THERE were ‘ominous signs’ for his rivals as Willie Mullins made a scene spending over £1million at a sales proven for Cheltenham Festival winners.
The Closutton boss signed for nine horses in all with top lot among his purchases being a Nathaniel gelding out of former Nicky Henderson mare Floressa.
Willie Mullins and right-hand man Harold Kirk splashed more than £1million on top talent at the Tattersalls Derby Sale – a proven hunting ground for Cheltenham Festival winners
Mullins has had two Nathaniels before and both have won at the Festival.
Burning Victory won the infamous 2020 Triumph Hurdle that saw Goshen unship Jamie Moore at the last when miles clear.
While the late Concertista won the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle the same year.
But they were out of Flat mares, whereas this new kid on the block is bred for the jumping game.
Every Willie Mullins purchase
By Sam Morgan
The reigning Irish and British champion jumps trainer bought nine horses at the sales all in all. Here they are in full:
£150,000 – Nathaniel gelding out of Nicky Henderson’s Listed-winning jumps mare Floressa
£140,000 – Messire Corton – half-bro to Grade 1 winner Black Corton
£135,000 – Fontaine L’Abbe – a three-year-old gelding by Goliath Du Berlais
£128,000 – Miss Mam – a Masked Marvel filly
£120,000 – Crystal Ocean gelding
£111,000 – Masked L’As – a three-year-old Masked Marvel gelding out of a Listed-winning mare
£105,000 – Mystic Des Bordes – same granddam as Kopek Des Bordes
£102,000 – Mystere Du Chenet – a three-year-old Doctor Dino gelding
£50,000 – King Of The Blue – gelding related to former Listed Prix Wild Monarch winner Fiumicino
Total spend: £1,041,000
Mullins and his sales guru Harold Kirk went to a shade over £150,000 to land lot 138 who, through his dam’s sire Poliglote, can be linked to current Mullins superstar Fact To File as well as former champs Politologue and Don Poli.
The three-year-old gelding was immediately given a future target – the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland MSL Mercedes-Benz Sales Bumper in December.
The second most expensive purchase made by the all-conquering trainer was £140,000 Messire Corton – a half-brother to Black Corton.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Black Corton put Bryony Frost on the map and was a 14-time winner including the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton.
Of the nine purchases Mullins made only one that cost less than £100,000.
Mullins had three Cheltenham Festival winners from this sale last year alone in the shape of Kopek Des Bordes, Lecky Watson and Final Demand.
It’s clearly been a happy hunting ground for him and he told Tattersalls about why he loves this sale so much.
He said: “I’ve got a nice few horses – it’s been a lucky place for us.
“I like the type of horses that are sold here and they’ve been good to us – so why change?
“The Nathaniel gelding is out of a jumping pedigree – we’ve had two Cheltenham winners out of Nathaniel with a Flat pedigree.
“We’re very happy with the purchases. Goliath Du Berlais is a nice stallion coming through too and we always look at his stock.
“I get Harold to do all the work!
“Sales are not my first love so he’s quite busy for the two or three days before the sales, he whittles them down, we have a look and we make a decision then when they’re in the ring.
“I’m very happy with the value I’m getting here.
“I’ll put saddles on these horses as soon as I can. Why let them go out in a field?
“I believe in getting stuck into them straight away.”
Kirk added: “We’ve bought more horses here this year than we ever have.
“If you go back years we had Cousin Vinny, Wicklow Brave and Pique Sous from this sale.”
The duo didn’t have it all their own way, though.
Mullins and Kirk backed off as the hammer came down on a £180,000 Walk In The Park gelding snapped up by Olly Murphy’s dad Aiden.
And top lot of the entire two-day sales went to Dan Skelton.
It was sweet revenge somewhat for Skelton, who was pipped at the death by Mullins in the British champion jumps trainer table.
Skelton went to just shy of £250,000 to buy another Walk In The Park gelding – fighting off competition from Meg Nicholls.
Mullins has had a busy few days having saddled a winner at Royal Ascot as well.
He was in the Royal Procession on Saturday – hours before Sober claimed the Queen Alexandra under Ryan Moore.
Mullins will take aim at a number of the money-spinning Flat races over the summer, possibly with King Charles’ horse Reaching High.
He looked to be travelling incredibly well in the Ascot Stakes but couldn’t find a run through when it mattered most.
He’s also been keeping tabs on the sales, with his most expensive purchase of the season so far being the £300,000 paid for the hugely promising Poetisa.
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
