UPDATED 8:02PM, DEC 12 2020
Blue was the colour of choice for buyers on the opening day of the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale, which belatedly but happily began on Saturday.
Blue Bresil, who will shortly start his second season at Rathbarry Stud, had just two representatives on the opening day but both created a bidding frenzy.
For the second successive year, John Dwan sold the yearling session-topper with his family’s Ballyreddin Stud consigning the Blue Bresil gelding who made €80,000.
Lot 32 is the third foal out of the Flemensfirth mare Wild Blueberry, and the irresistible combination of sires with the imposing gelding in the ring prompted bids from around the ring and outside.
James Thomas reports from the relocated Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale
Grangeclare West on parade ahead of the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale
Melanie Sauer UPDATED 8:26PM, DEC 10 2020
Cheveley Park Stud made two notable additions to its already formidable National Hunt string on Thursday as David and Patricia Thompson s operation secured the two most expensive lots at the relocated Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale, headed by the £430,000 Grangeclare West.
With the boutique auction having switched from Prestbury Park to Park Paddocks in Newmarket, David Thompson made a rare visit to Tattersalls, where he saw his team emerge victorious from a titanic tussle.
As Grangeclare West took to the ring, auctioneer Richard Botterill received an opening bid of £100,000 from Tom Malone. With the likes of Matt Coleman also involved early on, the price quickly rattled up to £280,000, at which point Malone gestured a £20,000 increase from his position by the rin