The first day of the foal session of the 2019 November National Hunt Sale produced a top price of €62,000, given by Timmy Hillman of Castledillon Stud for a colt by the reigning champion National Hunt sire, Flemensfirth.
Offered by Ballincurrig House Stud, the March-born colt is the second foal out of the four-time-winning Robin Des Pres mare Whizzzey Rascal, a half-sister to the 12-time winning, Galway Handicap Hurdle (G1) hero Clondaw Warrior (Lot 294).
Hillman was the busiest purchaser through this first session of foals with five lots bought as pin-hook prospects, including the day's second-best priced lot (€48,000), a son of Milan out of Miss Bobs Worth (Bob Back). As her name suggests she is an own-sister to the Gold Cup and three-time Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival winner, Bobs Worth (Lot 298).
Rathmore Stud was also a multiple buyer through the session with the farm's most expensive of four purchases being a €45,000 Court Cave colt out of Blazing West (Lot 265). She is a Westerner half-sister to Blazing Tempo, winner of the Grade 1 Galway Plate Chase and dam of Blazing Emily, recently placed twice in Listed hurdles.
"We know the family well; we bred Blazing Emily and she now has black-type," said Peter Molony of Rathmore Stud.
"This colt seems fairly typical of the family - a good big chasing type. I like the sire, and this is a lovely horse," he added of the Peter Nolan Bloodstock-consigned youngster.
The price was matched by Oaks Farm's purchase of Lot 231, a colt by Soldier of Fortune out of Bells Walks Day (Flemensfirth). She is a full-sister to Time For Rupert, an eight-time winner and runner-up in the World Hurdle (G1).
Mark Dwyer of Oaks Farm was backing his judgement a second time; the buyer bought the colt's year older full brother for €63,000 at this sale last year.
"We like the yearling and we are giving Soldier of Fortune a chance," said Dwyer of the Chancery Stables offered colt. "I thought this colt was one of the nicest today - I wasn't disappointed when I saw him. The mare is throwing good foals."
The day concluded with 168 lots (68%) sold for an aggregate of €2,039,400, an increase of 21% compared with the same session in 2018. The median showed a healthy increase rising by 18% to €10,000, while the €12,139 average was an improvement of 4% on 2018.