A relatively low key day’s trade on Thursday was headed by a €54,000 daughter of Soldier Of Fortune as the Tattersalls Ireland August National Hunt Sale began its two-day run.
In keeping with the current trends the final figures for the opening session of the sale couldn’t match those from last year although how relevant comparisons with the market of 12 months ago are is questionable given the current climate.
Interestingly the day’s clearance rate of 69% matched that of 2019 and the median witnessed only a very slight decrease as it went from €6,200 to €6,000. The aggregate of just over €1 million dropped by 44%, although this was from 83 fewer horses offered, while the average fell from €10,443 to €8,550 which represented a drop of 18%. In the context of what is taking place in the wider world, and given where this sale found itself positioned this year, the final figures for the day represent a respectable day’s trade.
SOLDIER'S STAR
Easily the star of the show was the €54,000 daughter of Soldier Of Fortune who was sold by Michael Browne’s Mocklershill Stables and was bought by Bobby O’Ryan on behalf of his son Aidan. The filly is a half-sister to six winners and is a granddaughter of the Moyglare Stakes second Heed My Warning.
“She’s a gorgeous filly and I’ve bought her on behalf of Mouse (Aidan O’Ryan) and a client of his and she will go into training with Gordon Elliott,” said O’Ryan. “Mouse couldn’t be here today as he was in Newmarket during the week but she’s a lovely filly and hopefully she will have a good future ahead of her.”
BOARDSMILL CONSIGNMENT
Much later in the day Kevin Ross forked out €34,000 for a son of Kalanisi from Boardsmill Stud where the sire resides. This well-bred gelding is out of listed-winning hurdler Silver Charmer and her progeny are headed by the smart Secret Investor who has won at Grade 2 level over both hurdles and fences.
“He’s a good, solid horse from a very nice and current family and I’ve bought him for Imperial Racing. They’ve had plenty of luck with the sire already as their Cheltenham Festival winner from earlier this year, Imperial Aura, is by Kalanisi,” reported Ross.
The final lot on offer today was one of the best bred horses in the sale as the Boardsmill Stud-consigned son of Kalanisi is an own-brother to the ill-fated Willoughby Court who won what is now the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham several seasons ago. This three-year-old’s position as the end of the sale did nothing to diminish his appeal as he cost Ray Loughnane €37,000. Loughnane owns the very useful chaser Snugsborough Benny and he will put his purchase into training with Shane Broderick.
POINTING PLAN
A career in the point-to-point field is the initial plan for a son of Milan from Glen Stables who cost William James Hunter €29,000. The gelding is out of a half-sister to the very smart Carrigmartin.
“He’s going to go into training with George Stewart with a view to starting out in point-to-points next year. We felt that he was one of the best horses here today,” commented Hunter.
Meanwhile a career across the Irish Sea is the plan for a son of Martaline who was knocked down to Gerry Hogan at €27,000. This grey is a half-brother to black type winning jumpers in France and Italy and he hails from the immediate family of the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam.
“He’s been bought to go into training with Emma Lavelle. He’s a nice, good moving horse from a very successful family,” declared Hogan.
The sales concludes with Part 2 on Friday.
COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR PART 1
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE MEDIAN
2020 237 178 123 €1,051,600 €8,550 €6,000
2019 304 261 179 €1,864,650 €10,417 €6,200
2018 270 220 157 €2,011,600 €12,813 €7,500
READ RYAN McELLIGOTT'S FULL SALE REPORT & MARKET COMMENT IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND