National Hunt Sale

A colt foal by Saint des Saints (Fr) changed hands for €90,000 to top the first session of the Goffs December National Hunt Sale. Consigned by Rathmore Stud and bought by Saint Patrick, the bay (lot 171) is out of the listed jumper La Bombonera (Fr) (Mansonnien {Fr}) and is a full-brother to G1 Irish Grand National Chase victor Burrows Saint (Fr) (Saint des Saints {Fr}). Crystal Ocean (GB), who was popular at earlier National Hunt sales this season, was the sire of record of lot 218, a colt out...

Five mares broke the six-figure mark during the fifth and final day of the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale, and Benie des Dieux (Fr) (Great Pretender {Ire}) was undoubtedly the star of the show. Offered by Closutton Stables, the bay went for €350,000 to MV Magnier/Bective Stud. Sold as lot 1253, she is a three-time Grade 1 hurdle winner and was in foal to Walk In The Park (Ire). Closutton also offered the third- and fourth-dearest lots-- lot 1254 and lot 1257, Buildmeupbuttercup (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}) and Salsaretta...

A gelding by Walk In The Park (Ire) (lot 166) topped Sunday's session of the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale at €85,000. Out of Windermere Sky (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}), the bay was offered by Walshtown Stables, agent and went to Adrian Costello of Park Farm. Windermere Sky is a full-sister to Lord Windermere (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}), a dual Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival winner and a half to Sub Lieutenant (Ire) (Brian Boru {GB}), a Grade 2 winner over fences and hurdles. "The sire is one of the leading stallions...

Trade was brisk during the first session of the Goffs Land Rover Sale on Tuesday. A total of 183 horses sold from 202 offered (91%). The gross was €8,532,500, with an average of €46,626 and a median of €42,000. There were 11 six-figure lots during the first session led by a 3-year-old gelding by Shantou out of Screaming Witness (Ire) (Shernazar {GB}). Consigned by Peter Nolan Bloodstock, the bay brought a session-topping €230,000 from Bective Stud. Offered as lot 203, he is a full-brother to Grade 1 hurdler Airlie Beach...

Holding a Thoroughbred auction during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been without its challenges, and the Goffs February Sale has faced more than most. First, the sale was split into two parts, and the Mar. 2 Part II was re-scheduled for Mar. 11, but as Irish coronavirus restrictions were extended, Goffs had no choice but to move Part II online. Goffs and vendors alike can take heart from the fact that the live online format has achieved some notable results this season, and there are 84 National Hunt and Flat...

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the National Hunt foals, fillies and broodmares that usually sell at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale will now have their own separate session on Nov. 19, and the catalogue is now available. Selling that day are 161 horses after three days of National Hunt horses-in-training, 2-year-old stores, and NH yearlings on Nov. 16-18. There will also be a 23-lot dispersal of Haras de la Croix Sonnet among the breeding stock. Online bidding will be available at www.arqanaonline.com.

A new spring National Hunt sale will be conducted by Osarus, the sales company announced on Thursday. Slated for June 12, 2020 for Maisons-Laffitte, the sale will consist of 2-year-old stores and select horses-in-training. "With the good results of our Autumn 100% National Hunt sale which took place last October and the current jumps market, we felt that vendors would be interested in an earlier opportunity to sell their horses," said Osarus Managing Director Emmanuel Viaud. "Our aim is to offer a reduced catalogue of approximately 50 to 60 2-year-old...