Sale-topping Court Cave pointer heads to Keighley

Image © Healy Racing

ThoroughBid’s October Sale witnessed substantial trade, with two exciting pointers breaking the £50,000 mark and Tom Malone signing at £40,000 for Henry de Bromhead’s Sky Lord for up-and-coming French trainer Nathan Vergne

Glenhead, a 5yo son of Court Cave who finished runner-up on his most recent start at Loughanmore, was snapped up by agent Darren O’Dwyer, buying on behalf of Martin Keighley, while the Caroline McCaldin-handled Castletown-Geoghegan winner Salvadorhill made £50,000 and will head to Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls.

Both were purchased by connections who spied an opportunity to follow in the success of related runners. Darren O'Dwyer explained: “I had my eye on Glenhead for a long, long time, especially from his first run. When he came up on ThoroughBid, I spoke with Martin [Keighley] because he does very well with Court Cave’s, and Martin worked hard to find an owner so we could buy him.

“I’ve been lucky to have sold Martin a few horses over the last couple of years, O’Moore Park being one of the more recent ones, who won at the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting last week. De Temps En Temps is another that won at Cheltenham who’s also out of Court Cave. It’s nice to have built up a relationship there.

“He is a fine horse. He is a chaser in the making. Sometimes Court Cave progeny continue to grow a bit more and get better with age. Fingers crossed he’s a nice boy, and we’ve got him for some value. Some of his form from earlier on seems to be working out on the track.

“I’m very keen on checking out ThoroughBid’s sales. We’ve found some nice types on there recently and the new agent’s commission is great too.”

Meanwhile, Bailey was quick to point out his reasoning for going to £50,000 for Salvadorhill: “I have purchased him for a syndicate. He’s closely related to Younevercall, who was a very good horse for us, so we’re looking forward to seeing him. When I had a scan of the sale, I saw him, and that relation to one of our former top horses is really quite exciting.

“I watched his point-to-points, and I suppose the rest is in the lap of the gods. Luckily, we got him, and at £50,000 for an Irish pointer with winning form, he’s certainly very good value.”

Agent Tom Malone secured one of the most sought-after horses-in-training in ThoroughBid’s October Sale, Sky Lord. The former Henry de Bromhead-trained seven-year-old is set to head to France to be trained by Nathan Vergne. 

Reacting to the sale, Malone said: “We’ve purchased Sky Lord to go to a good French trainer called Nathan Vergne. He’s having a nice handful of winners in his first year of training, so he’s the right man for the job and a trainer to look out for.

“We bought a similar type of horse that has done well in France, and If he can keep the same level of form, then there’ll be some decent pots out there. It wouldn’t be a case of improving him from Henry de Bromhead’s, as that would be silly, but if he can continue, then he will do well for connections.

“I was delighted with the price. If a horse of his level, rated 130, can be purchased for £40,000 and compete in France and earn prize money, that’s good business in my book.”

Olly Murphy, John McConnell, Shark Hanlon and Colin McBratney were also successful in purchasing pointers in the October Sale that are eligible for ThoroughBid’s £10,000 Point2Rules Bonus.

James Richardson, ThoroughBid CEO, said: “The October Sale offered another high-quality mix of horses, and it’s proven to be a very busy and successful day.

“With the support of some of Ireland’s top handlers, we had a host of nice pointers available, and we’re delighted with how well they’ve sold. Congratulations to both Darren O’Dwyer and Kim Bailey & Mat Nicolls, respectively, for securing what look to be two very exciting prospects, both who are eligible for our £10,000 Point2Rules Bonus. We look forward to following their journey.

“It was great to see interest from overseas too, with Sky Lord selling to Tom Malone for Nathan Vergne in France. He’s got a strong book of form, so it’s no surprise to see horses-in-training like him attract interest from other jurisdictions where they can go after some nice pots.

“Thanks to all who supported the sale and best of luck to new connections. We now look forward to our November Sale on Friday 27th November, for which entries close on Monday 16th November. We’ll also be extending our offer of risk-free consignment for that sale, meaning you only pay an entry fee if you sell.”