Latest news with #TattersallsDerbySale
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish powerhouse trainers Mullins and Elliott spend big at Derby Sale
Irish powerhouse trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott spent close to €2 million between them at a two-day sale this week. While the focus switches to flat racing during the summer, it is time for restocking for jumps trainers as they try to unearth the next big equine talent. And Mullins and Elliott both dived deep into the pockets at the Tattersalls Derby Sale, where many beautifully bred store horses were on offer. Mullins bought nine unraced horses for a total of €1,230,000, including a €180,000 purchase of a Nathaniel gelding from Castledillon Agent. The Carlow trainer's long-time bloodstock agent Harold Kirk said of the purchase: 'It has been hard to get a Nathaniel out of a jumping pedigree, and this horse is out of a Poliglote mare, which I love, and it is a very good jumping family – Don Lino lower down the pedigree was a top horse in France.' He added: 'A lot of the Nathaniels who have gone jumping are out of Flat mares so you're hoping that, when they have jumping pedigrees, they will be even better. 'All the horses I am buying here will be purchased with the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland MSL Mercedes-Benz Sales Bumper in mind – moving the race to a December date works well for us and it gives us options.' Gordon Elliott, meanwhile, bought three horses for a total of €510,000. The Meath handler's biggest buy was a €235,000 Blue Bresil gelding, who is on the same cross as the sire's superstar son Constitution Hill. Elliott, who was alongside Eddie O'Leary in the sales ring, said: "He is a lovely athletic horse, one we have been waiting for all week. "We will get him home now and broken in. His half-brother, Handstands, is a very talented horse." €17,576,000 changed hands at the Derby Sale. Four horses were sold for over €200,000 with a Walk In The Park gelding out of Posh Trish (Lot 338) topping the sale at €285,000.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘Ominous signs' as Willie Mullins makes a scene spending £1m at sales with rich history of Cheltenham Festival winners
No one sources better talent MULLINS' MILLION 'Ominous signs' as Willie Mullins makes a scene spending £1m at sales with rich history of Cheltenham Festival winners Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE were 'ominous signs' for his rivals as Willie Mullins made a scene spending over £1million at a sales proven for Cheltenham Festival winners. The Closutton boss signed for nine horses in all with top lot among his purchases being a Nathaniel gelding out of former Nicky Henderson mare Floressa. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Willie Mullins and right-hand man Harold Kirk splashed more than £1million on top talent at the Tattersalls Derby Sale - a proven hunting ground for Cheltenham Festival winners Mullins has had two Nathaniels before and both have won at the Festival. Burning Victory won the infamous 2020 Triumph Hurdle that saw Goshen unship Jamie Moore at the last when miles clear. While the late Concertista won the Mares' Novices' Hurdle the same year. But they were out of Flat mares, whereas this new kid on the block is bred for the jumping game. Every Willie Mullins purchase By Sam Morgan The reigning Irish and British champion jumps trainer bought nine horses at the sales all in all. Here they are in full: £150,000 - Nathaniel gelding £140,000 - Messire Corton - half-bro to Grade 1 winner Black Corton £135,000 - Fontaine L'Abbe - a three-year-old gelding by Goliath Du Berlais £128,000 - Miss Mam - a Masked Marvel filly £120,000 - Crystal Ocean gelding £111,000 - Masked L'As - a three-year-old Masked Marvel gelding £105,000 - Mystic Des Bordes - granddam is the mother of Kopek Des Bordes £102,000 - Mystere Du Chenet - a three-year-old Doctor Dino gelding £50,000 - King Of The Blue - gelding related to former Listed Prix Wild Monarch winner Fiumicino Total spend: £1,041,000 Mullins and his sales guru Harold Kirk went to a shade over £150,000 to land lot 138 who, through his dam's sire Poliglote, can be linked to current Mullins superstar Fact To File as well as former champs Politologue and Don Poli. The three-year-old gelding was immediately given a future target - the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland MSL Mercedes-Benz Sales Bumper in December. The second most expensive purchase made by the all-conquering trainer was £140,000 Messire Corton - a half-brother to Black Corton. The Paul Nicholls-trained Black Corton put Bryony Frost on the map and was a 14-time winner including the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton. Of the nine purchases Mullins made only one cost less than £100,000. Mullins had three Cheltenhan Festival winners from this sale last year alone in the shape of Kopek Des Bordes, Lecky Watson and Final Demand. It's clearly been a happy hunting ground for him and he told Tattersalls about why he loves this sale so much. He said: "I've got a nice few horses - it's been a lucky place for us. "I like the type of horses that are sold here and they've been good to us - so why change? "The Nathaniel gelding is out of a jumping pedigree - we've had two Cheltenham winners out of Nathaniel with a Flat pedigree. "We're very happy with the purchases. Goliath Du Berlais is a nice stallion coming through too and we always look at his stock. "I get Harold to do all the work! "Sales are not my first love so he's quite busy for the two or three days before the sales, he whittles them down, we have a look and we make a decision then when they're in the ring. "I'm very happy with the value I'm getting here. "I'll put saddles on these horses as soon as I can. Why let them go out in a field? "I believe in getting stuck into them straight away." Kirk added: "We've bought more horses here this year than we ever have. "If you go back years we had Cousin Vinny, Wicklow Brave and Pique Sous from this sale." Mullins has had a busy few days having saddled a winner at Royal Ascot as well. He was in the Royal Procession on Saturday - hours before Sober claimed the Queen Alexandra under Ryan Moore. Mullins will take aim at a number of the money-spinning Flat races over the summer, possibly with King Charles' horse Reaching High. He looked to be travelling incredibly well in the Ascot Stakes but couldn't find a run through when it mattered most. He's also been keeping tabs on the sales, with his most expensive purchase of the season so far being the £300,000 paid for the hugely promising Poetisa. 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
