Image © Healy Racing
The ThoroughBid February Sale produced another vibrant trade as a number of eye-catching prospects changed hands, headed by Dan’s Allstar, purchased by Dan Astbury for £20,000.
Consigned by Tom Keating, the aptly named gelding will head to Phil Kirby’s yard in North Yorkshire and will be eligible for the £5,000 Point-to-Rules Bonus, adding further incentive for his new connections.
The son of Malinas had finished third on his most recent start at Cragmore to the Ellmarie Holden trained Moltezuma.
Another Irish pointer to sell well on the day was the consistent Moonshine River who was placed on all three of her starts this season for Thomas Feeney.
She was knocked down to Jerry McGrath for £10,000, McGrath was continuing his support of the platform and reinforcing the strong demand seen throughout the February Sale.
Also featuring prominently in the February Sale was the wildcard entry Amber Dancer, who was secured for £12,000 by bloodstock agent Matt Coleman.
Consigned by William Millburn, Amber Dancer finished second on debut in a Point-to-Point Flat race at Duncombe Park on 22nd February and will now head to trainer Neil King at Upper Herdswick Farm in Wiltshire.
An intriguing daughter of Dragon Dancer, sire of leading Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy Haiti Couleurs, adds further appeal to the progressive young mare.
Gordon Elliott’s consignments once again proved popular on the platform, with recent winner Big Stage set to join Stuart Coltherd. A runaway 12-length scorer on his latest start at Ayr, the progressive gelding looks an exciting prospect for new connections.
Trainer Stuart Coltherd said: “We initially decided to buy Big Stage because, on his last start when winning at Ayr, he beat one of mine, Flash Du Pistolet, by 12 lengths. I know how good I think my horse is, so the fact that he beat mine so comfortably shows me the level of horse I now have on my hands, and hopefully there will be a few races he can win for us.
“Our plan now is to try to find some owners for him, which I don’t think will be too difficult considering he’s a nice horse who won last time out. We’ll get going with him once we’ve got him home. Having a horse come from Gordon Elliott, it’s obviously one that has been well looked after.
“Obviously, I would have liked him to be cheaper, but that’s the way it is, isn’t it? Don’t we all! But he certainly represents good value for what he has done on the track.
“It’s always straightforward using ThoroughBid. We had no problems at all; it’s definitely an easy way to buy a horse.”
James Richardson, CEO of ThoroughBid, gave his thoughts on the sale as a whole: “The February Sale has continued what’s been a really encouraging start to 2026 for ThoroughBid. Amber Dancer is a nice British pointer who created plenty of interest as a wildcard entry and it’s great to see her purchased by Matt Coleman to be trained by Neil King - she looks a lovely prospect.
“It was also pleasing to see strong demand again for Gordon Elliott’s consignment, with Big Stage heading to Stuart Coltherd after that impressive win at Ayr, while Dan’s Allstar and Moonshine River added further depth to the sale. It will be particularly interesting to see if Dan’s Allstar - or indeed any of our eligible graduates - can land the £5,000 Point-to-Rules Bonus in the coming months, which adds an extra layer of excitement for owners.”
For more information on the February Sale results, plus how to enter and register for the March Sale, visit: https://thoroughbid.co.uk/home
