Shanagh Bob Strikes for Grade 2 Success

Trained by Nicky Henderson, Shanagh Bob is an Irish point-to-point recruit having won at Ballindenisk in December 2022. He was a store sale purchase by Chris O’Donovan 16 months prior to his point-to-point victory for €10,000, from Caroreigh Farm.

There was success for two Derby Sale graduates at Cheltenham on Friday with Go Dante and White Rhino landing hotly contested handicap hurdles.

Go Dante was initially purchased as a foal at the 2016 November National Hunt Sale, but then returned to Tattersalls Ireland three years later and was purchased at the Derby Sale from Oak Tree Farm by Aiden and Olly Murphy.

White Rhino is a rapidly improving handicapper and won for a fifth time this year over hurdles under Henry Brooke. Jointly trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the son of Doyen is from the family of five-time Grade 1 winner Carlingford Lough and the 2005 Ryanair Chase winner Thisthatandtother.

He was purchased for €40,000 at the 2019 Derby Sale by the late Gerry Griffin from Boardsmill Stud, and connections stated afterwards that the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival is a long-term target.

Elsewhere over the weekend, there was more Derby Sale graduate success with The Enabler winning what is traditionally a strong listed bumper at Navan. The son of Walk In The Park was offered at the 2022 Derby Sale, and looks an exciting type moving forward for Gigginstown House Stud.

Derby Sale graduate Chigorin got off the mark on his second start over obstacles at Fairyhouse on Saturday. He was purchased in June 2021 for €90,000 from Springfield House Stud by Rahinston Stud, and triumphed in the hands of Rachael Blackmore.

The Pat-Foley trained Miss Mini Bee made a successful racecourse debut in the Fairyhouse bumper, running out a five-length winner. She was purchased at the 2022 Derby Sale for €35,000 from Stone Farm.

Castle Ivers, owned by Bective Stud, was another Derby Sale graduate to make a successful racecourse debut. Trained by Olly Murphy, the son of Malinas won at Southwell, while he was purchased for €25,000 at the 2022 Derby Sale by D J Bloodstock from Ballincurrig House Stud. He had previously been purchased at the 2019 November National Hunt Sale from Longshill Stables by Eimear Fallon.    

Nominations are now being taken for the 2024 Store Sales.