Latest news with #Poetisa
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘Hate to be in his position' – Nicky Henderson waves goodbye to £650,000 of horses as top owner scales down operation
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NICKY HENDERSON waved goodbye to £650,000 worth of horses at the sales - as a top owner scaled down his operation significantly. A total of six Olly Harris-owned horses went under the hammer under the banner of Henderson's Seven Barrows yard at the Goffs Doncaster auction. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Nicky Henderson sold a load of horses owned by Olly Harris at the Doncaster sales Credit: Getty 2 Prominent owner Harris has sold a load of horses this year, many of them in training with Henderson Chief among them was three-time winner and hugely promising sort Kingston Pride. Bought for around £160,000 in April 2023, Henderson fought tooth and nail to keep the six-year-old at his yard. But in an almighty sales ring tussle with rival trainer Olly Murphy, he had to give up the fight when the figure hit £285,000. Kingston Pride - who will now be owned by Grahame and Diana Whateley of Thomas Darby fame - was one of two Harris horses that went for six figures. The other was Haddex Des Obeaux, who never actually ran under Henderson but was still listed as being in his care after eight runs for Gary Moore. The eight-year-old gelding, who was last seen finishing third to Jonbon in the Tingle Creek, was bought for £105,000 by prominent Scottish owner Jimmy Fyffe and will now be trained by Donald McCain. But Kingston Pride - who Hendo called a 'really proper type' after his latest win at Kempton in March - was the one the legendary boss really wanted. He had to bid farewell, though, when Murphy struck the crucial blow. The bet365 Gold Cup-winning trainer said: "It's unfortunate for Nicky, I'd hate to be in the position he's in when you train a horse like that and don't get to keep him. "But he's the horse we wanted for the last three days. "He was a lot of money but hopefully he's the sort of horse who can run in graded chases at the middle distance and staying chases down the line." The setback came after Henderson was also outbid in the battle for £300,000 Poetisa by Willie Mullins. And he also had to say goodbye to Timetoshine - a serial-winning mare who is off to the US - for £145,000. Among the other Harris horses consigned by Henderson was Willmount, whose value plummeted by £320,000 since he was last sold. Having won a Newbury novice hurdle by 13 lengths on his first run for Henderson, Willmount was sent off 9-4 for the Grade 1 2023 Challow. But he was pulled up and then fell on chase debut almost a year later before flopping when 6-4 fav for a Kempton handicap hurdle on his most recent run in December last year. Purchased for £340,000 in February 2022 he was sold to Irish Grand National and National Hunt Chase-winning trainer Rebecca Curtis for just £22,000. Chris Gordon bought two-time winner Bo Zenith for £55,000, while Inneston (who is closely related to Cheltenham Festival winners Delta Work and Jazzy Matty) and Diyaken were sold for £15,000 and £20,000 respectively. Harris - who won huge at the 2024 Grand National - sold some of his other horses including the likes of £240,000 purchase Peaky Boy and £70,000 Break My Soul earlier this year. While he also gave up ownership of In The Air, Kansas Du Berlais, Montys Soldier and Perseus Way this year too. Minella Premier, a £400,000 purchase by Henderson at the same sale last year, has never run for the Seven Barrows boss and was originally listed for sale before being withdrawn. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Little-known trainer's joy as Willie Mullins swoops to buy stable star for £300k
Mullins bought Poetisa from Toby Bulgin at the Doncaster's Goffs UK Spring Horses in Training and Point-to-Point Sale. The mare is set to join horses like Grand National hero Nick Rockett and dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs at Closutton A trainer with only a dozen horses to compete is celebrating after Willie Mullins swooped to buy his stable star for £300,000. The all-conquering handler was determined to secure Poetisa, a first time out winner for Toby Bulgin at Cheltenham's April Meeting. Mullins had to fend off rival Nicky Henderson in a bidding war at Doncaster's Goffs UK Spring Horses in Training and Point-to-Point Sale on Wednesday. Represented by talent scout Harold Kirk, the Closutton maestro forked out an extra £10,000 to prevent the 20-1 scorer from going to Seven Barrows. "It was beyond our wildest dreams to have Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson bidding against each other for our horse," said Bulgin, who returned to winning ways in 2021 after a 32-year break from racing. "I think she is an absolute star and had been working so well on the run up to Cheltenham." Over the years, Kirk has sourced numerous stars for Mullins, including Hurricane Fly - who gained legendary status with a record 22 victories at Grade One level - and 11-time top flight hero Faugheen. Bulgin and his wife Nicola bought Poetisa from last year's Goffs Doncaster Spring Store Sale for only £42,000 and brought her along steadily. But impressive homework saw her start out at Prestbury Park with three-time champion jockey Brian Hughes in the saddle. Settled in midfield, the daughter of Poet's Word overcame trouble-in-running in a fiercely competitive event to score in determined fashion. Poetisa is now set to join current Mullins-trained stars like Grand National titleholder Nick Rockett and dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs at his stables in Ireland. "We took her to Kempton and Newbury on the run up to the race," said Bulgin, a former jockey who went straight from boarding school to take a job with Sir Mark Prescott in 1976. "She has so much natural ability and it was tempting to go for the Grade Two bumper at Aintree, but we decided Cheltenham wouldn't be so much of an ask. "Brian said he would leave it late and it was really exciting to see her get to the front up the hill." The couple, who farmed cattle and sheep for many years in Norfolk, have eight three-year-olds at home in Lambourn, with five yet to be broken in. Many years ago Toby Bulgin left racing and gained a role in a company which manufactured electrical components, earning money to support his family. In 2021 he returned to his beloved sport after more than three decades away when Luckofthedraw hit the target in a Fontwell chase. "I was always going to come back to it," he said. "We usually have a dozen horses in training and others to break in. "Selling Poetisa helped to pay last year's bills - with feed, farriers and so on it is an expensive business. We also found a nice horse for Paul Nolan called Rue Taylor, who has won maiden and novice hurdles in Ireland. "The feeling at the sales is a mixture of nerves and excitement. It is also a relief when the right faces appear at the ringside and you get a result." Kirk admitted he had to dig a little deeper than he had expected to secure Poetisa, bred by Reamonn and Shauna Rice from Chars, an Old Vic half-sister to the top-class hurdler Macs Joy. 'I thought she'd make between £200,000 and £250,000, but there's always going to be somebody else on a horse like this," he said. "If you're up against Nicky Henderson, you're going to have to be strong. I thought she was the standout here today. I hope she's lucky now.'
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Willie Mullins buys ‘perfect' £300,000 Cheltenham winner as legendary trainer gets serious in the summer transfer window
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WILLIE MULLINS splashed £300,000 on a 'perfect' Cheltenham winner - as his epic squad rebuild picked up pace. The all-conquering Irish and British jumps champion trainer won the bidding for the hugely promising Poetisa. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up The Toby Bulgin trained 4YO filly POETISA (Lot 308), who won her debut Bumper @CheltenhamRaces is purchased by @HaroldKirk_ & @WillieMullinsNH for £300,000. The highest price of the day so a far. — Goffs UK (@GoffsUK) May 21, 2025 Formerly trained by Toby Bulgin, Poetisa won a mares' bumper at the home of jumps in April. Sent off 20-1 under former champion jockey Brian Hughes, she stayed on well up the hill after meeting trouble to win by a neck. Poetisa commanded a price tag of £42,000 as a three-year-old but her value soared after the Cheltenham victory. And Mullins clearly liked what he saw, with her pedigree suggesting big things lie in store in the future. Poetisa is from the same family as multiple Grade 1-winning superstar Macs Joy. The Jessica Harrington-trained hurdler won over half a million quid from 31 career races, which included nine victories. Famed for his battles with the legendary Brave Inca, Mac's Joy got the better of the former Champion Hurdler several times. Notably a 'tour de force' performance saw the Barry Geraghty-ridden gelding smash his big rival by four lengths in the 2006 Punchestown Champion Hurdle. The Racing Post analysis of Poetisa's debut said: "She made the perfect start she did well to do so too, having not always had the