Trade shifted into a higher gear on Monday during the second session of the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale.
The session saw buyers focused on premium lots, particularly grandsons of the renowned Sea The Stars, with Kilbarry Lodge Stud enjoying a successful day.
The highlight came near the end of the session when Drumloose Stables, represented by Aisling Noone and Simon Kavanagh—usually known for consigning top lots—switched to buying.
They acquired a Harzand colt for €54,000 from Garryrichard Stud, sold on behalf of breeder Michael Murphy.
This colt is a half-brother to Bold Enough, a Grade 3-placed chaser trained by Henry de Bromhead.
Noone, who outbid competitors like Peter Vaughan and Timmy Hillman, shared plans to bring the colt back for the Derby Sale, expressing her enthusiasm for the purchase.
Breeder Michael Murphy, who owns four mares on his Wexford farm, celebrated the sale as a welcome success.
Having raised the colt himself, he praised its easy temperament. Murphy purchased the colt’s dam, Shuil Milan, from trainer Paul Nolan and has since bred eight foals from her.
Earlier, Garryrichard consigned another of Murphy’s homebreds—a Success Days colt—for €17,000 to Ian Ferguson.
This colt is out of Les Petits Obeaux, a Spanish Moon mare related to Grade 2 and Grade 1 performers.
Murphy explained his breeding choices, influenced by his success with Jeremy, the sire of Bold Enough.
Harzand’s appeal was evident, as only two of his colts were offered on Monday, both ranking among the session’s top six highest prices.
Peter Nolan secured a Harzand colt for €31,000, drawn by the colt’s strong pedigree linked to multiple Grade 2 winner Easy Game.
Kilbarry Lodge Stud had a notable day, highlighted by the sale of a Diamond Boy colt for €35,000 to Tom O’Brien.
This colt, a half-brother to Grade
1-winning chaser Golden Silver, showcases the O’Keeffe family’s dedication to breeding quality horses.
Tom O’Keeffe shared the story of his family’s long-standing connection to this successful bloodline.
The National Hunt market, traditionally buoyed by progeny of the popular sire Walk In The Park, showed signs of slowing down.
Nonetheless, Walk In The Park’s foals continued to attract high bids, with Hillview Farm selling a colt for €42,000 to the Frisby family.
The Frisbys have a track record of profitable resales with Walk In The Park stores.
Crystal Ocean, another Group 1-winning son of Sea The Stars, also found favor among buyers.
Tom Howley of Brook Lodge Farm purchased a Crystal Ocean colt for €42,000, appreciating the colt’s movement and the dam’s strong racing record.
Monday’s session showed a marked improvement over Sunday’s figures, with a clearance rate of 65%, generating a turnover of €1,699,000.
The average price was €12,401, with a median of €9,000. The sale continues on Tuesday, with the third session starting at 10 am.
