ELECTRIFYING START TO SALES SEASON AT FEBRUARY NATIONAL HUNT SALE

A busy, if chilly, day saw consistent trade all day and at the close of play the average of €8,635 and the median of €6,200 were improvements of 9% and 24% on 2014. The aggregate of €1,493,900 was also an increase of 48% on last years sale and was the highest turnover seen at the February Sale since the two day sale in 2008.

A head to head battle between Juliette Minton and Garrynacurra Stud resulted in the day’s top lot at €65,000, matching last year’s top price. The object of this year’s buying battle was a Rathbarry Stud-offered Presenting colt out of the Grade 1-placed Poliglote mare Reine Angevine (Lot 205).

"We are looking for top-class pedigrees," said successful purchaser Eamonn Maher, "as we are planning to re-consign here at the Derby Sale. We thought this was the best colt in the sale. We were underbidders earlier today on the two purchased by Aiden Murphy."

The two bought by Murphy included a Flemensfirth colt from Killinny House Stables (Lot 80), who cost the agent €55,000. The March-born colt is a own-brother to the Grade 2-placed On Raglan Road and from the family of the talented performers The Bajan Bandit and Therealbandit.

“He is a grand colt,” said Murphy, “and he will come back here as a three-year-old. Trade has been strong today and I think this colt would have made the same money in November.”

At the end of the February N.H Sale on Tuesday afternoon, Tattersalls Ireland Managing Director Roger Casey said

“After an outstanding sales season in 2014 and considering the strength of this year’s February catalogue we were confident of a strong renewal of the sale and the figures today easily surpassed our most optimistic expectations. Last year’s February NH Sale produced a 40% rise in turnover, a 27% rise in average and an 11% rise in median and this year’s renewal has again recorded significant gains across all key parameters. This year’s turnover of €1,493,900 is a record for a one day edition of the February Sale and is up 48% on last year’s sale, the average of €8,635 up 9% and the median of €6,200 increased by 24%. There were also 60 lots making €10,000 or more also, representing a 66% increase on last year. The large number of domestic buyers underlines the ongoing strength of the market coupled with the usual strong level of UK participation, contributed to the enormous depth to the trade and a remarkable clearance rate of 70%. The fierce demand for horses of all ages including mares and fillies is a clear indication of a market which continues to go from strength to strength and augurs well for the year ahead and our record breaking Derby Sale which will take place on the 24 – 26 June this year.”