Derby Sale dominates as the leading Store Sale at the Cheltenham Festival
Derby Sale graduates dominated what was a phenomenal week of racing at the Cheltenham Festival. The Derby Sale produced five winners, three of which were Grade 1 races, asserting itself as the leading Store Sale at the Cheltenham Festival yet again when having more than double the amount of winners than any other store sale.
Energumene romped home to win the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins and Tony Bloom. Claiming his fifth Grade 1 success, it was back-to-back victories for Energumene as he joins a small number of greats who have won the race twice.
Sold for €50,000 by Moanmore Stables to Tom Lacey at the Derby Sale in 2017.
Honeysuckle brought down the curtain on her fabulous racing career, winning the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle; a fourth Cheltenham Festival win in succession and her 13th Grade 1 victory. With her retirement confirmed, Tattersalls Ireland congratulate Kenny Alexander, Henry de Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore and all her connections for what was truly a remarkable story.
Sold for €9,500 by The Glanvilles Stud to Mark O’Hare at the Derby Sale in 2017.
Stay Away Fay powered home to victory in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett under Harry Cobden, giving Paul Nicholls his first success in the race.
Sold for £39,000 by Oaks Farm Stables to Hamish Macauley, Ballycrystal Stables and Mikey Doyle at the Derby Sale in 2020 before selling for £305,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale. And also sold at the November National Hunt Sale by Hillview Stud for €31,000.
Constitution Hill wrote himself into the history books by becoming the first horse in over 50 years to win back-to-back Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Champion Hurdle. He beat his rivals by an incredible nine lenghts when eased up by Nico de Boinville for trainer Nicky Henderson and owner Michael Buckley.
Sold for €16,500 by Throckmorton Court Stud on behalf of breeder to Warren Ewing and Barry Geraghty at the November National Hunt Sale in 2017.
Impervious tallied more Graded success for the Derby Sale when she stormed up the Cheltenham hill to win the Grade 2 Mares' Chase for owner JP McManus and trainer Colm Murphy.
Sold for €26,000 by Peel Bloodstock to Colm Murphy at the Derby Sale in 2019. She was also sold at the November National Hunt Sale by Creedons Lodge for €4,000.
Seddon ran out a comfortable winner of the Magners Plate Handicap Chase under Ben Harvey for owners Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate. He provided John McConnell with his first Cheltenham Festival winner.
Sold for €30,000 by Galbertstown Stud to Monbeg Stables at the Derby Sale in 2016.
Langer Dan was triumphant in the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle for owner Colm Donlon and trainer Dan Skelton.
Sold for €12,000 by Hugh O’ Connor to Ballinaroone Stud at the November National Hunt Sale in 2016.