SALES REPORT - IRISH TATTERSALLS WINTER SALES

‘I am a slow walker, but I never walk back’ – Abraham Lincoln.

The words from the 16th American President left their mark with his victory in the American Civil War and the Proclamation Emancipation which abolished slavery - his legacy continues today.

As does the resplendent, authoritative and exemplary NH stallion: Walk in the Park.

It comes as no surprise to see a colt selling by the reigning champion National Hunt sire with ten individual stakes winners topping the list for buyers at this year’s winter sale. Coolmore’s Gerry Aherne was the purchaser here and as he stated in the Racing Post, “Plans for him are fluid, we could bring him back for resale or keep him to race, there’s plenty of time for him.” This beautiful bay weanling is the third foal out of Glasgow Allen, who ran once at a four-year-old in France and is an American Post half-sister to Envoi Allen. Walk In The Park was the sire of ten top lots this week and continues to be a dominant force in producing top-class progeny. This colt sold for 50,000 euros in the ring and could make up into a superb racehorse.

Battling the January blues

Blue Bresil once again made his mark with the second highest-priced colt in the sale. Hailing from the Walshtown Stables in East Cork. A son of Windermere Sky, an unraced Oscar full-sister to Lord Windermere who fetched 45,000 euros. The sire is a three-parts sister to the late Oscar Elite who won the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase and closely related to Sub Lieutenant who was a top-level chaser winning both Grade 2 hurdles and fences.

Galbertstown Glimmers

It was a very successful day for Pa Doyle’s operation from Galbertstown Stables as they consigned a Blue Bresil filly to Glenview Stud for 38,000 euros. ‘An athletic type with a great page’ according to Paul Cashman in the Racing Post. The dam Regal Empress, has indeed produced a Grade 3 -placed mare Knockmanard Lady and is a full-sister to Thunder And Roses, who won the Irish Grand National for Sandra Hughes back in 2015. A lot to like from the bloodline here and a mare that could find her way into marathon trips over hurdles or fences.

Stormy Waters

Finally, the clearance rate for this sale was at a lowly 53 per cent and turnover for a similar sized catalogue to last year fell by 14 per cent. In the Racing Post, Tattersall’s Ireland’s CEO Simon Kerins stated, ‘The trade today was somewhat challenging and highlights the selective nature of the National Hunt market’. A trend worth keeping an eye on.

written by Michael Newell