Robust Trade at the August NH Sale
The strong trade seen on Day 1 of the August NH Sale 2017 was maintained throughout Day 2 resulting in impressive increases and with an aggregate of €3,768,300, the best achieved by the sale in its two-day format.
Comparing the statistics with 2016 showed a 30% improvement in the median to €6,500, a rise of 19% in the average to €9,839, while the aggregate grew by 25%.
The clearance rate remained above 70% throughout the two days, while 22 lots sold for €30,000 or more compared with 17 in 2016.
It was a two-way tie for Day 2's top price of €42,000 between Lot 434, a son of Vinnie Roe bought by Bryan Murphy and Lot 550, a Presenting gelding purchased by bloodstock agent Gerry Griffin, acting for trainer Nicky Richards.
Katie Rudd's Bushertown consigned the Vinnie Roe three-year-old, who is a full-brother to the dual Grade 2-placed Royal Caviar and from the family of the Grade 3 chaser Shivermetimber.
"He's a gorgeous horse, he was the only horse I really wanted and I've waited for him," said successful buyer Murphy. "He is very athletic with great conformation and he'll be prepared for a bumper in the spring. He adds to those I bought at the Derby Sale and I've a nice bunch of young horses."
The son of Presenting, sold by Glen Stables, is the first foal out of the winning mare E Mac, an Old Vic half-sister to Blue Buttons, a Listed-winning hurdling mare.
"He's a gorgeous horse, he has a pedigree, he is a real Derby Sale horse," said Griffin. "Like the others he is for Nicky Richards, I am not sure for which owner - whoever has him will be a lucky man, and I am sure it won't be difficult to find someone for him."
A daughter of Notnowcato (Lot 517) purchased by Tom Malone for €33,000 joined Day 1's top filly by Fame And Glory (Lot 257) as the best-priced fillies sold over the two days.
"She is for Paul Nicholls," said Malone. "Paul has Old Guard by the sire and he is a three-time Cheltenham winner, Grade 1 placed and rated 150. She is a fine filly."
Sold by Ridge Manor Stud, she is the first foal out of Daghashah (Authorized), a half-sister to the Flat performers Mot Juste (Mtoto), who was second in the Irish Oaks (G1), and to Parasol (Halling), a Listed winner and Group 3 placed. She is out of Bunting, third in the Oaks D'Italia (G3).
At the conclusion of a superb renewal of the August NH Sale, Tattersalls Ireland Managing Director Roger Casey commented;
"Following on from the fireworks witnessed at the record breaking Derby Sale just a few weeks ago, the 2017 renewal of the August NH Sale was also expected to be fiercely competitive and the robust trade observed over the last two days has generated a considerable rise in the median of 30% and increases in the average and aggregate of 19% and 4% respectably. The €100,000 George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper continues to be an incentive for this sale while the exciting new Tattersalls Ireland/EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle Series for horses costing €30,000 or less was also firmly in the minds of clients when selecting lots to purchase and has been received with very encouraging and positive comments and also helped contribute to a clearance rate of 70% for the sale.
We would like to extend a word of gratitude to our consistently loyal vendors who have supported this edition of the August NH Sale and the varied bench of industrious purchasers from across Ireland and the UK. The National Hunt focus for Tattersalls Ireland now turns to our November National Hunt Sale which will be held from the November 11-18, and vendors should note that entries are already at an advanced stage and will close on Monday 18 September."