Cheveley Park Stud owners David and Patricia Thompson have raised their team for today's Randox Health Grand National up to three following the purchase of Just A Par (Ire) (Island House {Ire}) at the Goffs Aintree Sale on Thursday evening.
Though more readily associated with Flat racing, the Thompsons won Britain's most famous jumps race in 1992 with a late bid for Party Politics and it emerged that the family had acquired the 10-year-old Just A Par after trainer Paul Nicholls bid £100,000 for him at the auction.
“He is going to run in the name of Richard C Thompson, the son of Patricia and David,” said Nicholls.
Patricia Thompson has several other horses in the yard of the champion trainer and last week it emerged that the family had taken over the ownership of Just A Par's stablemate and National runner Le Mercurey (Fr) (Nickname {Fr}) from Chris Giles and Colm Donlon.
The same purple and pink National Hunt colours will also be carried by the Jimmy Moffatt-trained course specialist Highland Lodge (Ire) (Flemensfirth), another late transfer to the Thompson operation.
Chris Richardson, Cheveley Park's managing director, said: “The Thompsons are passionate about all racing and they do enjoy the jump racing. They have had some luck in the National with Party Politics and were keen to have another runner.
“Mumbles Head (Ire) ran a few years ago, although he didn't take a starring role, and they bought the two before Richard bought Just A Par on Thursday.
“We had a good year last year and the jump racing is something for them to look forward to during the winter.”
This was the second time the Goffs event had taken place in the Aintree paddock after racing, and business was strong once again.
Of 23 offered, 18 were sold and while the aggregate was down 16% at £1,813,000, the median increased 17% to £82,000.
The top lot was the unusually coloured speckled roan gelding Madison To Monroe (Ire) Presenting (GB), an easy winner of an Irish point-to-point last month. The 4-year-old was bought for £300,000 by bloodstock agent Tom Malone on behalf of Alan and Ann Potts, owners of last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Sizing John (GB).
Goffs UK managing director Tony Williams said: “To achieve a top price in the £300,000 bracket once again this year is very pleasing and it shows that the Aintree Sale, now in its second year, is the measure of the market for this category.”
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