Excellent trade on Day Three of the November NH Sale
Selling stepped up a gear for day three of the Tattersalls Ireland November Sale with foals selling on the second day of the foal sale for a median of €18,000, an increase of 13 per cent, an average of €21,985, a rise of one per cent and an aggregate of €4,287,000 which witnessed an increase of four per cent. The clearance rate was 75 per cent which was comparable to 2017 figures.
Headlining the day was a colt by leading sire of the sale so far, Walk In The Park (Lot 733). A half-brother to the Gr.1 Drinmore Novice Chase winner Coney Island and from the further family of racing greats Rhinestone Cowboy and Wichita Lineman, the Yellowford Stud offering was sold to Aiden Murphy for €80,000.
Frank Motherway of Yellowford Farm reflected on a successful sale; "We had a nice consignment with our best foals reserved for this evening. We are delighted with the prices we got for our two Walk In The Park colts. We didn't expect that, we are really chuffed.
"There was a great atmosphere in the ring which must be encouraging for the breeders with better quality mares for next year's foaling and breeding season.
Murphy was also purchaser of the second highest purchase of the day, a May-born Walk In The Park colt from Woodhouse Stud also sold for €72,000 (Lot 562).
"He is a great walking foal with a good pedigree," said Murphy. "He will be back for resale as a three-year-old." Of the sire, Murphy added: "I haven't bought many by him yet, but he is a high-class stallion and has done well from lesser books."
€70,000 secured the Rahinston Stud consigned Saint des Saints colt (Lot 639). An own brother to Gr.1 placed Burrows Saint, he was sold to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock and commenting on the purchase, agent Matt Coleman said; "He's been bought to race for Clive Boultbee-Brooks. I thought he was the best foal today, a very good-looking and athletic Saint des Saints whose full brother is a smart horse for Willie Mullins. The sire continues to produce top class performers like Saint Calvados and Djakadam."
Sarah Faulks from Yeo Barton Stud, who sold the Saint des Saints colt also reacted to today's sale; "We haven't sold foals at Tattersalls Ireland since 2012 where we got €50,000 for a Presenting colt and after the very good store sales earlier this year, we wanted to send some foals to Fairyhouse again. The three foals we had here today realised €125,000 and we are thrilled with the results, which surpassed our expectations; I want to thank everyone for making it happen."
Theatre Girl was a very useful racemare, winning on three occasions and boasting multiple black-type performances. To date, her progeny has produced winners and black-type results and this was noted by Dick Frisby whose determined bidding secured the colt by Martaline from Goldford Stud for €70,000 (Lot 725).
Commenting on the purchase, JJ Friby, Dick's son said;
"He was the pick of the sale. He is by a great stallion, a top-class broodmare and complemented that with a great walk. We couldn't let him go. He will return as a three-year-old to the Derby Sale."
Ben Case standing with Kevin and Anna Ross claimed the final bid and secured Lot 731, the Kenilworth House Stud consigned son of Shantou for €70,000. The colt is out of a daughter to the multiple Graded winner Bilboa.
Anna Ross, who was delighted with the purchase, said; "He was the individual of the sale. He is by a top sire and from a great pedigree. He is for a UK client and will be for resale as a three-year-old."
The November NH Sale continues tomorrow, Wednesday 14 November at 10am.