Top handlers splash cash on hopefuls POINT-TO-POINT

THE point-to-point racing scene is a never-ending cycle and, just days after the end-of-season celebrations for a successful 2017/2018, the Wexford handlers were out in force at the two-day Goffs Land Rover sale, stocking up on three-year-olds which they hope will be the stars of the scene next spring.

The level of investment by the top Wexford yards was quite startling, but quite a few of the smaller handlers were also in the market against some of the leading British owners and stables.

Top trainer Paul Nicholls paid a record price for the sale of €325,000 for a son of Flemensfirth, but horses were also available at €5k and less.

The Doyle Brothers’ Monbeg, Ballindaggin, team were very busy, spending €514,000 for 14 horses, making them fourth on the top ten purchasers table for day one.

Their most expensive purchases were €78k for a son of Saddler Maker, and €65k for a Shirocco gelding. They bought another eight horses for more than €40k each, including Shantou and Flemensfirth geldings for €52k apiece.

Champion handler Colin Bowe from Kiltealy was also in the top ten buyers and under several guises, including Milestone Bloodstock, was involved in more than half a million in sales. He signed for €60k for a Kayf Tara out of Miss Invincible and €50k for a son of Flemensfirth.

Denis Paul Murphy from Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, is one of the shrewdest operators around and he went close to €200k for seven horses that will be watched with interest next spring.

Richard Black from Bunclody has a great strike rate from a small string and had four winners last season from just eight runners. He will have high hopes for the son of Jeremy for which he went to €72k, and he picked up a Fame and Glory offspring for €40k.

Rider Harley Dunne was quite active, being involved with four purchases, and Rob James, third in this year’s riders’ championship, went to €45k for a son of Stowaway.

I also noted Pierce Power from The Hook, Paul Pierce from Killurin, Shirley Berry from Tomhaggard, Kieran Roche from Adamstown, and recent Stable Staff Award winner, James Rath from Screen, among the buyers.

The dream of finding the next star of the jumping scene at a reasonable price is a potent driving force and will fuel all the hard work that will be done in the coming months preparing these horses for action.

Good luck to them all.