Scott Burton on the Royal Ascot-winning trainer selling a top jumps prospect
Hardi Du Mesnil in the process of selling for a session-leading €250,000
Arqana UPDATED 7:12PM, FEB 15 2021
The Dublin Racing Festival was an amalgamation of races already in the Irish jumping calendar, but there can be no doubt its creation has magnified their importance, both on the racing and breeding front.
Coming barely a week later, Arqana s February sale is in a good spot to capitalise on any updates and it was no surprise that a half-brother of Gaillard Du Mesnil - winner at Leopardstown of the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle and now favourite for the Ballymore at Cheltenham - attracted a flurry of bids from agents representing some key interests in Britain and Ireland.
Torrens reflects on stunning double at Dublin Festival ulsterherald.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ulsterherald.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Leader Newspaper
What Did We Learn From The Dublin Racing Festival?
The countdown for the Cheltenham Festival is well underway, and gamblers were given a last-minute look at some of the Irish contenders that will be crossing over for the National Hunt centrepiece this past weekend.
In truth, it was a thrilling two days of action from around the United Kingdom and Ireland, with no shortage of stories emerging.
The level of action on display was something that wouldn’t have looked out of place at the Festival itself, with some huge names in action.
Over in the United Kingdom, it was the stunning performance from Native River to win the Cotswolds Chase at Sandown that caught the imagination, as the former Gold Cup winner rolled back the years to see off Bristol De Mai and Santini.
Johnny Ward: A popular treble falls short in Scotland and more Mullins greatness at Leopardstown
Kemboy and Monkfish both caught the eye at Leopardstown. Johnny Ward By Johnny Ward Sunday 7 Feb 2021, 7:48 PM Feb 7th 2021, 7:48 PM 2,782 Views 8 Comments
A general view of the runners and riders at Leopardstown today.
Image: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
Image: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
IF NOTHING ELSE, a life of punting horses throws up plenty to talk about.
On the eve of day two of the Dublin Racing Festival, day one having produced a scatter of remarkably impressive winners of top-rung races, WhatsApp was a hive of rumour about three horses – a popular treble.
UPDATED 1:11PM, FEB 6 2021
Yala Enki has come in for notable market support this morning ahead of the rescheduled Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Sandown (2.20).
The 11-year-old has proven his stamina over far further than this afternoon s three mile trip and should relish the testing conditions.
Available at 15-2 overnight, Yala Enki is now a general 11-2 shot to claim a first victory at Grade 2 level following an impressive performance in the Portman Cup at Taunton last time.
Bristol De Mai remains the general 5-2 market leader, ahead of Santini at 11-4 and Native River at 9-2.
Elsewhere, in the opening 1m7f handicap chase (1.15) at Sandown Mr One More has been supported into 13-2 (from 8), while Alandam has regained 100-30 favouritism from Benatar ahead of the 2m4 handicap chase (2.55).