clearest run through. "There's plenty in her pedigree that points to a good future over obstacles." Mullins landed the 1-2-3 in the Grand National last season en route to breaking Dan Skelton's heart in the trainer battle. But the Closutton conveyor belt never stops and his aim will be to bring through the best young talent for the new season. Mullins has already welcomed the 'most exciting' horse to come over from France so far this transfer season. While he and Rich Ricci have snapped up a hugely promising filly who looks just like the next Lossiemouth. While a historic agreement with King Charles means Mullins will have the first horse owned by a reigning monarch to be trained in Ireland. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Willie Mullins buys ‘perfect' £300,000 Cheltenham winner as legendary trainer gets serious in the summer transfer window
WILLIE MULLINS splashed £300,000 on a 'perfect' Cheltenham winner - as his epic squad rebuild picked up pace. The all-conquering Irish and British jumps champion trainer won the bidding for the hugely promising Poetisa. Formerly trained by Toby Bulgin, Poetisa won a mares' bumper at the home of jumps in April. Sent off 20-1 under former champion jockey Brian Hughes, she stayed on well up the hill after meeting trouble to win by a neck. Poetisa commanded a price tag of £42,000 as a three-year-old but her value soared after the Cheltenham victory. And Poetisa is from the same family as multiple Grade 1-winning superstar Macs Joy. The Jessica Harrington-trained hurdler won over half a million quid from 31 career races, which included nine victories. Famed for his battles with the legendary Brave Inca, Mac's Joy got the better of the former Champion Hurdler several times. Notably a 'tour de force' performance saw the Barry Geraghty-ridden gelding smash his big rival by four lengths in the 2006 Punchestown Champion Hurdle. Most read in Horse Racing The Racing Post analysis of Poetisa's debut said: "She made the perfect start she did well to do so too, having not always had the clearest run through. "There's plenty in her pedigree that points to a good future over obstacles." Mullins landed the 1-2-3 in the Grand National last season en route to breaking Dan Skelton's heart in the trainer battle. But the Closutton conveyor belt never stops and his aim will be to bring through the best young talent for the new season. Mullins has already While he and Rich Ricci have snapped up a While a FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Willie Mullins buys ‘perfect' £300,000 Cheltenham winner as legendary trainer gets serious in the summer transfer window
WILLIE MULLINS splashed £300,000 on a 'perfect' Cheltenham winner - as his epic squad rebuild picked up pace. The all-conquering Irish and British jumps champion trainer won the bidding for the hugely promising Poetisa. Formerly trained by Toby Bulgin, Poetisa won a mares' bumper at the home of jumps in April. Sent off 20-1 under former champion jockey Brian Hughes, she stayed on well up the hill after meeting trouble to win by a neck. Poetisa commanded a price tag of £42,000 as a three-year-old but her value soared after the Cheltenham victory. And Mullins clearly liked what he saw, with her pedigree suggesting big things lie in store in the future. Poetisa is from the same family as multiple Grade 1-winning superstar Macs Joy. The Jessica Harrington-trained hurdler won over half a million quid from 31 career races, which included nine victories. Famed for his battles with the legendary Brave Inca, Mac's Joy got the better of the former Champion Hurdler several times. Notably a 'tour de force' performance saw the Barry Geraghty-ridden gelding smash his big rival by four lengths in the 2006 Punchestown Champion Hurdle. The Racing Post analysis of Poetisa's debut said: "She made the perfect start she did well to do so too, having not always had the clearest run through. "There's plenty in her pedigree that points to a good future over obstacles." Mullins landed the 1-2-3 in the Grand National last season en route to breaking Dan Skelton's heart in the trainer battle. But the Closutton conveyor belt never stops and his aim will be to bring through the best young talent for the new season. Mullins has already welcomed the 'most exciting' horse to come over from France so far this transfer season. While he and Rich Ricci have snapped up a hugely promising filly who looks just like the next Lossiemouth. While a historic agreement with King Charles means Mullins will have the first horse owned by a reigning monarch to be trained in Ireland. . Remember to gamble responsibly
