The opening day of the Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale saw 10 lots sell for six-figure sums, with a top price of €175,000 given for the already-named Boedic (Fr) (lot 86). Tom Malone struck the opening bid for the No Risk At All (Fr) gelding at €100,000, but it was Harold Kirk, buying for Willie Mullins, who proved to be successful.
“That was a bit of a shock!” said Kirk when referencing Malone's starting bid. “This horse was my number one for today. He is by one of my favourite sires and the dam was a very good cross-country mare, which we love as we have had some very good horses out of cross-country mares.
“He is a stunning individual and has fantastic movement–he just ticked every box. Every time I saw him I loved him more and he is for an owner in Willie's yard.”
The gelding was offered by Creighmore Stables, whose Michael O'Brien, a second-season consignor, spent three years working with Walter Connors before branching out on his own.
“My first thought was that I hope someone else goes on!” joked O'Brien when asked of his reaction to Malone's opening bid. “I was hoping that he was going to be an important horse today–a lot of people told me that they thought he is the nicest here today. I am delighted that he is going to Willie Mullins.”
Norman Williamson's Oak Tree Farm was the day's leading consignor with three of its four lots offered selling for at least €90,000. The top-priced of the trio was the already-named Bouffan Has (Fr) (Doctor Dino {Fr}) (lot 103), a half-brother to the talented hurdler Botox Has (Fr) (Dream Well {Fr}). He sold to Mags O'Toole for €170,000.
The Lakefield Farm-consigned Sunshineway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) (lot 169), a half-brother to the Listed winner and Group 3-placed Flat runner Styledargent (Fr) (Style Vendome {Fr}), was another highlight of day one when going to Ross Doyle for €170,000, while lots 115 and 177 were best of the rest when selling for €120,000 apiece.
Lot 115, the Baroda Stud-consigned Crystal Ocean (GB) gelding out of the Yeats (Ire) mare Carrowmore (Ire), was bought by Harold Kirk, Willie Mullins and M. V. Magnier, while the Jukebox Jury (Ire) gelding from Brook Lodge Stud went the way of Kevin Ross Bloodstock.
Day one ended with 142 horses being sold (78% clearance rate) for a total of €6,656,500 at an average of €46,877 and a median of €39,000. The second day of the 50th Derby Sale begins at 10.30am on Thursday.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
