GRADE 1 SUCCESS FOR DERBY SALE PURCHASES IDENTITY THIEF & NO MORE HEROES

The son of Kayf Tara was bought for €40,000 by Gordon Elliott on behalf of owners Gigginstown House Stud at the 2013 Derby Sale, having been consigned by Hardwood Stud. The five-year-old was also purchased at the 2010 November National Hunt Sale as a foal by Ian Ferguson for €15,000 when offered by his breeder, Cathal Ennis’ Quill Farm.

€57,000 Derby Sale purchase NO MORE HEROES produced a display of impeccable jumping to win the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Unbeaten over the larger obstacles, Gigginstown House Stud’s exciting Novice Chaser is now favourite for the RSA at the Cheltenham Festival in March. The son of Presenting was sold at the 2012 Derby Sale by Goldford Stud on behalf of Richard Haggas to trainer Gordon Elliott for €57,000. NO MORE HEROES also passed through the ring at the November National Hunt Sale on two additional occasions, at the 2010 sale when sold as a yearling to Richard Haggas by Ballincurrig House Stud for €48,000 and as a foal at the 2009 sale, selling to Alan Aherne by Russellstown Stud on behalf of breeder Peter Downes.

At Newbury on Saturday, August National Hunt Sale graduate THISTLECRACK made a big impression by beating stiff competition to win the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle by an impressive six lengths. Colin Tizzard’s Grade 1 Novice Hurdler made his transition into open company look easy and thus justifying his credentials for the upcoming World Hurdle at the Festival.

THISTLECRACK was sold at the 2011 August National Hunt Sale by Derrymore House on behalf of John McDonald for €43,000 to his owner John Snook. He was also bought as a foal at Tattersalls Ireland when Mr McDonald purchased the son of Kayf Tara at the 2008 November National Hunt Sale for €32,000 from Cobhall Court Stud.