The Leader Newspaper
By Andrew Atkinson
Michael O’Leary has sold mare Apple’s Jade for â¬530,000 to trainer Gordon Elliott on behalf of Noel and Valerie Moran’s Bective Stud.
Grade 1 winner on 11 occasions Apple’s Jade was sold by O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud at Goffs December National Hunt sale.
One of the most prolific hurdlers, Apple’s Jade retired after running at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival in March and is now in foal to top national hunt sire Walk In The Park.
Having joined trainer Willie Mullins yard in 2015 after being sold following one run in France, Apple’s Jade was moved to Elliott’s stable, after O’Leary took his horses off the Carlow handler due to a reported disagreement over training fees.
Trainer pays €530,000 for former inmate. By Press Association Friday 11 Dec 2020, 9:40 AM Dec 11th 2020, 9:40 AM 4,401 Views 1 Comment
FORMER HURDLING CHAMPION Apple’s Jade was sold for €530,000 at the Goffs December National Hunt Sale on Thursday.
The eight-year-old won 11 times at Grade One level for owners Gigginstown House Stud – twice when trained by Willie Mullins and on nine occasions after joining Gordon Elliott.
Her former handler bought the mare on behalf of Noel and Valerie Moran’s Bective Stud, with Apple’s Jade fetching a record price for National Hunt mare sold at public auction.
Her big-race haul includes the the 2017 Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, the Irish Champion Hurdle and three consecutive victories in both the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse and the Frank Ward Memoria