Wide Receiver Stars at Cheltenham February

The single-day Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale showcased sales topper Wide Receiver (Ire) (Sholokov {Ire}) (lot 36), who was knocked down for £410,000 equaling 2018's top price, the joint second highest price for a point-to-pointer. Consigned by Cormac Farrell's Leamore Horses, the Feb. 10 Cragmore debut winner, who won his lone start by eight lengths, went to Tom Malone and Gordon Elliott. The 4-year-old gelding was originally purchased for €25,000 out of the Tattersalls Derby Sale last June.

Wide Receiver was one of 10 lots to make six figures on Thursday, with lot 34, Ferny Hollow (Ire) (Westerner {GB}) taking second-place honours at £300,000 from Colin Bowe's Milestone Stables. Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins were the buyers of the wildcard entry who powered home a 15-length winner in a maiden point-to-point at Knockanard on Feb. 17. That buying duo also struck for Deploy The Getaway (Ire) (Getaway {Ger}) (lot 17) from the yard of Donnchadh Doyle of Monbeg Stables for £200,000. Yet another first-out winner in a point-to-point, this time at Tallow on Feb. 10, the gelding is from the same family as Grade 1 winner Special Tiara (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB}).

The last-named's price was equaled later in the session by Fado des Brosses (Fr) (Balko {Fr}) (lot 31). Out of a half-sister to to listed National Hunt victress Sarah des Brosses (Fr) (Freedom Cry {GB}), the 4-year-old gelding demolished a Belharbour point-to-point at first asking by 15 lengths on Feb. 3. Consigned by Pat Doyle's Suirview Stables, he caught the eye of Evan Williams.

Overall, 25 lots sold for a gross of £2,542,000. The average was £101,680 (-3.7%) and the median was £66,000 (+1.5%).

“It is a true testament to this sale that for the second year running it sells the joint second highest-priced point-to-pointer on record,” said Tattersalls Director of Horses in Training Sales Richard Pugh. “But these results don't come without the success on the track which has been evident by recent graduates. Just 12 months previous, the current Cheltenham Champion Bumper favourite Envoi Allen was purchased at this sale.”