settle for the role of underbidder on this colt whose dam has the dual Grade 1 winner The Tullow Tank and Grand National hero Many Clouds among her siblings.
The Shantou was bought to return to the sales ring and so too was a €48,000 son of Walk In The Park who was knocked down to Logan.
The Walk In The Park colt is the first produce of the triple listed-winning mare Stephanie Frances.
WELL RELATED
Adrian Costello couldn’t quite secure the top-priced Shantou colt, but earlier in the day he picked up a €44,000 son of the Alleged horse offered from the superb nursery of Kenilworth House Stud. 
This colt, who is among a number of high-profile purchases by Park Farm in recent months, is out of an own-sister to the very smart staying chaser Theatre Guide.
Another good Shantou was an own-brother to Jimmy Two Times who cost Richard Rohan €34,000.
Meanwhile, a son of Doyen out of the talented racemare Pomme Tiepy, consigned by Cleaboy Stud & Coppice Farm, reached the €40,000 mark. The pedigree has enjoyed a notable boost on both sides of his pedigree in recent months.
Firstly, the colt’s sire Doyen is responsible for one of the most exciting young jumpers around in Battleoverdoyen, and Pomme Tiepy’s first runner, Mortal, chased home Delta Work in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas. This colt was snapped up by Knockbally Stables.
The top-priced yearling filly was a daughter of the ever popular Flemensfirth and she cost One For Arthur’s breeder, John Dwan, €42,000. Dwan’s purchase was consigned by Ballincurrig House Stud and she is the second produce of the King’s Theatre mare Morning Run who notched up a pair of Grade 3 victories during her time with Willie Mullins.
FIRST CROP
The catalogue contained one yearling from the first crop of the Beresford Stakes winner Ol’ Man River and this half-brother to the capable novice hurdler Milliner cost Aiden Murphy €35,000.
The agent confirmed that the Peter Nolan-consigned colt would return for sale as a three-year-old.
Mount Nelson’s credentials as a sire are already well established but the last few months have afforded the National Hunt fraternity a chance to buy members of his first Irish crop. The popularity of the Rock Of Gibraltar horse carried through to this sale with Kevin Ross giving €34,000 for a colt out of the five-time winner Galant Ferns.