Creighmore Stables

Mícheál O'Brien of Creighmore Stables was in a daze after topping Tuesday's opening session of the Goffs Arkle Sale with a Goliath Du Berlais gelding out of a Muhtathir half-sister to the Grade 3-winning hurdler Raffles Sainte (Saint Des Saints). Offered as lot 201, he was knocked down to Gordon Elliott for €275,000. "It's a serious result for my farm in east Cork. It's not a big place and to turn that sort of money is a big help," said the consignor, who had pinhooked the top lot for €40,000....

The opening day of the Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale saw 10 lots sell for six-figure sums, with a top price of €175,000 given for the already-named Boedic (Fr) (lot 86). Tom Malone struck the opening bid for the No Risk At All (Fr) gelding at €100,000, but it was Harold Kirk, buying for Willie Mullins, who proved to be successful. "That was a bit of a shock!" said Kirk when referencing Malone's starting bid. "This horse was my number one for today. He is by one of my favourite sires...