Damian Tiernan signed for lot 5, Heron In The Park (Ire) (Walk In The Park {Ire}) for a sale-topping £280,000 during the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale on Friday.
The 4-year-old filly is a winner after breaking her maiden in a point-to-point over three miles at Borris House on Dec. 1. She is also a half-sister to Glory And Fortune (Ire) (Fame And Glory {Ire}), a listed winner of a NH Flat race, who won the G3 Betfair Handicap Hurdle and was second in Kemptons G1 Christmas Hurdle. She was consigned by Monbeg Stables.
“She has been bought as a racing and breeding prospect,” said Tom Morgan, who bought Heron In The Park alongside Tiernan. “She is for The Jekyll partnership who owned Mrs Hyde, and we are going to go down the same route as her–run in a bumper and, hopefully, then get a bit of black-type.”
Walk In The Park's name was back in the lights as a sire with the day's second highest-priced lot–Frankie John (Ire) (Lot 16). The gelding, consigned by Boherna Stables, was snapped up by Tom Malone for £275,000. A maiden point-to-point winner at Boulta on Nov. 23, the grey gelding is a grandson of Grade 2 hurdle winner Rose Of Inchiquin (Ire) (Roselier {Fr}). His dam is a half-sister to a pair of stakes winners over fences including Grade 1 winner Empire Of Dirt (Ire) (Westerner {GB}).
“Denis [Hogan of Boherna Stables] has been telling me about this horse for the last six months and has been banging the drums about him,” said Malone. “The horse was impressive at the line at Boulta–he went past one of Donnchadh Doyle's, and to outstay one of the Donnchadh's means it was a good race. The horse didn't pull up until the far fence, and I love to see that around Boulta.”
In 2024, 27 lots sold from 30 offered (90%) for a gross of £2,570,000 (-25%). The average was £95,185 (-9%) and the median was down 6% to £80,000.
Tattersalls Cheltenham's sales manager Shirley Anderson-Jolag said, “We are delighted to conclude the Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale year with such healthy trade at a December Sale marked by a strong clearance rate of 90%.
“Demand for the very best jumps prospects is as strong as ever and today's race results at Cheltenham, with impressive victories by the progressive Tattersalls Cheltenham graduates Country Mile (Ire), [AQPS] Jango Baie (Fr) and Long Draw (Ire), all of whom started out in point-to-points in Ireland and Britain, proves once again that the Tattersalls Cheltenham sales are the best source of top-quality jumping talent.
“We must extend our thanks to our vendors, purchasers and the staff at Cheltenham Racecourse, all of whom are such a pleasure to work with.
“We look forward to returning to the Home of Jump Racing for the Tattersalls Cheltenham January Sale on Festival Trials Day, January 25, entries are being taken now.
“In the meantime, we would like to wish everyone a great Christmas and all the very best for the New Year.”
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