NO National Hunt auction would feel complete without a son or daughter of Walk In The Park making a big price. This week was no exception.

Playing second fiddle to the record-breaker on day one, Worthen Hall Stables’ three-year-old son of the Coolmore NH sire was coveted by many, but it was bloodstock agent Tom Malone, acting for Paul Nicholls, who saw off many challengers to get the half-brother to listed bumper winner Didtheyleaveuoutto. It was no surprise to learn that the gelding would join Nicholls as the dam, Pretty Puttens, is a half-sister to two Grade 1 winners, Denman and Silverburn, whom he trained.

Foal purchase

Willie Bryan offered the gelding for sale on behalf of a client, and he had also purchased him as a foal at Goffs for €40,000 from breeders Rita and Edmond Kent in Ballyhampshire Stud. Malone’s purchase had his sale prospects boosted with a bumper win at the end of March for his five-year-old full-brother, Are U Wise To That, trained by Jonjo O’Neill. He had earlier sold for £125,000 after placing in a point-to-point.

Mixed luck

Owner of Grade 1 winning chaser Waiting Patiently, Richard Collins also pinhooks stores, and he had mixed luck this week. It was good news however for his Walk In The Park three-year-old, also sourced at Goffs as a foal for €49,000. A son of hurdle winner Cove, by Westerner, Collins resold the gelding this time for £90,000 and he will join Matthew Flynn O’Connor’s Ballycrystal Stables.

The same vendor and buyer combination was in place for the sale of a three-year-old son of Flemensfirth out of the multiple listed hurdle winning mare Give It Time for £75,000, though there was little profit as Collins paid €62,000 for him as a foal. Another Flemensfirth sold by Collins made £72,000, bought by Ryan Mahon, and he looked value given his foal valuation of €85,000.