Point-to-point past masters give their views on the store market

This article was originally published on June 9

As the store sale season goes up another gear, with the Goffs Land Rover and Tattersalls Ireland Derby fixtures taking place this month, we sought the views of three past masters at turning their purchases at these auctions into pricey point-to-pointers . . .

What are you looking for in a store horse?

Sam Curling I want something that moves well, has a bit of size and then I'll look at the pedigree after that. But conformation and athleticism absolutely come first.

Donnchadh Doyle I'd look for a bit of size and scope, nothing too small, and they have to be good-looking. I wouldn't worry too much about pedigree.

Warren Ewing It's got to be an athletic specimen. I don't like too big a horse, as the larger ones can take too long to come to hand, and I want to get on with them. You have to buy fashionable pedigrees if you're relying on reselling at Cheltenham and a good, recognised sire will help you in the ring.

Who are the sires to follow at the store sales?

SC Fame And Glory has got off to a brilliant start. It's a shame he died young but he's one I'll be keeping an eye on. I'm also really keen on the first three-year-olds by Imperial Monarch. He's by Galileo, closely related to Oscar, and seems to be getting very nice stock.

DD Aizavoski is one I'll be following. He's a good-looking son of Monsun and we sold a really nice four-year-old by him [Brewers Project] to Tom Malone and Paul Nicholls for good money at the Cheltenham Festival Sale.

WE Getaway is one you can't ignore, he's a very good sire in the making. Everyone knows what Saddler Maker has done and his stores at Goffs and Fairyhouse are sure to be in demand, and I also have a soft spot for Jeremy.

What are your predictions for the market at the Land Rover and Derby Sales?

SC I think it'll be very strong at the top end, and strong elsewhere too, right through the market. We're in a period where there are plenty of people who are wanting to buy a store.

DD They'll be very strong, Doncaster last month was buzzing. Would I look to source stock any other way in search of value? No, I'll stand by the sales. I like to look at every horse on the grounds. It's just more straightforward.

WE Strong enough, the nice horses will always make big money. Some of the trainers might be struggling to reinvest as they didn't get to run their best horses last season, being held back by point-to-point abandonments with the weather the way it was, so the figures might be back a wee bit but not drastically.

Read more...

Malinas the revelation among the sires of pricey pointers last term

View the catalogue for the Goffs Land Rover Sale

Study the form for the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale