3 minute read
One week on from the Andy and Gemma Brown dispersal sale at Tattersalls Ireland, there has been plenty of media attention surrounding the record-breaking purchase of top lot Caldwell Potter and the decision to skip Cheltenham.
But what happened to the remaining 28 lots? Which trainers benefitted from the dispersal sale and how many remained in the hands of Gordon Elliott ahead of the spring festivals?
Lot 1 - Abbeydale
Purchased by J P McGrath Bloodstock and Paddy Brennan for 45,000 euros, the seven-year-old gelding showed some promise on handicap debut when fourth at Thurles in December and will be trained by the Cheltenham-based Fergal O'Brien.
Lot 2 - Aviation
Bought for 65,000 by Highflyer Bloodstock on behalf of Lucy Wadham, the unraced son of Martaline boasts an exciting jumps pedigree. The dam, Keep Face, is a half-sister to Champion Chase winner Master Minded and a full-sister to Lucky To Be, successful in Listed company over fences in France.
Lot 3 - Boothen Boy
The lowest selling lot in the dispersal at 6,000 euros, hurdle winner Boothen Boy was knocked down to Old Carlton Bloodstock.
Lot 4 – Caldwell Boom
The second foal out of the unraced Twinset And Pearls, Caldwell Boom is closely related to bumper winners Petticoat Tails and Tweed Skirt on the dam side. He was purchased by Donmore for 14,000 euros.
Lot 5 – Caldwell Potter
Caldwell Potter set a new record for the highest price National Hunt horse sold at auction when knocked down to Highflyer Bloodstock for 740,000 euros. Bought on behalf of John Hales, Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson and Peter Done, the gelding has been sent to Paul Nicholls and will skip the Festival.
Lot 6 – Chemical Energy
The cheapest of the four horses purchased by Gordon Elliott Racing at the dispersal, Chemical Energy achieved 215,000 euros after finishing second in last year's National Hunt Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. New owners Bective Stud have a small string with Elliott, including Grade 1 winners Found A Fifty and American Mike.
Lot 7 – Clodders Dream
A half-brother to the useful bumper scorers Petticoat Tails and Tweed Skirt, Clodders Dream remains a maiden after seven starts. A recent third on heavy ground at Limerick suggested a win is within his grasp and the six-year-old was knocked down to 25,000 euros for Aidan O'Ryan and Gordon Elliott.
Lot 8 – Doctor Bravo
The French-bred Doctor Bravo was a maiden hurdle winner in early January 2023 and produced a fair effort when midfield in last year's Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Yet to be seen this year, the seven-year-old was sold to agent Mags O'Toole for 155,000 euros.
Lot 9 – Doctor Elvis
The exciting five-year-old Doctor Elvis remained in the hands of Gordon Elliott after being sold for 260,000 euros. Third on debut in a Punchestown hurdle, the form has since been boosted with winner Predators Gold placing twice at Grade 1 company.
Lot 10 – Fil Dor
Purchaser Mags O'Toole confirmed multiple Graded winner Fil Dor would be returning to Gordon Elliott's yard after paying 620,000 euros for the gelding. The second highest selling lot of the dispersal sale, it is rumoured the gelding will run in Robcour silks.
Lot 11 – Firm Footings
Firm Footings, second behind Marine Nationale on his second chase start at Leopardstown over Christmas, is another rumoured to be remaining with Gordon Elliott, with bloodstock agent Ian Ferguson paid 330,000 euros for an existing client.
Lot 12 – Imagine
Trainer Harry Derham paid 320,000 on behalf of new owner Ian Barratt for Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase winner Imagine, who remains on course for the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Lot 13 – Jasette d'Irlande
Sold to Rathdrum Stud for 75,000 euros, Jasette d'Irlande was second on her sole point-to-point outing and remains unraced under rules.
Lot 14 – Jazzy Matty
Winner of the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at last year's Cheltenham Festival, Jazzy Matty was purchased by Denis O'Reagan for 50,000 euros and has been sent to Navan-based trainer Cian Collins.
Lot 15 – Jolly Potter
Sold to Frank Reynolds for 8,000 euros, Jolly Potter is yet to make his Irish debut after two runs over hurdles in France.
Lot 16 – Landrake
The sole purchase made by bloodstock agent Tom Malone during the dispersal, Landrake was bought for 50,000 euros as a two-time winner over hurdles.
Lot 17 – Malton Groove
A half-brother to Grand National hero Minella Times, Malton Groove is yet to hit the frame in six starts and was purchased for 8,000 euros by Alan Smith.
Lot 18 – Mighty Bandit
Impressive debut Punchestown winner Mighty Bandit reportedly scoped badly after his disappointing run in Grade 2 company at Leopardstown over Christmas and will be heading to the Warren Greatrex yard. Highflyer Bloodstock signed the docket at 420,000 for the four-year-old on behalf of new owners Jim and Claire Bryce.
Lot 19 – Mollys Mango
Ed Bailey Bloodstock went to 170,000 euros for two-time winner Mollys Mango, who will be heading to Harry Derham alongside Imagine for new owner Ian Barratt. The mare is expected to take up her entry in the Mares' Novice Hurdle at the Festival.
Lot 20 - No Time To Wait
Owner Derek Kierans paid 125,000 euros for No Time To Wait, who won a Down Royal bumper prior to a credible eighth in last year's Champion Bumper at the Festival. The six-year-old was a comfortable maiden hurdle victor at Cork in early December.
Lot 21 – Pied Piper
Dual purpose performer Pied Piper will remain at Gordon Elliott's yard after being purchased by Windgates Stud for 570,000 euros. Second in the Cesarewitch on the flat and a Grade 2 winner over hurdles, the gelding will continue to target large prizes in both codes.
Lot 22 – Roaring Potter
Maiden hurdle winner Roaring Potter was sold to Armagh-based trainer R K Watson, who paid 22,000 euros for the seven-year-old grey.
Lot 23 – Sa Fureur
Grade 3 Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle victor Sa Fureur will remain in the hands of Gordon Elliott after being purchased for 330,000 euros. Rated 143 over fences, the gelding has been bought for Bective Stud and will have multiple handicap chase options at the Cheltenham Festival.
Lot 24 – Santonito
Dual winner Santonito looks set to head to trainer Tom Ellis after being purchased for 22,000 euros by David Phelan. The seven-year-old remains unexposed over fences after two runs in novice chase company.
Lot 25 – Staffordshire Knot
The highest-priced purchase made by Gordon Elliott Racing during the dispersal, impressive Down Royal maiden hurdle winner Staffordshire Knot will remain at Cullentra and is expected to sport the Gigginstown House Stud silks on his next outing.
Lot 26 – Tactical Affair
Winner of a Cork maiden hurdle in November, Tactical Affair was purchased by Highflyer Bloodstock for 62,000 euros. The five-year-old is closely related to multiple chase winners and is expected to excel when switched to fences.
Lot 28 – Why Delilah
Louis Kennedy's Mountain View Stud paid 28,000 euros for the daughter of Champs Elysees, who boasts some interesting Black Type form in her pedigree as a half-sister to Landofhopeandglory, second in the Group 2 Curragh Cup on the flat.
Lot 29 – Yeats/The Last Bank
The purchasing combination of Patrick Moore and David Ryan were only required to pay 25,000 euros for the unnamed Yeats gelding, who boasts an exceptional pedigree as a full-brother to Grade 1 placed Chantry House.
