Trade stepped up a gear on day three of the November National Hunt Sale which saw 189 highly desirable National Hunt foals change hands for a record breaking average of €21,898 and a record median of €16,000, increases of 27 per cent and 7 per cent compared with day two in 2016. The day's aggregate of €4,138,700 was an increase of 22 per cent on 2016, with a strong clearance rate of 77 per cent.
A Shantou half-brother to the talented Grade 1 winner BRIAR HILL, bought by Richard Rohan of Ballincurrig House Stud, topped the day's proceedings. Rohan opened the bidding at a strong €50,000 and had to fight off the opposition having to bid €80,000 in order to secure the April born colt.
"He is for a client of the farm," said Rohan of the foal whose pedigree also includes the Grade 1 winner BOSTON BOB. "The foal has a high-class page and is a lovely individual, we thought he was the best foal. We opened the bidding at €50,000 knowing that it would only be an opener. He will be back for resale as a three-year-old."
Four foals by the British Champion sire Kayf Tara made it into the day's top ten prices, the quartet headed by a Little Lodge Farm-consigned colt and bought by Aiden Murphy for €77,000 (Lot 693).
The April born colt is a half-brother to Odello, a bumper winner and the only runner so far for the mare Isabello. By Presenting, she is a half-sister to BANJAXED GIRL, a Cheltenham Listed hurdle winner and a Grade 3 winner over fences at Leopardstown.
The sale's leading buyer, Ian Ferguson, took his week's purchases to 12 with the day's acquisitions including Fame And Glory colt (Lot 622) from Ashwood Stud, who cost the buyer €75,000.
"He is a gorgeous horse and the family is there for all to see," said Ferguson. "He will be going racing, he'll not be coming back for sale. I'm a big fan of Fame And Glory, I just love his horses."
The colt is a half-brother to the eight-time winner BRIGHT NEW DAWN whose victories which included three Grade 2 successes over fences and hurdles.
Lot 735 became the highest priced filly on the day. By Soldier of Fortune, the filly is out of Sacral Nirvana, herself placed in a Listed hurdle and a half-sister to the Listed hurdle winner ON THE GO. She was knocked down to French born Irish based purchaser Vanessa Teehan-Ruzier on behalf of French clients for €70,000.
"She is from a beautiful French family and my clients wanted to buy a filly and get into a good family but it has been very difficult to buy a nice filly.
"She will go to France where they will race her and then breed from her afterwards" commented Teehan-Ruzier of her purchase.
Foal trade continues tomorrow at the November National Hunt Sale commencing at 10am.
Click here to view the catalogue/results of the November National Hunt Sale