Derby Sale Success in Irish Grand National

Soldier In Milan became the 13^th Derby Sale graduate to win Ireland’s most valuable National Hunt race as he came home 16 lengths clear in the €500,000 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

The seven-year-old was consigned by Mount Eaton Stud at the 2022 Derby Sale, where Cormac Doyle purchased him for €68,000. He made his debut between the flags in March 2024 at Monksgrange, and immediately he looked well above average, as he easily won his five-year-old maiden.

He was a first runner in the prestigious race for trainer Emmet Mullins and owner Paul Byrne, and the manner of his victory will leave his connections dreaming of bigger targets over the coming seasons.

He had also been sold as a foal at Tattersalls Ireland when consigned by his Youghal based breeder Gerard Coleman at the 2019 November National Hunt Sale, where he was purchased by Tom and John Hore.

Remarkably, the son of Soldier Of Fortune had not made his racecourse debut this time last year, but the shrewd decision by connections to bypass a novice campaign over hurdles this season has paid rich dividends, as he defied his lack of experience in what appeared a hugely competitive renewal.

Soldier In Milan was adding his name to an illustrious list of Derby Sale graduates that have won the Fairyhouse feature, including Thunder And Roses, Shutthefrontdoor and Point Barrow. 

Entries remain open for the 2026 Derby Sale, which last year saw 38 lots exceeding the €100,000 mark, and 12 lots selling for €150,000 or more.

All horses catalogued are eligible for the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland MSL Mercedes-Benz Sales Bumper, run at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. The vendor of the winning horse will drive away in a luxurious Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Grade 1 Glory for Fleur In The Park

The Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse produced a fantastic story as the Winter Flat & National Hunt Sale graduate Fleur In The Park provided trainer Andrew Slattery and rider Cian Quirke with their first top level successes.

The son of Walk In The Park, owned by Margaret O’Rourke, possess a top-class pedigree with his dam being a Grade 1 winning four-year-old in France named Fleur d’Ainay.

He was bred by Kevin and Noel Heaney outside Cashel, and consigned by Francis Quinns’ Railstown Stables as a yearling at the 2020 Winter Flat and National Hunt Sale.

It was January 2020 when the Slattery team purchased him, and from the outset he has been consistent, winning a four-year-old bumper on debut, and finishing second twice in Grade 2 company as a novice hurdler.

But on Sunday he gained a deserved breakthrough at Grade 1 level. He was ridden patiently throughout, and delivered to lead on the approach to the final fence.

The Slattery team are renowned for producing quality stock across all disciplines, but rather significantly, trainer Andrew Slattery referred to the success as “his biggest day by a mile.”