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ROYAL Ascot, Cheltenham and even the Melbourne Cup were mentioned as potential targets for Ethical Diamond who topped the second day of the Tattersalls July Sale when bought for 320,000gns to join the Willie Mullins yard.
The three-year-old gelding by Awtaad has only raced three times but has the profile of a rapidly-improving horse and he certainly caught the imagination of buyers at Tattersalls, whether they were looking for a potential high-class stayer or an exciting National Hunt prospect.
Ethical Diamond was bred by William Kennedy, joint-owner of Stanley Lodge in Cashel, Co Tipperary. A late developer, the horse did not make the yearling sales and was instead put in training by Kennedy's wife Emma with their private trainer Michael O'Meara in Nenagh.
Following two promising outings at the Curragh and Roscommon, Ethical Diamond won a 12-furlong maiden at Limerick by a comfortable two lengths on June 24th. Despite receiving a number of offers privately, the Kennedys opted to give the horse a late entry for the July Sale through consignors Baroda Stud, a decision which proved inspired.
Kennedy and O'Meara, who teamed up for a double at Dundalk later in the afternoon with Bobby K and Roman Bull, were both ecstatic with the sales price.
"Loads of potential"
"Congratulations and the very best of luck to Mr Mullins and his team," Kennedy told The Irish Field. "They have bought a lovely horse with a great mind and loads of potential. I hope he is extremely lucky for them. He is a horse that can go forward under both codes.
"Many thanks to David Cox and the team at Baroda for doing a great job at Tatts. Finally, huge thanks and appreciation to the team at home who educated and trained Ethical Diamond to date.
"Under Michael’s guidance, Jamie Gonet, David Hickey and Paul Lake have done a terrific job with this horse. He is so relaxed due to their early mornings, hard work and patience.
"The Dundalk double was the icing on the cake today. The horses have run well all year and today it all came together. It is important to celebrate the good days and today is a great one for all involved."
O'Meara added: "Training this horse was plain sailing. He improved every day and was always a cool customer. He's so laid back he doesn't even know he's a racehorse."
Agents battle
Acting on behalf of Willie Mullins, Harold Kirk secured Ethical Diamond with one bid. It was enough to see off a number of agents including Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman, Hurworth Bloodstock’s Sam Haggas and French-based agent Alessandro Marconi.
Kirk said: "He is going to Willie Mullins for an existing client to be a dual-purpose horse. He will run over hurdles, and then head back on the flat and be a good stayer.
"He is a 'new' horse, he has improved every run, he is a gorgeous horse, he stays well and won very well last time, and travels well. Hopefully he will make up into a Cup horse on the flat - take us one day to Royal Ascot and one day to Cheltenham!
"He was the one I came for, I can go home now! I knew we'd have big opposition from Australia and I think that is what happened. Australia can't get them all, and Willie likes taking horses to Australia!"
Kirk continued: "He looks an athletic type, so I can't see any reason why he won't take to jumping, he is just a beautiful individual.
"We are trying to build up a string of Melbourne Cup horses as well as jumpers. Even though we had the Royal Ascot winner this year [Vauban], for a couple of years in Covid we missed buying a dual-purpose type of horse and there has been a bit of a gap for that sort of horse at Willie's."
Among the other major transactions on Wednesday, trainer Joseph O'Brien and owner Noel O'Callaghan sold the four-year-old Anthem National (by Dark Angel) for 210,000gns to trainer Philip Kirby. Qatar Racing and the Gosdens sold the three-year-old Masai Mara for 170,000gns to trainer John O'Shea.
The sale continues on Thursday and concludes on Friday.
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