The three-day November NH Sale ended on Wednesday with a low-key session but the average price achieved over the entire sale was up 5% at €21,023, a record for this sale. The median price held steady at €15,000 (equalling last year's record) and the clearance rate was up by three points to 69%.
Another positive to take from the week's trade was that, despite this year’s catalogue being almost 100 lots fewer than last year the sale still produced a 50% increase in the number of foals selling for €70,000 or more.
Top price on Wednesday was €80,000 paid by agent Ryan Mahon for a Walk In The Park filly foal from James Sheehan’s Clonmult Farm. Bred by Joey Logan, the filly is the first foal out of Miss Tapley, a winner over a mile at Bellewstown.
Mahon said: "She is a big scopey filly, good moving, with a lovely pedigree. She's bought for a client to go racing. For the minute she'll stay in Ireland, and she is not necessarily one for Dan [Skelton]. Plans are fluid at the minute. The competition for the real quality lots has been very tough."
Paul Cashman of Rathbary and Glenview Studs paid €70,000 for a filly by Glenview sire Jeu St Eloi. Consigned by John Dwan's Ballyreddin, she is the third foal out of Listed bumper and Grade 3 novice hurdle winner Purple Mountain (by Beat Hollow), from the family of Grade 1 winner Blackstairmountain.
"She has been bought for a client; he was very keen to buy this filly because of the pedigree," said Cashman. "She might be kept to race, could be sent to France, or she could be for resale. She is another good representative of the sire."
Dwan added: “She is a lovely filly, her sister sold very well here last year [Ryan Mahon, €48,000] and we are delighted. It has been a great week, and I can't thank everyone enough." Ballyreddin ended the sale as the leading consignors, selling 22 lots for €813,500.
The leading buyers this week were the father and son team of Richard and J.J. Frisby, spending a total of €417,000 on eight foals.
Their main acquisition on Wednesday was a €68,000 Authorized colt, offered by Alleygrove Bloodstock through Oliver Loughlin.
The colt is a half-brother to 2026 point-to-point winner Pelican Hill.
"We have a number of Authorized stock at home and we like them," said J.J. Frisby. "They are good sorts, and this is a fine foal with a good, active pedigree. We have bought from Oliver Loughlin before and been lucky; let's hope we are again. Trade has been very strong here this week."
Agent Jerry McGrath paid €60,000 for a daughter of Masked Marvel consigned by Clonmult Farm.
Already named Ma Belle Amie, the filly is a full-sister to Grade 3-placed chaser Kotmask and is closely related to the Grade 3 hurdle winner and Grade 1 placed Olympic Story (also by Masked Marvel).
"I don't know what the plan is," admitted McGrath. "I bought her half-brother by Saint Des Saints here two years ago and he is going to France. I only saw this filly this morning and fell in love with her. She might stay here or come to England; there are no plans. She is just a very smooth and slick filly. If she doesn't run, it wouldn't be the end of the world with that pedigree."
The Mastercraftsman mare Cast A Spell, listed placed over hurdles and in-foal to Maxios, topped the concluding National Hunt mares session. Sold by trainer Tom Hogan, she was purchased by Ringside for €30,000.
At the sale's end, Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins commented: "Despite a smaller catalogue we have virtually matched last year's turnover, achieved a record average, mirrored the median and had an improved clearance rate.
"Day two was an outstanding session, with turnover exceeding €5 million. The average reached a record €29,796, alongside a record median of €25,000, reflecting the phenomenal demand throughout the day.
"The smaller catalogue had generated some discussion beforehand, so it was particularly pleasing to see such a competitive market and our vendors rewarded for their confidence in the sale. The foals presented at Tattersalls Ireland attracted a strong buying bench from Ireland and the UK.
"Pinhookers were active throughout the week, providing further support for the market and reflecting confidence following this year’s store sales. The strength of demand, record figures and depth of the buying bench underlines the confidence in the National Hunt foal market which is heartening.
"Tattersalls Ireland is and always will be closely associated with the Irish National Hunt industry, and we are grateful to our breeders, consignors, and buyers for their continued support. We look forward to seeing how these foals develop and hope many will return to Tattersalls Ireland for the Derby Sale in June 2029. We will as always, continue to listen to vendors and purchasers as we prepare for next year’s sale."