TATTERSALLS Ireland expect to publish the catalogue early next week for the dispersal sale of all racehorses owned by Andy and Gemma Brown, which will take place the following Monday, February 5th, at 3pm.

The Browns, whose horses run under the Caldwell Construction banner, have cited the recent sad losses of young horses as the reason for their shock exit from the sport.

Recent Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Caldwell Diamond will be among 29 horses owned by the couple to be offered for sale at Fairyhouse on Monday week.

From Stoke, the Browns have emerged as significant racehorse owners in the National Hunt scene in recent years, enjoying top-level success with Mighty Potter and a Cheltenham Festival winner in Jazzy Matty last year.

However, they have also had more than their fair share of bad luck. Four-time Grade 1 winner Mighty Potter was fatally injured at Fairyhouse last Easter and just this week the Browns lost another promising young horse in D B Cooper.

On Thursday evening came the shock news that the Browns have decided to put all their racing stock on the market, including Caldwell Potter, who is among the favourites for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, following his six-length win in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown over Christmas.

The Browns also own high-class jumpers Pied Piper and Fil Dor, talented novice chasers Imagine and Sa Fureur, juvenile hurdler Mighty Bandit and the progressive mare Mollys Mango, plus this week’s Down Royal winner Staffordshire Knot. Firm Footings and Chemical Energy are two other multiple winners to carry their colours. All of their horses are trained by Gordon Elliott and they have had 12 winners in Ireland so far this season.

Posting on social media, the owners said: “Further to the sad loss of one of our young horses D B Cooper again as a family we are absolutely heartbroken. Also we lost Smooth Player only just two weeks ago. Having a young family it’s hard to cope with such losses and therefore we feel it is time for a break from the sport.

“We would also like to thank Gordon and his team for their hard work and support the last few years and wish them all the best.”

Joey Logan, racing manager for the Browns, told the Nick Luck podcast: “We had numerous calls this week from agents, trainers and owners trying to buy the horses privately. But, to be fair to everyone, none of them will race or change hands prior to the sale, where everyone can view and buy them. The Browns have explained their decision and there is no need to add anything to that. They are a young couple, in their 40s and busy with their business and children. I have no doubt this is not the end of their involvement in racing. It might take some time but I have no doubt they will be back in the game.”

Simon Kerins, CEO of Tattersalls Ireland, said: “It’s a privilege to be entrusted with selling this group of high-profile racehorses. The talking horse is Caldwell Potter but there are a lot of other graded winners in there and a few unraced horses. We hope to publish the full list after the weekend and it looks like the sale will be at 3pm on the bank holiday Monday (February 5th) with viewing in the morning. Buyers can also bid online.”

Caldwell winners

Although the catalogue had not been published at time of going to press, the following horses have won for Caldwell Construction this season.

BROWNS’ BIG DAYS

Caldwell Potter: Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle

Imagine: Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase

Jazzy Matty: Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Sa Fureur: Grade 3 Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle

Fil Dor: Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle, Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle, Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle

Mighty Potter: Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase, Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase, Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle, Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle

Pied Piper: Grade 2 WKD Hurdle, Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial