GORDON ELLIOTT broke the bank to land the most expensive store horse sold this year.
Flanked by Eddie O’Leary, brother to Gigginstown House Stud boss and Ryanair chief Michael, the duo splashed just shy of £230,000 on a three-year-old gelding.
Elliott splashed the massive sum with Eddie O’Leary, brother of Michael (pictured) next to him, suggesting the horse will run in the Gigginstown colours
Elliott had special reason to buy the horse.
He spent a massive £420,000 on his older brother Romeo Coolio at Cheltenham earlier this year.
But this latest addition to his massive Cullentra squad is already a record-setter.
The son of Kayf Tara is the highest-priced National Hunt store horse sold so far in 2023.
Described as a ‘smasher’, Elliott, who has won the Grand National three times, described how much seeing off all other bidders meant to him.
He said: “He was the stand-out for the sale. He looks the part and he looks a little like his brother.”
The horse was sold by Castledillon Stud and the farm’s Timmy Hillman said: “We bought him privately during Covid.
“He was a smasher at the time. He has done nothing wrong at all and let’s hope he’s lucky for his new owners.”
The sales are where you can expect to see a whole load of future Cheltenham Festival winners.
Olly Murphy hopes he will have one on his hands after seeing off Henry de Bromhead to the £215,000 purchase of an unnamed gelding who could be racing’s next big thing.
A half-brother to Douvan and Jonbon, the latest sibling by Doctor Dino was sold on day one of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale.
The Racing Post report ‘every possible vantage point’ was taken as Lot 84 paraded his stuff in front of potential purchasers.
One of those was De Bromhead, who has famously teamed up with Rachael Blackmore to win some of racing’s biggest contests.
But it was Murphy, who is based in Stratford-upon-Avon, who came in with the opening bid of €100,000 – just over £86,000.
Murphy and De Bromhead then went back and forth with bigger bids until Murphy saw off his competition with a winning offer of €250,000 – around £215,000.
The horse was bought for an owner who already has runners in Murphy’s Warwickshire yard.
The trainer said: “He’s a lovely horse and we’re looking forward to getting him home and seeing what he can do.”
