Relations to Faugheen and Might Bite among August National Hunt Sale offerings

Tattersalls Ireland brings the curtain down on the store auction season with the August National Hunt Sale, which begins its three-day run at Fairyhouse on Tuesday, with sessions starting at 10am each day.

A total of 837 lots have been catalogued, and among the eyecatchers on pedigree are: the Ask gelding out of a half-sister to the great Sprinter Sacre (Lot 62), consigned by Castledillon Stud; a Westerner half-sister to Peregrine Run (211), offered by Kildallan Farm; the Califet half-sister to the mighty Faugheen, offered by Kellsgrange Stud (227); and the Milan half-brother to King George VI Chase hero Might Bite, consigned by Abbeyleix Stud (513).

View full Tattersalls Ireland August National Hunt Sale catalogue

Tattersalls Ireland saw strong trade at the second edition of its May store auction, which welcomed gains across all key market metrics, and that flowed into the company's flagship Derby Sale, which concluded with an aggregate of €17,093,500 - the third-highest on record - and a €220,000 top lot, a son of Martaline bought by Ronnie O'Leary.

Tattersalls Ireland's chief executive Matt Mitchell said the company was being realistic in its expectations given the less-select nature of the August National Hunt Sale, but that he still expects the more choice offerings to prove in high demand.

"It's the final sale for stores this year and we're being realistic in that there are a large number of horses in the sale," he said. "But there's already a presence from buyers on the ground here and that would indicate the market is still seeking store horses, which is good news.

"It'll be at a different level [to the Derby Sale] this week as this is an open sale, but there are horses in there who've missed select sales and, provided everything is well with them now, I think those horses will sell very well. There are other nice pedigrees and nice individuals in there as well."

He added: "I certainly think we'll see an increased presence from the domestic market in Ireland."

Last year's August National Hunt Sale was topped by a son of Fame And Glory who went the way of agent Matt Coleman for €80,000 - the highest price witnessed at the Tattersalls Ireland auction since 2014.

All horses catalogued for the August National Hunt Sale are eligible for the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper 2020.

Tattersalls Ireland August National Hunt Sale factfile

WhereTattersalls Ireland, Ratoath in County Meath
When Three-day sale starts on Tuesday, with sessions beginning at 10am each day
Last year's stats From 620 offered lots, 422 sold (68 per cent) for turnover of €3,964,600 (up five per cent), an average of €9,395 (down five per cent) and a median of €5,500 (down 15 per cent)
Star graduatesThistlecrack (offered by John McDonald from Derrymore House in 2011, bought by John Snook for €43,000); Summerville Boy (Lacken Stud in 2015, bought by Richard Downes for €4,000); Simply Ned (Miss Edel Ryan from Moyfinn Stud in 2010, bought by Gerry Griffin for €23,000); The Glancing Queen (Ballincurrig House Stud in 2017, bought by Colin Bowe for €8,500)

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