IT was unsurprising to see Walk In The Park’s progeny post the highest average price of an Irish sire at the two major store sales, having held the title of champion sire of the 2023/2024 season. His first crop conceived at Grange Stud are only seven-year-olds, and the promise of more to come saw those buying to resell among the big spenders last month.

Seven lots by Walk In The Park sold for €100,000 and upwards last month, a number only bettered by No Risk At All at eight. Unfortunately for Irish breeders, French sires dominated the highest-priced lots at both sales, with the next best tally of six-figure sales coming in at two by Poet’s Word.

The achievement is notable given that these are Poet’s Word’s first crop since moving to Boardsmill Stud, having stood one previous season at Nunnery Stud. That first crop has produced six winners from nine runners on the flat, while his two National Hunt performers are debut second Tralee Bay and maiden hurdle winner Pacini, who finished second in a Grade 3 juvenile hurdle.

His stud mate Court Cave had just three offered at the same sales, but their average price of €42,667 exceed expectations from a covering fee of €4,000. The unraced brother to Beat Hollow proved himself from humble beginnings, as did Kedrah House Stud’s 25-year-old stalwart Well Chosen. The sire of Jury Duty stood for €6,000 in 2020 and a trio from that resulting crop sold for an average price of €41,000 last month.

Exceeding expectations

Others proving themselves from limited opportunities are Whytemount Stud’s Affinisea and Glenview Stud’s new recruit Jeu St Eloi. Both stood for less than €3,000 when this year’s stores were conceived, and 11 lots by each commanded an average exceeding €55,000 at the Arkle and Derby Sales. Both now stand for private but presumably higher fees.

The prices will have delighted those with two-year-olds by Affinisea, as he covered 324 mares in 2021, though it is concerning that only 11 of his progeny sold at the two major store sales, given that he covered 211 mares in 2020.

Jeu St Eloi’s current three-year-olds hail from a crop of 89, which was a career-high when standing at Haras de Cercy. The son of Saint Des Saints has reportedly been extremely popular at his new base with the Cashman family, with breeders encouraged by 14 blacktype performers from his first four crops.

Irish sires holding their own

Kilbarry Lodge Stud’s Con O’Keeffe was another who sourced a stallion quietly impressing in France, and Diamond Boy has rewarded new connections ever since. Two Grade 1 winners followed his purchase, along with his biggest books of mares and a smart start by his first Irish crop, which are now five-year-olds.

His stock’s average of €55,875 earns him second in the standings, but perhaps more importantly, he was responsible for the highest-priced horse by an Irish sire at the Goffs Arkle Sale at €150,000.

Harzand, who moved to Kilbarry Lodge Stud last year, boasted the same achievement at the Derby Sale, courtesy of Tom Malone and Paul Nicholls’ €185,000 purchase. It contributed to an average price of €53,188 for 16 lots sold, bred from a fee of €8,000 at Gilltown Stud. Now commanding €5,000, Harzand enjoyed a terrific few days after the sale as Sharinay won impressively at the Curragh, Plume Noire finished second in another premier handicap, while Cristal Clere claimed runners-up honours in the Listed Lenebane Stakes.

Sires on the up

Jukebox Jury’s first season at Burgage Stud coincided with his first Grade 1 winner Farclas and his first Irish crop are now five-year-olds. The son of Montjeu currently boasts a total of three Grade 1 winners, another three placed at the highest level and a Group 1 winner on the flat. His progression saw buyers spend an average of €52,867 on 11 lots at the Arkle and Derby Sales, they having been bred at a cost of €6,000.

Another sire delivering for breeders is Wings Of Eagles, whose second crop conceived at The Beeches Stud returned an average price of €46,214. Standing for just €3,000 this season, he has impressed with 12 winners from 38 runners from his first Irish four-year-olds, including Colin Bowe’s 18-length winner The Great Nudie.

The McCarthy family’s The Beeches Stud had another reason to celebrate as Crystal Ocean’s first crop commanded an average of €46,500 and sold for up to €120,000.

Another recent addition to the Coolmore NH division is Order Of St George, whose second crop rewarded breeders with an average price of €49,500. Buyers were encouraged by the champion stayer’s seven four-year-old maiden winners, which resold for up to £350,000.