Fifth Top Level Success For Jonbon

Jonbon cemented his place as one of the top two-mile chasers with an authoritative display in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown. It was a fifth win at Grade 1 level for the Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old, and he remains a leading player for two-mile honours at Cheltenham later in the season. 

The son of Walk In The Park was purchased at the 2019 Derby Sale by Paul Holden and Michael Shefflin for €140,000 from Church View Stables. 

There was Grade 2 success for another Derby Sale graduate at Sandown, with the Paul Nicholls-trained Stay Away Fay proving too strong for his three rivals in the Esher Novice Chase. It was a strong staying performance from the son of Shantou, who was winning in the colours of Chris Giles and Dave Staddon.

A Grade 1 winning Cheltenham Festival novice hurdler last season, Stay Away Fay was purchased at the 2020 Derby Sale by Hamish Macauley, Ballycrystal Stables and Mikey Doyle for £39,000 from Oaks Farm Stables.     

Stay Away Fay was purchased by current connections at the 2021 Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale, while he was purchased as a foal at the 2017 November National Hunt Sale by Oaks Farm from Hillview Stud.   

There was graduate success in the Grade 2 Mares Novice Chase at Cork, with the Con O’Keeffe-trained Silent Approach taking the spoils in the hands of Danny Mullins. 

The daughter of Walk In The Park is out of the unraced Kilbarry Demon, who’s also produced Derby Sale and Grade 3 winning novice chaser Journey With Me. Trainer O’Keeffe was also the successful breeder and owner, and Silent Approach was making it two wins from two starts over fences. 

She was purchased for €90,000 at the 2021 Derby Sale by Sue Magnier, Linda Shanahan and Aiden Murphy. 

Gigginstown House Stud secured victory in the Listed Handicap Chase with the Derby Sale graduate Embittered. It was a fifth career win for the son of Fame And Glory, and formed the first part of a double for Gordon Elliott. He was purchased for €46,000 from Rathvin Stud by Mags O'Toole and Noel Meade.

Another Derby Sale graduate to win over the weekend was the Gordon Elliott-trained No Time To Wait. Purchased in 2021 from Glenwood Stud by Joey Logan Bloodstock for €150,000, the son of Walk In The Park ran out a six-length winner in the hands of Jack Kennedy. 

Prior to being purchased at the 2019 Derby Sale, No Time To Wait was sold previously at the February National Hunt Sale by Sheridan House Stables to Glenwood Stud. 

In the point-to-point field, there was graduate success for Rosscahill who scored in the 4yo Geldings Maiden at Boulta. Sold for €26,000 by Liss House at the 2022 May Store Sale to Shane Fitzgerald and John O’Halloran, the son of Malinas won by an easy six lengths. He had previously been bought by Liss House at the November National Hunt Sale as a foal from Coolfin Farm.     

Nominations are now being taken for the 2024 Store Sales.