MSL Mercedes-Benz Becomes Official Partner of the Derby Sale and €100,000 Sales Bumper Moves to Leopardstown Christmas Festival

Tattersalls Ireland is delighted to welcome MSL Mercedes-Benz as the official brand partner of the Derby Sale, marking an exciting new chapter for the premier National Hunt auction. This prestigious partnership with MSL Mercedes-Benz elevates the sale and introduces an exclusive incentive, where vendors consigning at the Derby Sale will have the chance to drive away in a brand-new Mercedes-Benz GLC.

The Tattersalls Ireland MSL Mercedes-Benz Sales Bumper, run for a minimum value of €100,000, will have a new position in the 2026 race programme. The valuable bumper is confined to horses catalogued and offered at the Tattersalls Ireland Store sales, and will now be run at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival on December 28th 2026. The winning vendor will be presented with a brand-new Mercedes-Benz GLC on the day.

The race is open to horses that have been catalogued and offered at the Derby Sale and July Store Sale, and the 2026 renewal, will for the first time, see three-year-olds sold 18 months previously as two-year-olds at the Derby Sale afforded the opportunity to participate in an Irish bumper. Tattersalls Ireland are committed to adapting to the changing market and believe offering the opportunity for forward three-year-olds to compete in such a valuable sales race offers a fantastic option for purchasers at our store sales, complimenting the newly introduced Academy Hurdle Race Series from HRI. The new date also allows graduates who progress through the point-to-point route to remain eligible, even after being sold on to new owners, making this the only sales bumper of its kind to offer such an opportunity.

The Tattersalls Ireland €100,000 Sales Bumper has been run in memory of George Mernagh, former CEO of Tattersalls Ireland, since 2012 and was designed to provide Store sale purchasers with a valuable prize to target and placed on a race programme that aligns to the quality emanating from the sale. The race has been won by the subsequent Grade 1 winners Brighterdaysahead and Kopek Des Bordes.

The Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale has long been recognised as the premier National Hunt sale in Ireland. A place in the Derby Sale catalogue is much sought after by Ireland’s breeders and consignors, and with places limited, the focus is on optimising the quality and attracting the leading owners, trainers and agents from across Ireland and the UK.

Commenting on the new commercial arrangement, Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said:

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome MSL Mercedes-Benz as the official brand partner of the Derby Sale. The Mercedes-Benz brand is renowned for class and sheer quality, and these attributes can be aligned to the Derby Sale. The Mercedes-Benz brand will now be visible across our Derby Sale promotion and becomes an extra incentive for vendors when it comes to sale choice.

“The Leopardstown Christmas Festival is a one of the highlights of the National Hunt programme in Ireland, and I’ve no doubt that vendors, owners and trainers will relish the prospect of being a part of a top-class race day. I’d also like to remember George Mernagh, whose name was previously honoured through the Sales Bumper. George was a driving force behind the Derby Sale and a hugely popular figure among staff and clients alike. His passion, vision, and warmth left a lasting impact on so many, and while the race now moves forward under a new identity, we remain committed to finding a meaningful way to continue honouring his legacy at Tattersalls Ireland.”

Gerard Lynch, Managing Director at MSL Motor Group Ltd added:

“At MSL Motor Group, we are proud to partner with Tattersalls Ireland, a company that represents the highest standards of quality and prestige in the National Hunt world. The Derby Sale is synonymous with excellence, producing top-class racehorses that go on to achieve great success on the track.

“Through this partnership, we look forward to adding a new level of prestige to a well-established sale with a rich history. We are also delighted to see the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland MLS Mercedes-Benz Sales Bumper take its place at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, a race that will undoubtedly continue to produce the stars of the future.”