Camelia De Cotte tops proceedings as buyers clash for Mullins duo

All eyes were on the pair of mares offered by Willie Mullins' Closutton Stables on the final day of the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale on Thursday, with Camelia De Cotte and Cheltenham Festival scorer Limini both finding new homes.

Camelia De Cotte was the first to be offered and the auditorium had filled up by the time the Grade 2 mares' novice chase winner was led into the ring.

"She's a collector's item and represents a wonderful outcross," said auctioneer Alastair Pim, who welcomed an opening bid of €50,000 for the daughter of Laveron.

"She has a very attractive cover by the great Australia and mares like this don't come up for auction too often."

Grade 2 mares novice chase winner Camelia De CotteCredit: Pat Healy / Tattersalls Ireland

Bids flew in from all sides for the seven-year-old, with Cue Card's breeder Rowland Crellin and Treasa O'Keeffe not to be outdone after making a winning bid of €140,000.

"We've bought her to replace Airlie Beach," said Crellin. "She's likely to be covered in Ireland after she foals down to Australia. She's a traditional National Hunt mare."

Her sale marks the sixth year in a row that a Mullins-trained mare had topped proceedings during the mares session.

The master trainer also handled the career of the 2011 sale-topper J'y Vole, while he sold only two mares in the intervening years.

View sale results and buyers

View catalogue and previously sold lots

As expected there was also a flurry of bids for Limini, who followed Camelia De Cotte into the ring, and the Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle winner found favour with Will Kinsey of Peel Bloodstock at €75,000.

"I've bought her for myself and a few others who wanted to dip their toe in the water," said Kinsey, whose purchase is also carrying to Australia.

"I absolutely loved her and she'll become our foundation mare. Her pedigree speaks for itself and she represents tremendous value. We'll try to support a British-based stallion after she foals down to Australia."

Kinsey was also the vendor of a Kayf Tara colt foal bought by Timmy Hillman for €65,000 on Tuesday.

Boardsmill supports its stallion

John Flood of Boardsmill Stud lent his support to the farm's new recruit Poet's Word, finding a new mate for him in the shape of Copper Kay, an attractive Grade 2-placed hurdler by Kayf Tara.

"She's a lovely mare and has been bought to go to our new stallion Poet's Word," said Flood, who signed on the dotted line at €60,000. "She should suit him - she has a lot of depth and is a good walker. He is too, they should complement each other."

Of Poet's Word, Flood said: "He's settled in really well, we're really pleased with him. There's been plenty of interest in him already."

Limini: likely to visit a British-based sire next yearCredit: Pat Healy / Tattersalls Ireland

Glenview Stud stallion Malinas - sire of such talents as Black Thunder, Medinas and Union Dues - received a vote of confidence early in the piece when Brian Murphy of Redpender Stud went to €40,000 for a half-brother to the Scottish Grand National third Cloth Cap.

The April foal is out of the Old Vic mare Cloth Fair and hails from the further family of Irish Grand National hero Niche Market.

"He's a nice horse and will be for resale as a three-year-old," said Murphy from his position on the rope.

The same price was achieved for a Soldier Of Fortune colt out of the Beneficial mare Beneficial Choice, who went the way of Peter Vaughan's Moanmore Stables for €40,000.

The March foal has a strong pedigree being out of a half-sister to the 2014 Welsh Grand National winner Emperor's Choice, with that pair out of a half-sister to the Ryanair Chase scorer Our Vic.

Figures

Of the 205 lots offered on Thursday, 130 changed hands for total receipts of €1,617,100, at an average spend of €12,439 and median price of €7,500.

The top lot sold this week remains the Camelot half-brother to Altior who was hammered down to Kevin Doyle for €155,000 on Tuesday, with the June foal expected to be offered again at the 2022 store sales.

More from the Tattersalls Ireland November Sale:

WednesdayFrenzied trade for Flemensfirth foals as Walker wins bidding war

TuesdayKevin Doyle nets Altior's half-brother by Camelot for €155,000

Monday Bidding reaches dizzy heights for Flemensfirth colt out of Whizzzey Rascal

Sunday Norman Williamson stretches to six figures for son of Doctor Dino