Watar continues good success in the sales ring at Aintree

It was a good night at the Goffs UK Aintree sales on Thursday evening for the off-spring of Watar, with his two progeny that were offered on the night joining leading English-based trainers in Nicky Henderson and Jonjo O’Neill.

Rising star of the point-to-point training ranks Peter Flood, had picked up Kilbrook, a four-year-old son of the dual Group two winner, a year earlier, when paying €24,000 for him at the Goffs Land Rover sale. He returned a fine profit inside 10 months, when he sold was to Stroud Coleman and O’Neill for £78,000.

That followed his strong staying on debut at Portrush just five days earlier, when he had chased home Grandads Cottage at the first time of asking.

Tom and Sophie Lacey were responsible for the other off-spring of Watar to be offered for sale in the Aintree winner’s enclosure, and like Kilbrook, Staithes was also a four-year-old with recent point-to-point form.

His experience between the flags coming across the Irish Sea, when he had proved his gameness by making a wining debut over 2m 4f contest, having had to take on older and more experienced horses in the process.

Following his two-and-a-half length victory in a race which saw the front pair pull 14 lengths clear of their rivals at Garthorpe, it was Nicky Henderson that secured him for £40,000.

It continues a good record with first-time-out point-to-pointers that the Moorstown Stud-based stallion has enjoyed in recent times.

Last season Sean McParlan saddled Drumlee Watar made a winning debut at Loughanmore, when winning by no less than ten lengths, after which he was snapped up by Highflyer Bloodstock for £65,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham May sale.

The winners have continued for Watar this season, with Caroline McCaldin sending out her Brandy Pad to battle back from being headed to gamely win a five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Durrow last month.

Standing at Moortown Stud, Watar has a fee of €1,000, and for more information, please contact Dermot Day on 00353-(0)872771580 or email moortownstud@yahoo.co.uk