Henderson? Nicholls? Nope, Altior's half-brother is destined for Ciaron Maher

Goffs Orby Sale is probably not the arena where a half-brother to one of the brightest National Hunt stars of the past two decades would be expected to sell but the flagship yearling auction was the chosen destination for the Mastercraftsman half-brother to Altior.

Breeders Paddy and Rose Behan were on hand to watch the June born colt go under the hammer, and although Goffs is familiar territory for the family - Altior was sold at Kildare Paddocks but at the Land Rover Sale - the Orby is not terrain they had previously negotiated.

"He was a late foal and the sales were too soon for him last year so we thought we would try something a little different with him, but this is very different, it's our first time at a Flat sale," remarked a nervous Rose prior to the colt's turn in the ring.

She need not have worried however as the half-brother to five winners, who was offered by Mark Dreeling and Barbara Fonzo's Coole House Farm, brought a winning bid of €150,000.

Bloodstock agent Hamish Macauley was acting with Ciaron MaherCredit: Sarah Farnsworth / Goffs UK

As unexpected as the Mastercraftsman colt's presence was in the catalogue, almost as surprising was the identity of his purchaser as Hamish Macauley told rapt reporters that the yearling had been bought on behalf of Australian trainer Ciaron Maher.

"Mike Symons has jumpers and Flat horses with Ciaron and I think he is going to syndicate him with friends. Ciaron and I showed him to him last night and he was very keen to buy him so they put a few things together," Macauley explained.

Even more intriguingly, he may start his career on the Flat in Europe.

"He is going to be broken here to start with and travel to Australia next year or maybe the year after. He might run here on the Flat, I think he is forward enough to do that."

Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock was the underbidder and Macauley had anticipated paying more for the Mastercraftsman colt.

"I thought he was good value to be honest, and I thought he could make a lot more if the right people were here or he was at a different sale. It's an interesting idea so hopefully it will work out.

"I know if he was at a store sale in two years time he would make a lot more than that but hopefully one day we will be hearing about him as a racehorse," he added.

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