THE National Hunt foal market has been through a tough few years, with both the ITBA and Simon Kerins of Tattersalls Ireland citing rising costs as the primary reason for a drop in foal numbers this year.
It is reflected in a reduced catalogue for the Tattersalls Ireland November NH Sale, with 781 lots catalogued across three days – down from four – on Monday, November 10th to Wednesday 12th.
After the slim-lined catalogue was revealed, Kerins told this publication: “We didn’t turn down any entries. I believe the decrease in the foal crop and rising input costs are the main reasons for the fall-off in numbers, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we are near the bottom.
“If the market is strong this year, I’d expect more mares will be covered next spring and the foal crop will rise again.”
A smaller offering gives hope for stronger demand this year, with the last renewal producing an average price of €16,414 and median of €11,000. Grade 2 performer Instit, in foal to Walk In The Park, topped trade at €125,000, while colt foals by No Risk At All and Saint des Saints also fetched six figures.
Sire power
No Risk At All is among the leading sires with progeny catalogued, along with the likes of Blue Bresil, Crystal Ocean, Diamond Boy, Doctor Dino, Gentlewave, Getaway, Goliath Du Berlais, Harzand, Jet Away, Jukebox Jury, Mahler, Maxios, Nathaniel, Nirvana Du Berlais, Order Of St George, Poet’s Word, Walk In The Park and Yeats.
Seventeen foals from Authorized’s first Irish crop feature, along with 50 from the first Glenview Stud crop of Jeu St Eloi. The first foals by Bolshoi Ballet, Hurricane Lane, Jigme, Kenway, Mac Swiney, Mojo Star, Pyledriver and Subjectivist also make their sales debut.
The list of consignors is equally comprehensive and includes vendors who sold recent Grade 1 winners at this very sale. Ashwood Stud sold Liverpool Hurdle victor Hiddenvalley Lake, The Beeches Stud sold Ballyburn, Ballintry Stud sold Hello Neighbour and Meadowlands Stud sold Hello Neighbour.
Other graduates to fly the flag at Grade 1 level in 2025 include Banbridge, The New Lion and Honesty Policy. Stumptown, who gained a historic victory in last month’s Velka Pardubicka, was bought by Willie Codd as a foal for just €4,200.
Perfect pinhooks
He produced a profit when resold as a three-year-old – the main goal for most of the sale’s buyers. Notable success stories from this year’s store sales include a Walk In The Park colt bought for €85,000 and resold for €285,000, Poet’s Word colt purchased for €39,000 and resold for €150,000, and a Maxios colt bought for €30,000 and resold for €125,000.
Castledillon Stud’s Timmy Hillman topped the buyers’ table last year, spending €287,000, followed by Richard Frisby at €238,000 and Rathbarry Stud at €202,000. Ballincurrig House Stud were crowned leading consignor after their 25 totalled €601,500, while Yellowford & Drumlin claimed runners-up honours.
This year’s sale opens with 47 yearlings and concludes with 30 mares, with foals making up the majority of the catalogue. The quality pedigrees of filly foals is particularly notable, with sisters to Feronily, Lecky Watson and Hello Neighbour among those catalogued, along with daughters of Grade 1 performers.
Pedigrees of note
Lot 3: Doctor Dino yearling colt is the first foal out of Grade 2 winner Annie Mc
Lot 11: Walk In The Park yearling is a full-brother to The Mighty Celt, a smart three-year-old hurdler in France, who has placed at Grade 2 level and twice at listed level
Lot 41: Yearling gelding by Fifty Stars is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner and Grade 1 runner-up Complete Unknown
Lot 109: Blue Bresil filly out of a listed winner who placed at Grade 1 level
Lot 160: Pyledriver half-brother to dual Grade 2 winner and Grade 1 performer Minella Drama
Lot 188: In Swoop half-sister to Grade 1 chaser The Big Breakaway and Grade 3 scorer Kildisart
Lot 189A: Wildcard entry is a filly by Jeu St Eloi, out of a mare who won a listed bumper and Grade 3 hurdle
Lot 214: Rich History half-brother to Grade 2 winner and Grade 1 performer Colcannon, out of a graded hurdler
Lot 228: Affinisea filly out of Grade 1-winning hurdler Skyace
Lot 246: Crystal Ocean half-sister to Grade 1 winner Feronily
Lot 263: Affinisea half-sister to Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase winner Lecky Watson
Lot 267: Blue Bresil filly out of Grade 1-winning hurdler Ashroe Diamond
Lot 273: Jukebox Jury filly out of Grade 2-winning chaser Ballyshannon Rose
Lot 314: Cracksman half-sister to multiple blacktype winner Luccia, who placed in two Grade 1 hurdles
Lot 318: Walk In The Park half-brother to two Grade 2 performers, out of a listed-winning mare
Lot 363: Jeu St Eloi half-sister to Grade 1 winners Wave Of The Sea and Hello Neighbour
Lot 372: Diamond Boy half-brother to Grade 1 performer Embittered and Grade 2 hurdler Precious Cargo
Lot 386: Jeu St Eloi colt out of the blacktype mare Lonesome Dove. Three of his siblings have reached six figures as three-year-olds
Lot 404: Hurricane Lane half-brother to Mozzies Sister, whose multiple blacktype placings include a third at Grade 1 level
Lot 416: Jeu St Eloi half-brother to Grade 1 runner-up Staffordshire Knot, out of a full-sister to The Tullow Tank
Lot 433: Walk In The Park colt out of three-time listed winner Posh Trish. His full-brother sold for €285,000 at this year’s Derby Sale
Lot 496: Santiago half-brother to two graded winners, including Grade 1 hurdler Martator. Out of a dual listed winner
Lot 504: Walk In The Park filly out of Grade 2 winner Violin Davis
Lot 514: Walk In The Park colt is a full-brother to listed winner and Grade 1 chaser Giovinco
Lot 521: Blue Bresil half-brother to two blacktype horses, including Grade 1 second King’s Socks
Lot 524: Blue Bresil filly out of Grade 2 winner and Grade 1 performer Alletrix
Lot 571: No Risk At All colt out of a full-sister to Grade 1 performer Irish Saint
Lot 606: Hurricane Lane half-sister to two blacktype horses, including the Grade 1-placed Vina Ardanza
Lot 622: Authorized half-brother to Grade 2 winner and Grade 1 performer Six Figures
Lot 635: Jukebox Jury colt out of Group 1 Prix du Cadran second Kicky Blue
Lot 704: Jeu St Eloi half-sister to Challow Novices’ Hurdle runner-up West Balboa
Lot 724: Maxios half-brother to Troytown Chase winner and Irish Grand National second Run Wild Fred
Lot 729: Order Of St George brother to The New One
Lot 743: Crystal Ocean half-brother to multiple Grade 3 winner Langer Dan
Lot 753: Midlands National heroine Hurricane Georgie also has multiple blacktype placings to her name
Lot 780: Gale Mahler was a listed winner and Grade 2-placed over hurdles