The Grand Steeple Sale returned to the iconic setting of Auteuil Racecourse for the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris weekend.

Isaac Of York, runner-up in the Grade 2 Prix Amadou over hurdles at Auteuil, was subject to a lot of interest from buyers around the ring. The gavel finally fell at €500,000 in favour of Ryan Mahon, Dan Skelton (Dan Skelton Racing) and Manresa Agency. The four-year-old son of Ivanhowe is from the family of group winner Tryphaena.

“He’s obviously a very good horse,” said Dan Skelton. “He has a very nice profile for the big races. For any owner he is the ideal horse.

“We really like buying French horses, and when they’ve already run at a good level, it’s a good indicator. For now he’ll come back and have a break at home, and then we’ll find some nice races for him in the autumn.”

The four-year-old had been due to run in the Grade 1 Prix Alain du Breil - Gde Course de Haies de Printemps des Quatre Ans (Hurdle) for trainer Mathieu Pitart on Sunday.

Nils Holgerson also goes to England

A winner on his debut for Hugo Mérienne, Nils Holgerson (lot 9) was knocked down for €330,000 to Nathaniel Barnett. The three-year-old AQPS gelding by Ivanhowe from the family of dual Grade 1 winner Azertyuiop.

After signing the docket, Nathaniel Barnett said, “He’s a horse that I’ve really liked the look of for a while now. I was particularly impressed with his debut and I think he has a lot of potential. He’ll will go to England to be trained by Olly Murphy.”

He also signed the docket at €150,000 for Don Dandy (lot 8), trained by Marine Pineda, winner of his latest start over hurdles at Compiègne.

Runner-up over hurdles at Auteuil, the Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm trained Darby O’Gill (lot 15) made €260,000 in favour of JP Mcgrath Bloodstock & Toby Jones (TJ Bloodstock).

The four-year-old son of Walk In The Park is out of the excellent racemare Shattered Love, a dual Grade 1 winner and multiple graded scorer. The blue-blooded gelding hails from the family of Grade 1 winner Make A Stand and graded scorers Irish Cavalier, Make A Track and Keeper Hill.