Clarence House 1-2 for Derby Sale Graduates

Derby Sale graduate Jonbon confirmed his place as the leading two-mile chaser this season with an authoritative display in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.  

The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old dictated terms from the front, and produced a performance that indicated he is the one to beat in the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.

Fellow Derby Sale graduate, six-time Grade 1 winner Energumene produced a brave display in second, but it was Jonbon who claimed the weekend feature as he stretched his unbeaten run to five races.

It was a 17th career win, and a ninth at Grade 1 level for Jonbon, who was purchased from Church View Stables by Paul Holden and Michael Shefflin for €140,000.

Derby Sale graduate Appreciate It showed that he still retains a high level of ability when winning the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles. 

The eleven-year-old was an exciting talent in his younger years, notching up three Grade 1 wins as a novice hurdler, and Sunday’s win indicated that there could still be valuable prizes to be won with the Michael Masterson-owned gelding.

He was purchased from Dermot Costello’s Sladoo Farm by Pat Doyle’s Suirview Stables. He is also a graduate of the November National Hunt Sale where he was purchased by Apple Tree Farm from Charel Park Stud.

Another Store sale graduate to enjoy graded success was the Dan Skelton-trained Take No Chances who landed the Grade 2 Mares' Hurdle at Ascot. The seven-year-old was purchased in 2021 from Glen Stables by Denis Murphy’s Ballyboy Stables.

It was a fifth career win for Take No Chances who is likely to have the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham as her next target.

Winter Sale graduate Dedicated Hero continues his sharp ascent through the hurdling ranks, and produced a career best effort to win the Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock.

The six-year-old was sold as a yearling in January 2020 by Glen Stables to Tom Keating, and was adding to his two bumper and maiden hurdle wins from last year.

Nominations for the 2025 Derby Sale are currently being taken, and inspections will commence early next month for Ireland’s Premier Store Sale.