Superstar hurdler Apple's Jade to be offered at Goffs December NH Sale

The top-class mare is carrying to Walk In The Park

Apple's Jade: brilliant mare is being strongly considered for the Champion Hurdle

Apple's Jade: carrying to Walk In The ParkCredit: Getty Images

Eleven-time Grade 1-winning hurdler Apple's Jade will be offered for sale at the Goffs December National Hunt Sale by Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud operation.

Apple’s Jade is in foal to Walk In The Park and is catalogued as lot 515 on the second and final day of the sale on December 10.

The mighty mare rose to promise with two easy Grade 1 successes as a juvenile hurdler for Willie Mullins, before switching to Gordon Elliott in 2016.

The daughter of Saddler Maker notched up a further nine top-level triumphs, including the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham and three consecutive victories in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle, thus becoming the first mare to win 11 Grade/Group 1 races. She bowed out after running in the Stayers' Hurdle at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

Out of the Nikos mare Apple's For Ever, she is a full-sister to dual Grade 2 scorer Apple's Shakira, who has returned to training with Nicky Henderson, and a half-sibling to Prix Morgex third Grisy Apple's.

Apple's Jade: a dominant force for owners Gigginstown House StudCredit: Patrick McCann

Gigginstown's racing manager Eddie O’Leary said: “Apple’s Jade is a very special mare. She was the first mare ever to win 11 Grade 1 races, a feat now matched only by the great Enable, and we hope she can mirror what she achieved on the track through her broodmare career.

"Gigginstown has never been about having a National Hunt breeding programme, which is why she will be offered for sale at Goffs in December. Apple’s Jade could be the ultimate blue hen for any serious National Hunt operation."

Goffs group chief executive Henry Beeby said: “It's an honour for Goffs to offer a mare of the calibre of Apple’s Jade. On behalf of all the Goffs team, I would like to thank Gigginstown House Stud for entrusting this exceptional mare to us, which is a wonderful endorsement of our December Sale."

The Goffs December National Hunt Sale takes place at Kildare Paddocks and the catalogue can be viewed here.

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Kitty TriceBloodstock journalist

Published on 30 October 2020inNews

Last updated 16:58, 30 October 2020

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