The British-based trainers dominated the top end of the day one Derby Sale trade at Tattersalls Ireland on Wednesday with Aiden and Olly Murphy snapping up two of the most expensive geldings to go through the ring, including the Doctor Dino (Fr) sale-topper at €250,000.
Leading bloodstock agent Aiden and his son Olly, who is based at Warren Chase Stables in England, also splashed out €200,000 on a Saint Des Saints (Fr) gelding that was consigned by Moanmore Stables.
The pair's total spend on day one was just shy of €500,000 across three geldings and, speaking about the top lot, which Aiden opened up at €100,000, the agent said, “He has not turned a hair for two days. I have seen him time and time again. He is magnificent and he is for Olly to train and is for an existing client. He is just a gorgeous horse and we are delighted to get him.”
Explaining the six-figure opening bid, Murphy added, “He was always going to make more and we were in a bit of a hurry!”
The gelding was sold by the County Cork-based Coolmara Stables, of which, Cathal Mariga commented, “We were hoping for that sort of figure. We bought him as a foal privately from Ennel Bloodstock in Westmeath and before Jonbon came out.
“We always had Douvan in his pedigree and to get another Grade 1 winner, it was a nice update to get. He has been a great horse to work with at home, he did everything right, did not put a foot wrong. He has been very busy, he has had around 60 shows over the two days, with a lot of return visitors.”
Tom Malone and Paul Nicholls also made their presence felt in the afternoon when going to €205,000 to secure a Walk In The Park (Ire) gelding from Peter Nolan's draft.
A total of 147 lots sold on day one to the tune of €7,652,500, which averages out at €52,058. The median stood at €40,000 at close of play on Wednesday.
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