Cheveley Park Stud Adds To Select NH Team

With restrictions surrounding race meetings continuing in Britain, the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale was relocated to Tattersalls HQ at Park Paddocks and it was a famous Newmarket name at the top of the buyers’ list.

Cheveley Park Stud, traditionally one of Britain’s foremost owner-breeder operations on the Flat, has enjoyed increasing success with a clutch of well-selected jumpers in recent seasons, with the hugely exciting novice chaser Envoi Allen (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}) at the head of the group. Two new recruits were added to the team on Thursday in the form of the day’s top two lots, Grangeclare West (Ire) and Guily Billy (Fr), at £430,000 and £310,000 respectively.

The former (lot 8) is a 4-year-old son of the late Glenview Stud stalwart Presenting (GB) out of a half-sister to the prolific chase winner Gunner Welburn (GB) (Gunner B {GB}). Grangeclare West made his debut in the point-to-point field in the hands of Jamie Codd at Lingstown on Nov. 22 and won by four lengths for trainer Denis Murphy. His next start will be under rules for Gordon Elliott, trainer of Envoi Allen, as well as Cheveley Park Stud’s recent Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Ballyadam (Ire) (Fame And Glory {GB}).

The AQPS 4-year-old Guily Billy (lot 15) is a son of the former Haras de Cercy resident Coastal Path (GB) and the winning hurdler Ukie (Fr) (Dom Alco {Fr}). He won his second point-to-point start in mid-November for Donnchadh Doyle, who consigned the grey through his Monbeg Stables.

The same vendor was also responsible for Fameaftertheglory (GB) (Fame And Glory {GB}), who won his maiden point-to-point last weekend at Mainstown. Bred by Will Kinsey, the 4-year-old (lot 43) was sold last year at the Goffs Land Rover Sale for €42,000 and this time around went for £100,000 to Champion Hurdle-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell.

Forty-four lots were offered during the lunchtime sale, with 32 sold for a total of £2,378,000 and an average price of £74,312.

Matthew Prior, Head of Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales, said at the close of the day’s business, “As has been the case for so many in the bloodstock and racing industry in 2020, the point-to-point sector has experienced huge disruptions and challenges as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Having been unable to return to Chelteham Racecourse since the Cheltenham Festival, we are incredibly grateful to our loyal vendors and purchasers who have shown great resilience in supporting the necessary fixture changes during the Autumn season.”

He added, “Nonetheless, we are still able to reflect on what has been a phenomenal year for Tattersalls Cheltenham graduates on the raceourse, with no less than seven Grade 1 winners including Festival winners Monkfish, Ferny Hollow, Shishkin and racing’s latest superstar Envoi Allen. It has been with great pleasure and pride that today we have welcomed the National Hunt fraternity to Tattersalls in Newmarket for the first ever point-to-point sale to be staged at Park Paddocks, and we were delighted with a top price of £430,000 which was the third-highest price in Tattersalls Cheltenham’s history. Naturally our desire is for the Tattersalls Cheltenham sales to return to the home of National Hunt Racing at the earliest opportunity in 2021, but until such time today’s healthy trade has demonstrated Park Paddocks’ ability to service the sector with distinction.”

Matthew Prior, Head of Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales, said, “As has been the case for so many in the bloodstock and racing industry in 2020, the point to point sector has experienced huge disruptions and challenges as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Having been unable to return to Cheltenham Racecourse since the Cheltenham Festival, we are incredibly grateful to our loyal vendors and purchasers who have shown great resilience in supporting the necessary fixture changes during the autumn season. Nonetheless, we are still able to reflect on what has been a phenomenal year for Tattersalls Cheltenham graduates on the racecourse, with no less than seven Grade 1 winners including Festival winners Monkfish, Ferny Hollow, Shishkin and racing’s latest superstar Envoi Allen. Add to that the likes of rising stars Ballyadam and Asterion Forlonge, the lofty reputation of point to point graduates only looks set to rise further.

“It has been with great pleasure and pride that today we have welcomed the National Hunt fraternity to Tattersalls in Newmarket for the first ever point to point sale to be staged at Park Paddocks, and we were delighted with a top price of £430,000 which was the third highest price in Tattersalls Cheltenham’s history. Naturally our desire is for the Tattersalls Cheltenham sales to return to the home of National Hunt Racing at the earliest opportunity in 2021, but until such time today’s healthy trade has demonstrated Park Paddock’s ability to service the sector with distinction.”

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Grand Finale To Summer Sale

The third and final session of Goffs UK’s Summer Sale on Wednesday provided the sale’s highlight when The Million In Mind Partnership’s unbeaten hurdler Grand Roi (Fr) (Spanish Moon) (lot 318) fetched £400,000 from Aidan O’Ryan and trainer Gordon Elliott. The pricetag is the second-highest ever achieved from the annual Million In Mind reduction.

Another pair of horses in training shared the day’s second-highest price of £82,000: Fabrique En France (Fr) (Yeats {Ire}) (lot 340A), who was supplemented off a point-to-point second at Ballycahane on July 3 and bought by Olly Murphy and Aiden Murphy; and Sky Pirate (GB) (Midnight Legend {GB}) (lot 448), a two-time winner over hurdles bought by Wasdell Group.

From 186 horses offered on the day, 158 (85%) were sold for an aggregate of £2,369,850. The average was £14,999 and the median £7,000.

Commenting on the day’s trade and the Summer Sale as a whole, Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent said, “The three-day Summer Sale has been a success from start to finish and today’s trade has been no different. This unique sale was similar in format to our traditional Spring Sale and managed to attract a diverse buying bench that was prepared to spend at all levels of the market either in person, on the phone or online. It is this varied selection of horses that helps to attract these buyers each year and I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all vendors, of stores and horses in training, who have supported us during these unprecedented times and helped Goffs to conduct a very successful sale under a unique set of challenges.”

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Gordon Elliott Joins Virtual Live Racing

Irish trainer Gordon Elliott has become a shareholder of Virtual Software Limited, the firm behind Virtual Live Racing. Based on the Isle of Man, the firm is chaired by online betting pioneer and racehorse owner Vincent Caldwell. The VLR product is available to all tote systems in the US via distribution through AmTote International’s Spectrum wagering system which enables tracks to accept wagers from players and create a brand new risk-free revenue system.

“Vincent Caldwell and I have enjoyed winners for the last four seasons,” said Elliott. “Vincent is passionate about Irish racing and works tirelessly like we all do in this industry without complaint as we are lucky enough to work in an industry we love. His focus of wanting to excel and win, just like myself, is what sparked my interest in his new venture Virtual Live Racing (VLR). Vincent’s goal is to give back to racing so that it will flourish for the next generation. By creating virtual replicas of real racetracks, Virtual Live Racing’s software, creates a much needed new revenue stream for racetracks and wagering operators. The software helps promote and build future demand in our beautiful sport. Vincent has created a little bit of racing history here and I am happy to back a winner with Vincent and Virtual Live Racing.”

Added Caldwell. “It’s fantastic to have Gordon on board. He shares VLR’s vision which sees virtual racing as an innovation that has a vital role to play in the future success of the racing industry. The respect and status that Gordon has in the sport, combined with his business knowledge, is a major boost in our drive to support a future proof, sustainable, business model for the racing industry in Ireland, UK, and internationally.”

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