ONLINE sales, by their nature, are a less emotional affair for onlookers than their traditional counterparts, but the Tattersalls Online July Sale would have tugged at the heartstrings of many. The 119-lot catalogue featured 10 horses trained by the legendary Kevin Prendergast, who passed away two weeks ago.
It was heartening to see one horse will remain in the Prendergast family, after the trainer’s nephew Patrick secured Battling Siki, an unraced three-year-old, for 4,600gns.
He was an appropriate selection as a grandson of Rebelline, who Kevin trained to win the Tattersalls Gold Cup in the colours of his loyal supporter and friend, Lady O’Reilly.
On how he felt watching his uncle’s horses sell, Patrick Prendergast said: “There was a real sense of finality to it. I wanted to support the sale.”
On what led him to choose the Churchill gelding, Prendergast replied: “Kevin had mentioned a few of the others but they sold very well. He was a great judge and, the little horse I bought, he gave 40,000 for as a yearling.
“He must have seen something in him so I thought I’d take a chance. Kevin had told me give him plenty of time, so I’ll give him a year maybe.”
Kevin Prendergast gave €29,000 for a Masar yearling last November and the colt resold on Thursday to Jimmy Fyffe for 58,000gns. An unraced two-year-old filly bred by the trainer, and by his Irish Guineas winner Awtaad, brought 56,000gns for Nick Bell on behalf of Windlestone.
Iowntheball, who Prendergast picked up for €10,000 and went on to win a Down Royal maiden, sold to Vladimir Vukojevic for 40,000gns, while a two-year-old Coulsty filly brought 30,000gns from Aideen Quinn. Glory To Be, who finished second in a Cork maiden last time out, will remain in Ireland after Michael Grassick secured the Cotai Glory filly for 25,000gns.
Boman strikes
All 10 formerly trained at Friarstown sold for an average price of 24,180gns and produced a median price of 20,000gns. They accounted for three of the top four lots, with the top spot filled by the Jim Bolger-trained Flawless Fusion, following her debut second at Leopardstown last month.
“She caught the eye at Leopardstown,” Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman said of his 140,000gns purchase. “Irish maidens are so competitive and she closed very well. When you are buying from Jim Bolger, you know these horses have not only been produced well but they have also been bred with meticulous care.
“It can be hard to find horses that are lightly raced that have exhibited a high level of ability. Ultimately, she looks to be good value when compared to the breeze up or yearling prices. She has already shown potential and hopefully she goes on for new connections.”
Speaking on behalf of her grandparents after the successful sale, Clare Manning said: “We are absolutely delighted. We always thought very highly of her and she was bought by a very good judge.
“After she ran well at Leopardstown, we saw the opportunity to enter her with Tattersalls Online. We knew if all went to plan, like it did today, that we could achieve a big result.”
The daughter of Dawn Approach is out of the Harzand mare French Fusion, who Manning raced with her grandparents to place twice at listed level. Jim Bolger knows her page well, having trained Banimpire to win five group races and finish second in two Group 1s.
Bolger also originally trained Melbourne Cup hero Twilight Payment, who he himself bred out of a half-sister to Banimpire.
Overall, 63% of 102 lots offered found a buyer. The average price achieved was 10,581gns, while the median came in at 4,100gns. Over 320 bidders registered for the sale from countries including Belgium, Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands, as well as from throughout the Gulf region.
The next sale to take place on the Tattersalls Online platform will take place on August 12th – 13th, with entries closing on Friday, August 1st.
All entries can be made through the Tattersalls Online website at www.tattersallsonline.com