Only The Bold headlines the Cheltenham February Sale

At the very sale where this year’s leading Cheltenham Festival contenders Envoi Allen and Asterion Forlonge sold to their connections, the February sale once again witnessed solid trade with the aggregate concluding on £2,367,000, the median on £60,000 and the average on £78,900. The clearance rate finished on 75%. 

Only The Bold (Lot 30) made a big impression when taking the five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Tyrella. The Warren Ewing-trained winner displayed a nice blend of both speed and stamina which highlights him as an exciting sort. The son of Jeremy will now head to trainer Evan Williams after being knocked down for £210,000. 

Brandy Love (Lot 41) made the perfect start to her racing career when winning at the first time of asking with a taking display at Cragmore for Colin Bowe. The daughter of Jet Away was the only mare amongst a six-runner field of newcomers and she got into a lovely rhythm at the head of affairs in this contest. Bids for the mare came from Gordon Elliott and Aidan O’Ryan, Matt Coleman, Tom Malone and was eventually knocked down to Harold Kirk standing with Willie Mullins who secured her for £200,000. 

Guardino (Lot 26) posted a very credible debut performance when beaten only three-and-a-half lengths in a competitive four-year-old maiden at Oldtown. The son of Authorized, consigned by Denis Murphy’s Ballyboy Stables fetched £170,000 and is sold to Highflyer Bloodstock and trainer Ben Pauling. 

Glenglass (Lot 25) posted an eye-catching debut performance when taking the four-year-old maiden at Tallow. The son of Ocavango is a half-brother to two black type-placed performers in Flementime and Mrs Hyde and his dam Funny Times was also placed at black type level, she in turn is a sister to the dam of Relegate. A €42,000 Tattersalls Derby sales store purchase consigned by Colin Bowe’s Milestone Stables, he realised £155,000 to Aidan O’Ryan and Gordon Elliott. 

At the conclusion of the sale, Matt Prior, Head of Cheltenham Sales commented; 

“This sale has produced two of the most exciting horses this season in Envoi Allen and Asterion Forlonge. As a result of this, we welcomed a large selection of Irish and UK trainers and agents which produced.

“We now look forward to the Cheltenham Festival where we will host our next sale after racing on Thursday 12 March, as well as cheering on our many graduates who hold leading chances for the week.”