5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Michael O'Leary sells six horses as he cuts National Hunt squad
Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud sold six of their horses at the Tattersalls Online August Sale this past week, including Punchestown Festival winner Harsh.
The versatile performer and 129-rated chaser was purchased for 30,000 guineas by Dan Astbury and Mickey Bowen, while point-to-point and hurdles winner Machismo was bought for 18,000 guineas by DP O'Dwyer Bloodstock and Gary Hamner Racing.
St Cuthbert's Cave, a bumper and hurdles winner, was sold for 17,000 guineas, Butchers Bill, winless from eight races under rules, went for 11,000, while Lakota Blue and Masterboy Davis went for 8,500 and 5,500 respectively.
Gigginstown House Stud's Eddie O'Leary, brother of Ryanair boss Michael, said: 'Following on from last year's success, we were delighted to support the Tattersalls Online August Sale again. The team do a fantastic job promoting the sale. They made it a seamless process and we look forward to using the platform again.'
Elsewhere, Cristalino was secured for 80,000 guineas by leading Irish stud farm Tally-Ho Stud. Consigned by Amo Racing Stables, the well-bred filly attracted multiple bidders from both sides of the Irish Sea.
The daughter of legendary sire and broodmare sire Fastnet Rock makes an exciting addition to the Tally-Ho broodmare band being a full sister to dual Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed Poker Face and dual Group 3 placed Star Devine. She is out winning Galileo mare Stars At Night, a winning half-sister to Group 1 1000 Guineas and Irish Oaks winner Blue Bunting.
Amy Drummond, Head of Operations at Amo Racing, said following the sale: "The filly retained value to us with her pedigree but she wasn't quite what we hoped for on the track so we're delighted that she's gone to Tally-Ho, who also stand the stallions Persian Force and King of Steel for us."
She added: 'It was a long time until the next live sale and the online sales are such a handy outlet. They're very easy to use and we've been lucky selling on the platform in the past. We had a few viewings for the filly in the yard and the whole process was so simple; she could continue her daily routine here without interruption.'
