PETER NOLAN
Q: What keeps you coming back to the Derby Sale?
It is one of the first weeks that always goes into the calendar straight after Christmas. The Derby Sale gets better and better every year and has every type of horse.
Q: Tell us your most memorable Derby Sale moment.
Selling my first €160,000 Presenting horse in 2014, and backing it up with another €160,000 in 2015.
Q: Your predictions for this year’s Derby Sale?
In the industry we often ask each other if we have a horse to ring the bell, and this year we hope to have a few bell-ringers.
Q: What sires do you think will make an impact at the sale?
Of the established sires I would always consider Presenting to be a real Derby Sale horse. Of the new boys I am looking forward to seeing the best of Fame And Glory’s stock.
Q: Name the most successful racehorse you have sold at Tattersalls Ireland?
Two come to mind: John’s Spirit, who won a Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, and Flying Angel, who won a Grade 1 in Aintree this year for Nigel Twiston-Davies.
JOHN BLEAHEN,
LAKEFIELD FARM
Q: What keeps you coming back to the Derby Sale?
Results!
Q: Tell us your most memorable Derby Sale moment?
Apart from the last two great years, one of my most memorable moments was when I sold my first horse in the Derby Sale. I thought I was ‘made’ when the late David Pim accepted him for the sale. It was a big deal for me as it got me going in the business.
Q: What are your predictions for this year’s Derby Sale?
Judging by recent sales I believe the trade should be very strong. Many of the point-to-point fraternity had a good year and they have become the lifeblood of the bloodstock sales.
Q: What sires do you think will make an impact at the sale?
I am hoping the likes of Dylan Thomas, Martaline, Al Namix and Jeremy will be high on buyers’ lists. Other sires I like are Saddler Maker, Getaway, Milan and a young sire named Schiaparelli.
Q: Name the most successful racehorse you have sold at Tattersalls Ireland?
Of this season’s performers, I sold Sub Lieutenant at the Derby Sale to Gigginstown House Stud.
He has turned into a high-class chaser and he was only just touched off in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham this year. Another notable horse I have sold, associated with Tattersalls, is this year’s Gold Cup winner Sizing John.
RICHARD ASTON,
GOLDFORD STUD
Q: What keeps you coming back to the Derby Sale?
Wonderful atmosphere, wonderful setting, wonderful people, and wonderful trade. But the reality is it’s at the insistence of the bank manager!
Q: Tell us your most memorable Derby Sale moment?
Without question it was seven years ago when a Presenting gelding sold to Alan Potts for a record price of €320,000, and then, not long after that, we sold Empire Of Dirt to break the record again when selling for €325,000.
Q: What are your predictions for this year’s Derby Sale?
The trade for the two preceding store sales have been incredibly strong from top to bottom, and demand has been consistently solid.
The hope is that trade will stay in line – perception among the industry is that they keep their very best stock for the Derby Sale. True to say this is how we view it.
Q: What sires do you think will make an impact at the sale?
Those by proven sires like Flemensfirth, Presenting and Kayf Tara will be keenly fought over. Anything French is likely to have great appeal. One that might bubble under the surface is Shantou.
Q: Name the most successful racehorse you have sold at Tattersalls Ireland?
In terms of the best horses it would be Cue Card, Rule The World and Royal Vacation, a Grade 1 winner at Kempton last Christmas.
No More Heroes was a very very good horse who was sadly killed at Cheltenham last year.
We also sold the Yeats half-brother to Hurricane Fly named Who’s My Jockey. Owned by Paul and Clare Rooney he won his bumper at Market Rasen first time out in April.
DICK FRISBY,
GLENWOOD STUD
Q: What keeps you coming back to the Derby Sale?
It is one of the leading National Hunt sales in Europe, and brings in all the top buyers and agents year in, year out.
Q: Tell us your most memorable Derby Sale moment?
It was a few years back, bringing a horse to the Derby Sale that was purchased at Goresbridge and then getting a hefty profit.
Q: What are your predictions for this year’s Derby Sale?
From the strong trade at earlier store sales, I expect it will be a similar story at the Derby Sale.
Q: What sires do you think will make an impact at the sale?
Stock by Flemensfirth, Oscar, Gold Well, Presenting, Milan, Kayf Tara and Shantou will be sought after and will generate some of the top prices at the sale.
A few young sires that have caught my eye are Mahler, Soldier Of Fortune and Walk In The Park.
Q: Name the most successful racehorse you have sold at Tattersalls Ireland?
Finian’s Oscar and Don’t Touch It are two recent Grade 1 winners I sold at the Derby Sale.
KEN PARKHILL,
CASTLETOWN
QUARRY STUD
Q: What keeps you coming back to the Derby Sale?
I don’t like to change a winning team, and have a great relationship with Tattersalls. My Dad [Marshall] had it before me, so why change if it works.
Q: Tell us your most memorable Derby Sale moment?
The biggest price I got was at the Derby Sale and I topped the sale on a couple of occasions. I’ve seen many great sales for record prices in the ring, not necessarily ours but for other vendors.
Q: What are your predictions for this year’s Derby Sale?
It really is a super catalogue. The top of the market is safe and I hope that the sale from the middle down is strong.
Q: What sires do you think will make an impact at the sale?
Usual suspects like Presenting, Flemensfirth, Shantou and hopefully some of the younger guns. Maybe Doyen and Getaway will make an impact.
Q: Name the most successful racehorse you have sold at Tattersalls Ireland?
Going back a long way, Morley Street, Baydon Star, Grand National winner Corbiere and Champion Hurdle winner Granville Again. More recently there has been Puffin Billy, The Railway Man, Present Man, Monbeg Worldwide and Tycoon Princess.