2011 July Sale Day 1 Press Release

The John Murphy trained TOP SPIN topped proceedings at the Tattersalls July Sale which saw rises across the board on the opening day. Bouyed by a diverse and international buying bench which raised the clearance rate towards 80%, the opening session saw a total of 162 lots sold for 2,236,300 guineas at an average of 13,804 guineas and a median of 6,000 guineas. The turnover was up 23% on the corresponding session last year, whilst the average and median rose 12% and 20% respectively.

The top lot for the day was the attractive CAPE CROSS four-year-old TOP SPIN who finished second in a competitive handicap at the Curragh at his most recent start, which saw him offered with a ‘Timeform’ rating of 107. There were plenty of interested bidders including agents Peter Doyle and Anthony Bromley as well as Irish trainer ‘Shark’ Hanlon and eventual underbidder Alastair Donald, but it was Frank Berry, standing alongside National Hunt trainer Jonjo O’Neill who prevailed at 175,000 guineas. The progressive colt has been bought for JP McManus to go jumping and will be heading initially to his Martinstown Stud before returning to training.

One of the most attractive lots catalogued was the THUNDER GULCH mare ECLAIRCIE who was offered with a DUBAWI colt foal at foot and a cover by multiple Group 1 winner PACO BOY. The daughter of the Group 3 winning CAERLEON mare BLUSHING GLEAM was consigned by Charlie and Tracy Vigors’ Hillwood Stud and knocked down to Jono Mills for 85,000 guineas after he saw off agent James Delahooke to secure the mare. 

"She has been bought for Rabbah Bloodstock," said Mills, "and will head to Dalham (Hall Stud). She is a gorgeous mare and has a lovely foal at foot by Dubawi."

ECLAIRCIE is a half-sister to the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy third SKANKY BISCUIT.                            

The INDIAN RIDGE mare TRISHULI hails from one of the great Cliveden Stud families as an own sister to the Group winners IMPERIAL STRIDE and HIGH PITCHED, and out of PLACE DE L’OPERA, the Listed placed half sister to Irish 2000 Guineas winner INDIAN HAVEN and the Group 1 winner COUNT DUBOIS. Consigned from Peter Stanley’s New England Stud, the four-year-old was offered in foal to Group 1 Eclipse Stakes winner MOUNT NELSON. Richard Frisby and David Redvers both made plays to secure the mare, but were usurped by BBA Ireland’s Michael Donohoe who landed the mare for 80,000 guineas.                            

"She has been bought for an existing client," he said. "They don't make Indian Ridges any more and he is such a good broodmare sire. She will foal down at Coolmore and will visit one of the many good stallions on the farm."