Half-sister to ALTIOR is queen of the ring at the Derby Sale

Trade on the final day of the Derby Sale produced a robust set of statistics further complimented by a top lot of €300,000, the second highest price for a filly at the Derby Sale on record. Day 2 also produced the three highest prices for store horses this year. The aggregate concluded on €9,015,700, the median on €32,000 and the average on €40,980. The clearance rate was 70%.

The queen of the ring was undoubtably Lot 301, a Walk In The Park filly out of MONTE SOLARO. A half-sister to the 21-time winner ALTIOR with seven of his victories in Grade 1 company. Consigned by Mark Dreeling’s Coole House Farm on behalf of breeder Paddy Behan, bidding for this collector’s item commenced at €100,000 and it was eventually agent Aidan O’Ryan and trainer Gordon Elliott who secured the filly for €300,000.

Progeny of Walk In The Park saw strong demand throughout the sale, and this was the case for Lot 273, a gelding out of Maple Lady from the strong black type family of CANE BRAKE, JUDGE ROY BEAN, Bob Hall, PASS THE BALL and KILLER MILLER. Offered by Redpender Stud, the late May born gelding was knocked down for €195,000 to Gallagher Equine Ltd. and Russell MacNabb.

Earlier in the day, Castledillon Stud’s Lot 240, a gelding by Getaway out of the unraced dam La Scala Diva who is closely related to the consistent performer EGYPT MILL PRINCE and Run Simon Run was sold to Kevin Ross Bloodstock for €170,000.

The combination of Gemma, Andrew Brown and Joey Logan Bloodstock signed for the lovely son of Kayf Tara who is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner MINELLA TIMES. Sold by Glenwood Stud, the gelding was sold for €160,000.

Demand for well-bred fillies continued through the day. Lot 325, a Flemensfirth filly out of the super race mare OUR GIRL SALLEY and a half-sister to fellow Derby Sale graduate BLACK TEARS from Glen Stables was sold to Sue Magnier for €155,000. 

Following the conclusion of the Derby Sale this evening, Tattersalls Ireland CEO Matt Mitchell said:

"Having completed the two day 2020 Derby Sale, we share with the majority of our valued clients a sense of relief that the sale has been able to take place. We have placed emphasis on a substantial level of pre-planning to ensure that the registration process and the protocols were of the highest standard for all those present on the sales complex. We acknowledge with gratitude the very high compliance levels for the protocols. Reflecting the current cooperation between Tattersalls and Goffs, it was a pleasure to renew acquaintance with Andrew Nolan on our panel of auctioneers.

Overall trade has been remarkable, given the difficulties of Covid-19. Whilst the market is down, the quality is still very much in demand. In this exceptional year, it is appropriate to highlight part of the Derby Sale took place in Doncaster, with sales of £2,205,000 and an average of £64,853. The €300,000 achieved for the full sister to Altior reflects the demand for quality, and also rewards the vendor Paddy Behan for his belief in the Derby Sale.

Despite the backing of Brian Kavanagh, HRI and ITM whose efforts we acknowledge with thanks, the protocols proposed by Tattersalls Ireland and Goffs to allow purchasers to attend from outside Ireland did not succeed. By providing videos of each entry in the sale we sought to assist purchasers outside Ireland who were unable to attend, with approximately 19% of the total sale purchases being made via live internet bidding / from non Irish based purchasers.

We thank in particular our vendors, for their commitment and loyalty to the Derby Sale. We now look forward to the May Store Sale tomorrow, which starts at 11.30am."