THE pandemic changed bloodstock sales in several ways, most notably the explosion in the number of online sales which now seem to be part of the furniture.

During those two years in which sales were often moved or cancelled at short notice, one of the oddities was the staging of National Hunt sales at Park Paddocks in Newmarket. These were mainly point-to-point horses, relocated from Tattersalls Cheltenham, but it has led to the creation of a new jumps sale in the home of flat racing.

Taking place next Thursday, the Tattersalls May National Hunt Sale will see over 50 stores offered along with 27 point-to-pointers and two horses in training.

Slotting in between this week’s sale at Doncaster and the upcoming store horse sales at Goffs and Fairyhouse, the sale is positioning itself as a high-class auction. It already has the support of some leading vendors, such as Mark Dwyer’s Oaks Farm Stables, the Hillman family’s Castledillon Stud, Philip Hore’s Mount Eaton Stud, Peter Nolan, Paul and Sara Thorman’s Trickledown Stud, and Violet Hesketh and Mimi Wadham’s WH Bloodstock.

The horses in-training section includes three from the estate of the late Ann & Alan Potts, including the high-class chaser Sizing Pottsie. Point-to-point winner Ittack Blue is another to note.

Sales held at Tattersalls Park Paddocks in Newmarket have proven to be a prolific source of top-class National Hunt horses over the last 18 months.

Knight Salute and Pied Piper, the one-two in the Aintree Grade 1 Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle, were bought last year for 14,000gns at the Tattersalls July Sale and 225,000gns at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale respectively.

The relocated Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales also saw Cheltenham Festival victor Love Envoi, winner of the Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, bought for £38,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham March Sale and Grade 1 Champion Bumper second American Mike bought for £195,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham April Sale.

Catalogue highlights

Lot 4: Royal Defender, 4yo gelding by Soldier Of Fortune, won Dawstown PTP by 10 lengths.

Lot 8: Ittack Blue, 4yo gelding by Coastal Path, won Punchestown PTP by 16 lengths.

Lot 28: Divilskin, 4yo gelding by Doyen, made a winning debut at Largy PTP.

Lot 93: Sizing Pottsie, 8yo gelding by Kapgarde, Grade 2 chase winner this year.

Lot 107: Sixties Icon 3yo gelding, half-brother to three winners including eight-time winner Sgt Reckless.

Lot 111: Getaway 3yo filly, out of Grade 3 winner Mae’s Choice, already dam of two winners, including last week’s bumper winner Saylavee.

Lot 115: Diamond Boy 3yo gelding, out of French blacktype winner Myakoda, already dam of two winners.

Lot 117: Kapgarde 3yo gelding, out of French blacktype mare, from family of six-time winner Enfant De Lune.

Lot 122: Walk In The Park 3yo gelding, out of an unraced half-sister to Monalee, already dam of a winner.

Lot 134: Mahler 3yo gelding, half-brother to five-time winner Crooks Peak.

Lot 137: Milan 3yo gelding, out of Presenting mare who won a point-to-point and is out of Grade 1 winner Blazing Liss.

Lot 143: Jack Hobbs 3yo gelding, out of blacktype winner Doubly Guest, already dam of three winners.

Lot 146: Soldier Of Fortune 3yo gelding, out of listed bumper winner Funny Times, already dam of three winners including five-time winner and listed-placed Mrs Hyde.

Sale info

Sale: Tattersalls May NH Sale at Newmarket

Date: 11am, Thursday, May 26th

Lots: 62 stores and 30 horses in training/point-to-pointers catalogued. More may be added by Monday, May 23rd. Stores will be offered first.

Info: A new sale offering stores, point-to-pointers and horses in training

Tel: 0044 1638 665931

Email: info@tattersalls.com

Web: tattersalls.com