Derby Sale Domination at the Dublin Racing Festival

There was phenomenal Grade 1 success for Derby Sale graduates at the Dublin Racing Festival, with three of the weekend’s biggest prizes going the way of Brighterdaysahead, Romeo Coolio and Doctor Steinberg – all graduates of Ireland’s Premier Store Sale.

The Irish Champion Hurdle saw Brighterdaysahead secure her fourth Grade 1 success, and provided trainer Gordon Elliott with a second victory, and owners Gigginstown House Stud with a third win in the prestigious contest.

It was a tenth career win for the outstanding mare, whose career earnings broke through the €500,000 mark after Saturday’s success.

Brighterdaysahead has been a headline maker ever since she set the record of being the highest priced mare ever to sell at the Derby Sale. She was consigned by John Bleahen’s Lakefield Farm in June 2022, and it was her trainer Gordon Elliott that purchased her for €310,000.

Now a four-time Grade 1 winner, she remains an outstanding flagbearer for the Derby Sale, and will head to the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next month with leading claims of becoming the first mare to win the race since Derby Sale graduate Honeysuckle.

Romeo Coolio was the second part of a Gordon Elliott Grade 1 weekend double, as the KTDA Racing-owned seven-year-old maintained his unbeaten record over fences in the Grade 1 Irish Arkle.

It was a third top level success for the 2022 Derby Sale graduate, who was notching a seventh career success, and following up his win in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase in December.

He was sold by Louise Kemble’s Clononeen Stud to Monbeg Stabes for €92,000 in June 2022, and after winning his four-year-old maiden at Belclare just nine months after being sold, he became the top priced horse at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival Sale when purchased by Aidan O’Ryan and Gordon Elliott for £420,000.

Connections are keeping their options open with him ahead of next month’s Cheltenham Festival, where he has entries in both the Arkle and Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, while also having a Ryanair Chase entry.

Doctor Steinberg led home a Derby Sale 1-2 in the Grade 1 Nathanial Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle, and in turn became the second successive graduate to win the race after Final Demand landed the contest twelve months ago.

It was a hugely impressive performance from the son of Doctor Dino, who powered clear of a deep field and came home with eight lengths to spare on the runner up.

It was third successive win over hurdles for the six-year-old, who on his previous start won a Grade 2 contest, and he looks a horse of immense potential that will make his presence felt whatever route connections opt to take with him.

He is the latest star to emerge from Walter Connors’ Sluggara Farm nursery in Cappoquin, a consignor that is renowned for producing top class jumping prospects.

He was purchased from Sluggara Farm by Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins at the 2023 Derby Sale for €95,000, and holds entries in the Turners and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle saw the Joseph O’Brien-trained Talk The Talk win a thrilling renewal of the contest, with the five-year-old prevailing by the narrowest of margins. It was a memorable success for owners Isaac Souede and Simon Munir, both of whom were in attendance to enjoy the success.

Elsewhere across the weekend, there was Grade 2 success for Broadway Ted in the concluding bumper on Sunday. The son of Getaway was sold as a foal by Hillview Stud, on behalf of Ashroe Stud at the 2021 November National Hunt Sale, and is out of the dual Grade 3 winning mare Morning Run.

He was purchased by the late Kieran Lennon in November 2021, and was the top priced lot in the Springhill Dispersal Sale when bought from Marie Harding’s Glen Stables by David L’Estrange.

Broadway Ted was ridden to victory by Tattersalls Ireland bloodstock inspector Barry O’Neill.

The undercard at Leopardstown featured some hugely valuable handicaps, and two of those were plundered by Derby Sale graduates.

Backmersackme won the Grade 3 Handicap Chase for owner Paul Byrne and trainer Emmet Mullins. The dual graduate was purchased at the 2022 Derby Sale from Stone Farm by Blackhall Stables, having previously being purchased at the 2019 November National Hunt Sale.

Jacob’s Ladder secured his second success over fences, and his fifth in total when coming home five lengths clear of his rivals to provide owners Gigginstown House Stud with their second victory of the weekend.

He was purchased from Springmount Stud by former rider Peter Buchanen’s Tullybeg at the 2022 Derby Sale, after previously being sold at the 2019 November National Hunt Sale.

Inspections for the 2026 Derby Sale are now underway, with entries set to close on April 22nd.