DESPITE a smaller catalogue this year, the one-day Tattersalls Ireland February NH Sale on Tuesday saw total spending increase by 13% on last year to €1,882,794, while the median of €7,500 and average of €11,480 grew by 4% and 17% respectively.

Tuesday's top price was €62,000 paid by Ciaran Conroy's Genvale Stud for a Flemensfirth yearling colt consigned by Kenilworth House Stud.

"He is lovely sort," said Conroy. "He is by a very good stallion, and out of a mare by the good broodmare sire King's Theatre."

Gerry Ross of Kenilworth, with Diana Vasicek, were all smiles. "We did not enter him for the November Sale as he was a May foal, he has done so well over the winter. We bought the grand-dam Erintante, the dam of Theatre Guide, from Francois Doumen. Erins Benefit, the four-year-old half-sister to this colt, is in pre-training and we will look to run her in a bumper. The mare is back in-foal to Shantou, and will likely be rested for next year."

There was a small number of broodmares on offer, headed by the prolific Solita, winner of seven races for trainer Paul Nolan. Not yet covered, she was sold for €58,000 to Donal White of Rathbarry and Glenview Studs.

White said: "She is a sweet mare and ticked all the right boxes - she has size and scope and was a top-class racemare. I bought her for Rathbarry Stud to go to our new stallion Karpino. He won over seven furlongs and a mile so will inject a bit of speed into the pedigree. She is a good cross for Karpino who is by Cape Cross out of a half-sister to Milan."

Richard Frisby, who was so active at the Goffs December Sale, was also prominent here and paid €47,500 for a yearling colt by Martaline.

The three-parts brother to last Saturday's Cleeve Hurdle winner Agrapart was sold by Patrick Fennessy of Ballinaroone Stud.

"I bought the dam in training in France," said Fennessy. "This foal has been a lovely individual from day one, very straightforward, very athletic.

"He did have an entry in the November Sale, but I didn't feel he was just ready at that point, he was growing."

The breeder has more of the family at home and the mare is due to visit Annshoon Stud's Pillar Coral this spring, the Zamindar half-brother to Martaline.

Kieran Shields gave €46,000 for a Saddler Maker colt consigned by Gaynestown Stud on behalf of Padraic Donohoe. The dam Melancholy Hill is a full-sister to five-time winner Bobs Pride.

A Mahler yearling full-brother to the Grade 2 winner Sutton Place made €38,000, purchased by Noel Guiry. Sold by Beeches Stud, the colt and his older brother were both bred by James Leahy.

Sutton Place is due to run in the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.

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