Superb weekend for Tattersalls Ireland graduates
It was a weekend to remember for Tattersalls Ireland both in Great Britain and Ireland with victories on the highest stage. No fewer than 22 graduates entered the winner's enclosure with the most notable successes coming in the prominent races on the cards; the Hennessy Gold Cup, the Grade 2 Worcester Novices' Chase, the Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle and the Troytown Chase.
We're all in a Tizz over Colin's Tattersalls Ireland Gold Cup Contenders
After Derby Sale graduate CUE CARD's glistening performance in theGrade 1 Betfair Chase which firmly scripted him into Gold Cupcontention, more Tattersalls Ireland graduates from the inform stable of Venn Farm have caused a head-scratching predicament that any trainer would relish.
Probably the most talked about, and certainly the most exciting Novice Chaser in recent years, August National Hunt Sale graduate THISTLECRACK took his chasing career one step further. Remaining unbeaten over the larger obstacles and an eighth consecutive win in the bag, the eight-year-old conquered the Grade 2 Worcester Novice Chase and in doing so, clocked a time just three seconds short of the course record in just a canter.
Owner's Heather and John Snook certainly have an exciting horse on their hands. It was John Snook who purchased the son of Kayf Tara at the 2011 August National Hunt Sale from Derrymore House for €43,000. He originally missed his date with the Derby Sale six-weeks previous. Prior to that, John McDonald of Derrymore House picked upTHISTLECRACK as a foal when consigned by his breeder RF and SD Knipe's Cobhall Court Stud at the 2008 November National Hunt Salefor €32,000.
The success didn't stop there for the Tizzard's at Newbury. Favourite going into the race and the winner of the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree back in April, NATIVE RIVER certainly justified his prominent pre-race position. Cruising at momentous pace throughout the race and jumping foot perfect showing stamina and determination, Brocade Racing's son of Indian River powered clear in the final stages to easily win the famous Grade 3 Hennessy Gold Cup Chase - giving Tizzard a third potential Gold Cup player.
NATIVE RIVER only passed through the ring at public auction once - at the 2010 November National Hunt Sale. Here he was purchased by John Dineen from his breeder Fred Mackey for a mere €6,000.
Derby Sale graduates put the icing on the cake for Gordon Elliott's six-timer
It was a memorable day at Navan yesterday for team Elliott and the man at the helm, Gordon; a 41,276-1 six-timer with the two feature races on the card, both won by Derby Sale graduates.
DEATH DUTY was stepping up in class and did not disappoint. A winner of two bumpers and striking on his first time of asking over hurdles, the impressive Shantou gelding denied the field any chance of victory when winning the Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle by seven and a half lengths. Elliott is bullish about the Gigginstown House Stud owned gelding and is now eyeing up the Albert Bartlett as a possible target for the future.
A 2014 Derby Sale graduate, DEATH DUTY was knocked down to Dessie Hughes when sold by breeder Geoffrey Thompson's Morning Star Stud for €145,000.
The Gigginstown-Elliott combination teamed up once again to land the feature contest at Navan, the Troytown Handicap Chase. EMPIRE OF DIRT came to the fore of a 25 runner field, 11 of which were saddled by the winning trainer. The Westerner gelding gave an impressive display to land this big contest which was his first run back since hisCheltenham Festival success under the care of former trainer Colm Murphy. On the back of this classy performance, EMPIRE OF DIRT may now be considered a Grade 1 contender but longer plans see the Grand National as a possible target.
EMPIRE OF DIRT was sold on two occasions at Tattersalls Ireland. Initially as a foal at the 2007 November National Hunt Sale when sold by Inchiquin Stud for €65,000 to Goldford Stud. As a three-year-old,EMPIRE OF DIRT made the headlines at the 2010 Derby Sale. Top priced lot of the sale, he was knocked down to Bobby O'Ryan when offered by Goldford Stud for €325,000 - making him the third highestDerby Sale lot sold on record.
Three other Tattersalls Ireland graduates contributed to Gordon Elliott's memorable six-timer; Brelade (sold for €50,000 at the 2012 November National Hunt Sale), Bull Ride (sold for €46,000 at the 2014 Derby Sale) and Three Swallowsnick (sold at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival Sale for £110,000).