'He looks like he’ll be better as a three-year-old' - Defence Missile tops Tattersalls Online September Sale trade

Defence Missile topped the Tattersalls Online September Sale when making 41,000gns to Paul Corrigan on Thursday.

A son of Coolmore's first-season sire and Arc winner Sottsass, the two-year-old has run five times for Eve Johnson Houghton and owner Bronte Collection, placing second behind the smart Mr Chaplin on debut at Newbury. 

The bay had run behind Bedtime Story in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and was also third at Salisbury behind future Solario Stakes third Royal Playwright. 

A half-brother to American Grade 2 scorer and Poule d'Essai des Pouliches second Speak Of The Devil, plus dual Group 3 winner Morando, his new connections are hopeful he can progress further next year. 

Corrigan commented: “Sam [Haggas, bloodstock agent] said the time of his run at Salisbury was pretty quick so he could be rated higher than he is. I spoke to Eve, the trainer, and she didn’t want to lose him and he looks like he’ll be better as a three-year-old from his pedigree. He’ll go to Linda Perratt and I’ll try to get a run into him with cut in the ground in October, before gelding him and putting him away for the winter.”

The sale saw turnover of 386,700gns for 70 lots sold at an average price of 5,524gns. More than 320 bidders registered for the sale from over 20 countries including America, Belgium, Britain, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, India, Italy, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands and from throughout the Gulf region.

The next Tattersalls online sale takes place from October 24-25. 

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