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Ominous signs' as Willie Mullins makes a scene spending £1m at sales with rich history of Cheltenham Festival winners
THERE were 'ominous signs' for his rivals as Willie Mullins made a scene spending over £1million at a sales proven for Cheltenham Festival winners. The Closutton boss signed for nine horses in all with top lot among his purchases being a Nathaniel gelding out of former Nicky Henderson mare Floressa. 1 Willie Mullins and right-hand man Harold Kirk splashed more than £1million on top talent at the Tattersalls Derby Sale - a proven hunting ground for Cheltenham Festival winners Mullins has had two Nathaniels before and both have won at the Festival. Burning Victory won the While the late Concertista won the Mares' Novices' Hurdle the same year. But they were out of Flat mares, whereas this new kid on the block is bred for the jumping game. Every Willie Mullins purchase By Sam Morgan The reigning Irish and British champion jumps trainer bought nine horses at the sales all in all. Here they are in full: £150,000 - Nathaniel gelding £140,000 - Messire Corton - half-bro to Grade 1 winner Black Corton £135,000 - Fontaine L'Abbe - a three-year-old gelding by Goliath Du Berlais £128,000 - Miss Mam - a Masked Marvel filly £120,000 - Crystal Ocean gelding £111,000 - Masked L'As - a three-year-old Masked Marvel gelding £105,000 - Mystic Des Bordes - granddam is the mother of Kopek Des Bordes £102,000 - Mystere Du Chenet - a three-year-old Doctor Dino gelding £50,000 - King Of The Blue - gelding related to former Listed Prix Wild Monarch winner Fiumicino Total spend: £1,041,000 Mullins and his sales guru Harold Kirk went to a shade over £150,000 to land lot 138 who, through his dam's sire Poliglote, can be linked to current Mullins superstar Fact To File as well as former champs Politologue and Don Poli. The three-year-old gelding was immediately given a future target - the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland MSL Mercedes-Benz Sales Bumper in December. The second most expensive purchase made by the all-conquering trainer was £140,000 Messire Corton - a half-brother to Black Corton. The Paul Nicholls-trained Black Corton put Bryony Frost on the map and was a 14-time winner including the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton. Most read in Horse Racing Of the nine purchases Mullins made only one cost less than £100,000. Mullins had three Cheltenhan Festival winners from this sale last year alone in the shape of Kopek Des Bordes, Lecky Watson and Final Demand. It's clearly been a happy hunting ground for him and he told Tattersalls about why he loves this sale so much. He said: "I've got a nice few horses - it's been a lucky place for us. "I like the type of horses that are sold here and they've been good to us - so why change? "The Nathaniel gelding is out of a jumping pedigree - we've had two Cheltenham winners out of Nathaniel with a Flat pedigree. "We're very happy with the purchases. Goliath Du Berlais is a nice stallion coming through too and we always look at his stock. "I get Harold to do all the work! "Sales are not my first love so he's quite busy for the two or three days before the sales, he whittles them down, we have a look and we make a decision then when they're in the ring. "I'm very happy with the value I'm getting here. "I'll put saddles on these horses as soon as I can. Why let them go out in a field? "I believe in getting stuck into them straight away." Kirk added: "We've bought more horses here this year than we ever have. "If you go back years we had Cousin Vinny, Wicklow Brave and Pique Sous from this sale." Mullins has had a busy few days having saddled a winner at Royal Ascot as well. He was in the Royal Procession on Saturday - hours before Sober claimed the Queen Alexandra under Ryan Moore. He looked to be travelling incredibly well in the Ascot Stakes but couldn't find a run through when it mattered most. He's also been keeping tabs on the sales, with his most expensive purchase of the season so far being the 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.
Irish Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
First ever winner as a racehorse owner for billionaire businessman Denis O'Brien
Billionaire businessman Denis O'Brien was celebrating his first ever winner as an owner at Wexford racecourse on Saturday with a horse named Our Soldier. 67-year-old Cork native O'Brien is the founder and Chairman of the Digicel Group and a number of other businesses but has now involved himself in horse racing. Our Soldier is trained by veteran handler Edward O'Grady and was purchased by O'Brien for €25,000 at the Tattersalls Derby Sale in June 2022. The 7-1 shot ran out a three quarter length winner of the Support The Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Hurdle under jockey Philip Enright — picking up the winner's prize of €8,700. It was a first win for the six-year-old in O'Brien's colours having run six times previously. Winning trainer O'Grady told 'It's the first horse I've had for Denis O'Brien so I'm very pleased. I've been trying to get him to buy some more horses, but to no avail yet. "Our Soldier is a nice stayer-come chaser in the making. I think ground is important to him, as he likes the better ground." O'Brien has held interests in rugby and soccer but this was his first winner and there'll be intrigue as now whether he intends increasing his interest in the sport where many of his counterparts like JP McManus, Dermot Desmond and Michael O'Leary have invested heavily in over the years. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
