Records Smashed at an Exceptional Tattersalls Ireland Ascot May Sale

It was a successful day of trade for Henrietta Knight’s West Lockinge Farm with the highlight coming from Lot 102, the five-time winner Knock House. The ex Mick Channon trained Old Vic gelding was secured by Donald McCain for £110,000. Strong trade continued for the West Lockinge Farm consignment as Cheltenham based trainer Fergal O’Brien secured Lot 100, Viva Steve, a winner of hurdles and fences for £67,000, and in overall terms the West Lockinge Farm consignment successfully offered seven lots for £271,500 at an average of £38,786. 

Warden Hill (Lot 99) and Sgt Reckless (Lot 98) also proved attractive in the Ascot Sales ring as Warden Hill, a five-time winner including bumper, hurdle and fence successes fetching £42,000 when knocked down to Rectory Stud. Sgt Reckless, with an impressive CV of seven victories to his name, was purchased by GDP Materna for £20,000. 

Monbeg Stables and Donnchadh Doyle, who continue to have success at both Tattersalls Ireland’s Cheltenham and Ascot venues, today sold Lot 140, Reckless Behaviour with a four-year-old Maiden place on his pedigree for £27,000 to GHT Bailey. 

The Godolphin offering of Southern States (Lot 77) also proved popular in the ring and it was Lydia Richards Racing who secured the Medaglia d’Oro for £21,000 while Lord Daresbury was the successful bidder on Lot 60, Jaunty Thor, a Norse Dancer gelding with Bumper form from Closcedi Farm for £20,000. 

Commenting on the trade of today’s sale at Ascot, Director of Horses in Training Richard Pugh said; 

‘Tattersalls Ireland sales at Ascot continue to go from strength to strength and trade at today’s May Sale is further testament to this. The highlight without a doubt today is the sale of West Lockinge Farm’s Knock House to Donald McCain for £110,000 but the consistency of trade throughout the day in general is a major positive for the venue. The team at Tattersalls Ireland Ascot have made remarkable strides in developing Ascot as a reliable source for Horses in Training and we would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the vendors and purchasers who have supported this sale. We now look forward to growing and developing further sales at Ascot starting with the Ascot Summer Sale on 12 July which features a Select Horses in training Session and which has already gathered a substantial entry.’