J.P. McManus struck for the top two lots at Thursday's Goffs Punchestown Sale, spending €500,000 and €320,000 to secure recent point-to-point winners trained by Denis Murphy and Jonathan Fogarty.

The perennial champion owner paid €500,000 for Walkonseas, a four-year-old gelding by Walk In The Park who won at Lisronagh in Co Tipperary last Sunday. Trained in Wexford by Denis Murphy, Walkonseas was an €85,000 store and won by four lengths last weekend.

After seeing McManus outbid Gordon Elliott for the top lot, Murphy said: “It is unbelievable. He never put a foot wrong over the last few days. Days like this are rare. I can only wish Mr McManus the very best with him in the future."

Earlier in the session, McManus paid €320,000 for Night League, a four-year-old Order Of St George gelding who won at Ballysteen in Co Limerick last Saturday for Wexford handler Jonathan Fogarty. The horse cost €55,000 as a store.

Denis Murphy’s Ballyboy Stables also sold the evening's top-priced filly, Ilians Way, another Lisronagh winner from last Sunday.

By Moises Has, the filly will join Dan Skelton who said: "She's lovely, I love the sire. She put up a lovely performance and she's a beautiful model. She's a hose we are going to give time to and let her be the best she can be. She's got owners already and they're very patient people. She's a nice big lady and I think she's got a massive future."

Gordon Elliott bought three horses - Star Affinity (€280,000) from Rob James, Chanson Du Jury (€200,000) from Jonathan Fogarty, and Santa Wave (€135,000) from Eamon Doyle.

Bloodstock agent Tom Malone spent €540,000 on four horses.

Of the 25 horses offered for sale after racing, 23 were sold at an average price of €186,957. Total spending reached €4.3 million.

Goffs CEO Henry Beeby said: “As the original festival sale, the Goffs Punchestown Sale always attracts maximum attention. Last year we scaled new heights with a rise of 40%, so to consolidate that this evening with a further 5% rise is most gratifying.

"A record-equalling top price of €500,000 contributed to a 10% rise in average, whilst the median was within €2,500 of last year’s record.

"As ever we are indebted to our vendors who have thrown their support behind the Punchestown Sale from the start, and it is testament to their professionalism that this sale continues to grow. We wish every purchaser the very best of luck, and doubtless we will celebrate the success of today’s graduates at future festivals.

"We now look forward to the Doncaster Spring Sale in a couple of weeks’ time and to the publication of the Arkle Sale catalogue next week."