Damian Tiernan signed for lot 5, Heron in the Park (Irish) (Walk In The Park {Ire}) for the highest selling price of £280,000 during Tattersalls Cheltenham's December sale on Friday.
The 4-year-old filly is a winner after completing her first three-mile point-to-point race at Borris House on December 1. She is also a half-sister to Glory And Fortune (Ire) (Fame And Glory). {Ire}), a listed NH Flat race winner who won the G3 Betfair Handicap Hurdle and finished second in the Kemptons G1 Christmas Hurdle. She was brought in by Monbeg Stables.
“She was bought as a racing and breeding prospect,” said Tom Morgan, who bought Heron In The Park with Tiernan. “She's for the Jekyll partnership that owned Mrs. Hyde, and we're going to go down the same route as her – run in a bumper and then hopefully get a bit of Black-Type.”
The name Walk In The Park was back in the spotlight as the father with the second highest ticket of the day –Frankie John (Irish) (Lot 16). The gelding, provided by Boherna Stables, was purchased by Tom Malone for £275,000. The gray gelding was the first point-to-point winner at Boulta on November 23 and is a grandson of Grade 2 hurdles winner Rose Of Inchiquin (Ire) (Roselier {Fr}). His dam is a half-sister to two stakes winners over fences, including Grade 1 winner Empire Of Dirt (Ire) (Westerner {GB}).
“Denis [Hogan of Boherna Stables] He’s been telling me about this horse and promoting him for the last six months,” Malone said. “The horse was impressive at the finish line at Boulta – he went past one of Donnchadh Doyle and to get past one of the Donnchadhs means it was a good race. The horse only pulled up at the back fence and I love seeing that near Boulta.”
In 2024, 27 of 30 lots offered (90%) were sold for a gross price of £2,570,000 (-25%). The average was £95,185 (-9%) and the median fell 6% to £80,000.
Shirley Anderson-Jolag, sales manager at Tattersalls Cheltenham, said: “We are delighted to close Tattersalls Cheltenham’s promotional year with such good sales at a December sale marked by a sturdy sell-out rate of 90%.”
“The demand for the very best jumps is as sturdy as ever and today's racing results at Cheltenham with impressive wins from the progressive Tattersalls Cheltenham graduates Country Mile (Ireland), [AQPS] Jango Baie (Fr) and Long Draw (Ire), who all competed in point-to-point racing in Ireland and Great Britain, prove once again that Tattersalls Cheltenham sales are the best source of top-class jumping talent.
“We must express our gratitude to our suppliers, buyers and the staff at Cheltenham Racecourse, who have been a great pleasure to work with.
“We look forward to returning to the home of jump racing for the Tattersalls Cheltenham January Sale on Festival Trials Day, January 25th. Registrations are now being accepted.
“In the meantime, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and all the best for the Modern Year.”
