SOLID RENEWAL OF AUGUST NATIONAL HUNT SALE

As in 2014, nine horses achieved prices of €50,000 or more, and this year’s top price of €75,000 was given by Gerry Griffin on Day 2 for a good-looking son of the young Arctic Tack Stud sire Arcadio and sold by Peter Nolan Bloodstock.

The statistics for the three-day sale are on a par with 2014. Although the average of €9,201 is 6% down on 2014, it is still the fifth highest average ever achieved at the August NH Sale.

The median finished just 7% down on 2014 at €5,600, and, aside from last year, is the best recorded since 2007.  The sale produced a turnover of €3,698,900.

The Day 3 average of €6,012 was within 3% of 2014, while there was a slight fall in median from €4,500 to €4,000.

The session’s top price of €20,000 was given by British trainer Seamus Mullins for the Kalanisi gelding out of Chanson du Chenet (Lot 599) and consigned by Ash Lodge Stud.

“He is a nice active type with a good pedigree, and a good recent update. We will take him back and try and win a bumper with him,” said Mullins.

The dam Chanson du Chenet has already produced three black-type performers, and the pedigree achieved a significant recent update after her grandson Shanahan’s Turn won the Galway Plate in July.

The Bradley Partners bought the Milan gelding out of Emesions Lady (Lot 629) from Burn Stables for €18,000, while Alistair Duncan spent €17,500 on Lot 611, a Definite Article gelding half-bother to a winner and from the family of Remember Rose. He was sold by Birdcatcher Stables for Patricia McGlynn.

Commenting on the August NH Sale, Managing Director Roger Casey said;

"Following on from the strong renewal of The Derby Sale and the successful introduction of Derby Sale Part II earlier in the summer it is pleasing to also have witnessed a solid trade here this week as borne out by an average of €5,600, a median of €9,201 and an overall clearance rate of 69%. While the additional day of stores in June invariably had some impact on the August Sale statistics, it was always going to be challenging to replicate the 2014 results which produced the second-best aggregate ever for the August Sale and in that context this week’s trade was encouraging with a top price of €75,000, 30 lots achieving a price greater than €25,000 and a number of Irish and UK purchasers active throughout the week, enticed no doubt by the chance to participate in The Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper in 2016, a race that produced the Cheltenham Festival Bumper winner  this year, Moon Racer. We now look forward to our next national hunt sale in November with demand for places as strong as ever and this sale will again commence with the NH Yearling Show on Sunday November 8th".