Derby Sale graduates land Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle at Dublin Racing Festival
It was a superb weekend of racing at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown and it was fantastic to see racing fans return to the track to witness some of the best NH horses put in extraordinary performances. The weekend was highlighted by four Derby Sale winners including the Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup winner Conflated and the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle.
Honeysuckle flew the flag for the Derby Sale yet again when winning her third Irish Champion Hurdle for Henry De Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore & Kenneth Alexander. Honeysuckle takes her unbeaten record to 14 including 10 Grade 1 wins.
Honeysuckle was sold for €9,500 by The Glanvilles Stud to Mark O’Hare at the Derby Sale.
Conflated bolted up in the Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup for Gordon Elliott, Davy Russel & Gigginstown House Stud.
Conflated was sold for €92,000 by Glenvale Stud to Henry De Bromhead at the Derby Sale. He was also sold at November NH Sale for €46,000 by Yellowford Farm to Brendan Bashford.
Minella Cocooner made all to win in the opening Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novices' Hurdle under Danny Mullins for Willie Mullins & owner David Bobbett.
Minella Cocooner was sold for €56,000 by Peter Nolan Bloodstock to Kevin Ross Bloodstock at the November NH Sale.
Birchdale landed the Grade A Handicap Chase for Enda Bolger, Mark McDonagh and JP McManus.
Birchdale was sold for €14,000 by Marston Stud to Hill Farm at the November NH Sale.
Sir Gerhard romped home to win the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle for Willie Mullins, Paul Townend and Cheveley Park Stud.
Sir Gerhard was sold for £400,000 by Ellmarie Holden’s Coolmeen Stables to Gordon Elliott at the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale.
Call Me Lyreen gave the Lyreen Syndicate an exciting win in the Grade B Liffey Handicap Hurdle under Davy Russell for trainer Gordon Elliott.
Call Me Lyreen was sold for €34,000 by Boardsmill Stud to Aidan O’Ryan & Gordon Elliott at the Derby Sale.
Lily Du Berlais battled home and was first to the post in an incredible finish in the finale at the Dublin Racing Festival. She landed the Grade 2 Mares Bumper for Simon & Ben Crawford for owners Simon Munir & Isaac Souede.
Lily Du Berlais was sold for €25,000 by Mr J Lightfoot from Mill House Stud at the Derby Sale.