Coolmore NH Sires Lead The Way At The Derby Sale
Coolmore NH stallions were crowned the top four leading sires at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale, where a daughter of Walk In The Park topped trade at a price of €300,000.
The half-sister to Altior was an obvious highlight on pedigree, and after impressing many buyers as a physical specimen, brought an opening bid of €100,000. After fending off a determined challenge from Peter Molony, trainer Gordon Elliott and agent Aidan O’Ryan were declared the successful buyers.
“She was the outstanding horse in the sale and is for David Page and Dave Rabson of KTDA Racing,” revealed O'Ryan, adding, “They have followed Altior all his career and had their hearts set on the mare. She’ll go into training with Gordon and they want to breed from her after her racing career.”
With four six-figure sales over the two days, Grange Stud sire Walk In The Park was crowned leading sire of the sale, with 19 of his first Irish crop of three-year-olds selling for €1.3million and generating an average price of €68,421. The Beeches Stud resident Flemensfirth took second billing on the sires table, while Getaway’s popularity put him in third and Soldier Of Fortune’s first Irish stores earned him fourth place.
Grange Stud sire Milan was represented by just four lots and the quality quartet sold for an average price of €69,750, including Tuesday’s top price of €195,000. Offered by Castledillon Stud as Lot 145, the half-brother to ill-fated dual Grade 1 winner Fayonagh was knocked down to the busy duo of Elliott and O’Ryan. The top trainer later commented, “Fayonagh was a brilliant mare and it was such a pity we never got to see what she could go on and do over hurdles. He’s the standout store we have seen so far this year and is for a client in the yard. Milan has been a lucky sire for us too.”
Castledillon Stud continued their ultra-successful sale when selling a son of Getaway to agent Kevin Ross for €170,000. The first foal out of the unraced mare La Scala Diva (Milan) provided Timmy Hillman with a substantial profit on his foal price of €30,000, while Sluggara Farm was another consignor to reap rewards with a son of Getaway, selling Lot 365 for €105,000.
Multiple Champion NH sire Flemensfirth sired three six-figure lots over the two days, the most expensive of which was a half-sister to Grade 2 hurdle winner Black Tears. Offered by Glen Stables as Lot 325, she will next be seen carrying the colours of Sue Magnier, after Coolmore’s Gerry Aherne secured the bay with a bid of €155,000. After signing the docket, Aherne commented, “She’s an absolute queen. MV Magnier saw her yesterday and loved her.”