Johnson Snaps Up Top Three Lots At New Sale
The Seven-Year-Old Abbeybraney topped the inaugural Brightwells’ Cheltenham Stars of the Future Sale when he was bought by Howard Johnson on behalf of Graham Wylie for £200,000. Consigned by Ballyroe Stables, the son of Moonax (Lot 15) has been placed twice at Gr.1 level over fences in Ireland already. He is the best foal to date of his dam Balliniska Beauty (Roselier), who was unraced but comes from the family of the classy chaser General Pongo.
Johnson also outlasted Dan Skelton, Paul Nicholls’s assistant, to land Bunglasha Jake (lot 28) for £135,000. Consigned by Winacre Stables on behalf of John Jones, the four-year-old by Jolly Jake won a maiden point-to-point earlier this month. He is a half-brother to hurdler Market Legacy (Scenic), from the family of the Gr.3 Sagaro Stakes winner Safety In Numbers and the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes winner and sire Count Phalen.
The third of Johnson’s purchases was Lot 24, the five-year-old The Knoxes, for whom he paid £95,000. Consigned by Stradballymore Stables on behalf of Margaret Flynn, the son of Close Conflict won a maiden point-to-point last Sunday. Out of a bumper winner, he comes from the family of the good hurdler Maid Of Lorien and the talented Banbysnatcher.
Johnson revealed that Abbeybraney will continue in novice chases, it is hoped that Bunglasha Jake will enjoy success in bumpers this season and The Knoxes will go novice hurdling.
Lot 10, Like Minded, a four-year-old gelding by Kayf Tara, who won at Lingfield Park earlier in the week, was sold for £90,000 but was later bought privately by Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock for £100,000. The gelding, who will be trained by Paul Nicholls, is likely to start novice hurdling in the New Year. Consigned by Hackness Stables, he is out of the unraced Sun Dante (Phardante), who is a half-sister to the Listed winning and Gr.1 placed hurdler Chauvinist (Roselier), from the immediate family of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner Mr Mulligan and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Forest Sun.
Aiden Murphy was the successful bidder for Lot 11, the four-year-old Ballyoliver, another son of Kayf Tara. For £85,000. Consigned by Loughanmore Farm, he is the winner of a point-to-point out of the Buckskin mare , Macklette. He will be trained by Kim Bailey.
21 lots were offered from the 32 horses catalogued and 14 of them were sold for an aggregate of £867,250 an average of £66,692 and a median of £60,000.
Matt Mitchell, Head of Bloodstock commented: ‘Whilst the market continues to be selective, understandably in the current economic climate, vendors have been able to capitalise on the unique selling environment of Cheltenham. We have proven that a niche sale of quality horses attracts potential purchasers who are also racing. The sale’s success gives confidence to our belief that the sale can substantially grow’.
Brightwells Auctioneers