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Monday's trade at Tattersalls Ireland suggested the market for National Hunt foals was on the way back up and the trend was confirmed on Tuesday in a session which returned a record turnover for a single day of this sale.
A clearance rate of 78% pushed the day's median price up to a record €25,000, 37% higher than for the corresponding session last year. The average price by 19% to €30,392, another record.
Three foals made over €100,000, the same as for this session last year, though today's top price of €115,000 was shy of last year's top three prices.
Tuesday's top price was achieved by one of only two Doctor Dino foals in the catalogue, this one from leading vendor John Dwan of Ballyreddin on behalf of successful breeder Louis Vambeck.
The colt is a half-brother to two Grade 3 winners, including Anzadam who made a sparkling winning debut over fences at Naas on Sunday for trainer Willie Mullins.
The buyers were Kevin and Anna Ross, acting on behalf of racehorse owner Chris Jones of Killeen Glebe.
Anna Ross reported: "Chris is currently on a plane at the moment to Bahrain [Ascending runs on Friday]. The pedigree is very current, it's a fair price for him, but he is a lovely colt.
"We all saw this foal on Sunday and we all liked him. Anzadam could be anything, and Doctor Dino speaks for himself. He just looks like he is going to be a racehorse, and he will be for resale. He is just a lovely horse with a lovely way about him, and a great mover."
Consignor John Dwan said: "It is a lovely, lovely pedigree, and this colt is by a top-class stallion. He was just a beautiful model of an individual. He has been busy all week and we are delighted with the result. Obviously, Anzadam ran particularly well last week and he could be anything over fences, please God he'll progress into a top-class chaser.
"Louis Vambeck does a fantastic job. He's got great pedigrees, and we work closely together from an early stage to get these foals to this sale. I'd like to thank my staff at home who all put in endless hours of hard work to get these foals here in such great condition. It is a big team effort – the staff at the sales do a fabulous job as well, the draft is always turned out impeccably."
Jukebox calls tune again
Ballyreddin was also the vendor of a €105,000 Jukebox Jury colt, bought by trainer Toby Bulgin on behalf of racehorse owner Jenny Martin.
The colt's dam is Grade 1 winner Gitane Du Berlais, winner of the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown in 2015 for Willie Mullins and Daryl Jacob. She was sold for €220,000 when her racing career ended and is now owned by Kenny Alexander.
The bidding for her Jukebox Jury foal opened at €50,000 and interest flew in from David Minton, Ian Ferguson and the eventual underbidders Jarlath Conway and trainer Ian Donoghue. That duo went to €100,000, but they shook their heads when Bulgin bid an extra €5,000,
"He has been bought for Jenny Martin as a racing prospect," said Bulgin. "He has been bought to keep another foal company and will go into training eventually with Dan Horsford, who trains all of Jenny's and her husband's horses.
"Jenny produces a short list of the mares' pedigrees she likes and I take a look at the physicals. Hopefully, we have picked a good one! He is just a gorgeous type. There's not going to be many more Jukebox Jurys, and he's doing very very well."
After two days of selling, the 16 Jukebox Jury foals to have sold have made an average of €51,000. Not far behind is Walk In The Park, whose 14 foals have sold for an average of €43,071.
Frisbys strike
Also making €105,000 on Tuesday was a Walk In The Park colt out of Chocca Mocha (by Midnight Legend). Bought by Richard Frisby, he is from the family of Grade 2 Elite Hurdle winner Chomba Womba.
"We did not expect to have to pay that much," said J.J. Frisby, adding "Midnight Legend is a great broodmare sire."
After two days, the Frisbys are the leading purchasers, having spent €349,000 on seven foals.
Breeder John Donovan said: "It's a bit of a surprise but I am absolutely delighted. It's all down to my wife Eurdora - she did a great job and the colt did so well. We bought the dam a few years ago and she has been lucky. She had a lovely Authorized last year that Joey Logan bought for €55,000.
"It is a real team effort. My farrier is top-class, James O'Leary, we have a girl at home, Daphne, and our vets. They are all brilliant at their job, but it is all dawn to Eudora. She produces them for the day. We only have the one here - but he was worth coming up with.
"It is the best price without a doubt that we have got for a foal. I am shocked. He is a beautiful horse and went to a good buyer. I hope he is lucky for them."
The sale concludes on Wednesday with another 200 foals and 12 broodmares.
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