Positive start to the November National Hunt Sale

The flagship six-day Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale began today with a positive session of National Hunt-bred yearlings offered and produced a 60 per cent increase in the median price and 21 per cent growth in the average price as compared to 2021’s opening session.

Today’s sale was topped by a Blue Bresil (Lot 62) gelding offered by Mill House Stud who sold for €50,000. He boasts a top-class pedigree being out of a winning Kayf Tara mare and a grand-son of the Mildmay Of Flete (Gr3) winner Liberthine, a half-sister to the 15-time winner and Cheltenham Gold Cup (Gr1) hero Long Run. 

Consignor David Minton said of the March-born yearling: “He is a lovely horse and by the right sire, which was important. He was bred by Robert Waley-Cohen, who is cutting back on numbers now that his son Sam has finished riding.

“There is plenty to run from this family, I think it was a good buy and it is a good start to Mill House’s draft – we have four foals catalogued later this week.”

The shrewd buyer was Michael Murphy of Redbridge Stables.

Minton was double-handed through the session – he was also busy as a purchaser and Highflyer Bloodstock ended the day as leading buyer with five yearlings bought.

The second top price of €40,000 was given by Ian Ferguson for the Allenstown Stables-offered son of Solider Of Fortune (Lot 28). The March-born colt is a half-brother to the Grade 1 winner Foxy Jacks (Fame And Glory), who was successful in the valuable Guinness Handicap Chase at Punchestown.

Soldier of Fortune (IRE) / Benefit Ball (IRE) 2021 B.C. (IRE)

Pinhook buyer Timmy Hillman has already started his week’s buying mission purchasing two lots today for €37,000 apiece – a gelding by Poet’s Word from Loughview Stud (Lot 93) and a Gentlewave gelding out of the Listed runner-up Santa Adelia (Smadoun). He was another sold by Mill House Stud on behalf of the Waley-Cohen family.

The November National Hunt Sale resumes tomorrow at 10am with its first session of National Hunt-bred foals due through the ring.