Caldwell Potter became the most expensive National Hunt horse ever sold at public auction on Monday after fetching €740,000 at Andy and Gemma Brown’s Tattersalls Ireland dispersal at Fairyhouse.

The couple, who run their horses under the Caldwell Construction banner, shocked the racing world late last month when announcing they were to sell their entire string.

Caldwell Potter was the star attraction among 29 lots to go under the hammer, having already shown top-level form over obstacles for Gordon Elliott to go with his excellent pedigree.

The six-year-old son of Martaline is not only a full-brother to Mighty Potter, who won four Grade Ones for Elliott and the Browns before suffering a fatal injury last year, but his dam Matnie has also produced three other high-class performers in French Dynamite, Indiana Jones and Brighterdaysahead.

Caldwell Potter has so far lived up to his breeding, winning three times from seven starts in all and two of his first three outings over hurdles, including a Grade 1 success on his most recent appearance in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

Following a slow start the bidding eventually got under way at €100,000 before ultimately ending up in a tense straight shootout between Highflyer Bloodstock's Anthony Bromley and trainer Gordon Elliott, who was standing with Eddie O'Leary of Gigginstown House Stud.

The packed sales ring fell silent after the auctioneer confirmed a €700,000 bid, and while a counter offer of €720,000 was made, the hammer eventually went down at €740,000, with Highflyer immediately announced as the successful bidder.

Bromley later told the media the horse would be trained by Paul Nicholls, for owners John Hales, Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson and Fred Done.

"You just don't get these rare commodities come on the market," Bromley said. "My heart was skyrocketing when I was watching El Fabiolo jumping at Leopardstown yesterday, but this was far more nerve-wracking!

“I have bought him for great clients John Hales, Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson and Peter Done, who have a lovely horse in Kalif Du Berlais and this horse will join him at Paul Nicholls.”

Of the individual, Bromley continued: "He is standout, a lovely horse, I loved him as a youngster as a store. I have watched his career closely – he has only been running over two miles yet he looks a stayer. He may potentially be a Gold Cup horse, long term.

"I can't say what plans Paul will have for the horse and we will see how it all works out, obviously there are the Cheltenham entries and Aintree would be a consideration, but he has been bought really as a chaser of the future.”

Caldwell Potter’s fee eclipses the previous record for a jumps horse sold at auction in Interconnected, who was bought by Darren Yates at Doncaster in 2019 for £620,000.

Later in the session, the six-year-olds Fil Dor and Pied Piper sold for €620,000 and €570,000 respectively. Both horses will be staying with Gordon Elliott. Bloodstock agent Mags O'Toole bought Fil Dor and though she did not disclose her client, there is speculation that it could be for Brian Acheson's Robcour.

Pied Piper was purchased by Windgates Stud on behalf of a new syndicate. Timmy Hillman was with the purchasing group, which went head-to-head and outbattled Eddie O’Leary for the son of New Approach, and he said: “This is a gorgeous horse and will be one for the staying races on the flat and top class hurdle races. He is going back to Gordon's, who has been so successful with him. It is for a new syndicate who were keen to have a real decent dual-purpose type."

Eddie O'Leary of Gigginstown House Stud paid €510,000 for recent maiden hurdle winner Staffordshire Knot, while Highflyer bought the four-year-old Mighty Bandit for €420,000.

In total the 29 horses sold realised a total of €5,290,000.

Gordon Elliott was the day's leading purchaser, spending €1,315,000 on four horses - Chemical Energy, Doctor Elvis, Staffordshire Knot and Sa Fureur.

Elliott commented: "I was disappointed to lose the big horse, but that is the way it is – hopefully he will be lucky for the new owners. Pied Piper is coming back and we have got all the ones we wanted apart from Caldwell Potter.

"Staffordshire Knot is an exciting six-year-old and we are delighted we have bought him. The horses all looked great – we only had a week's notice for this sale and it is a credit to the staff."

Simon Kerins, CEO of Tattersalls Ireland, said: "First and foremost, I extend my sincere gratitude to Andy and Gemma Brown, as well as Joey Logan, for entrusting us with their dispersal sale, it has been an honour.

“I would like to express my appreciation to Gordon Elliott and his team – every single horse in this draft has been produced looking in superb order and, finally, the Tattersalls Ireland team for turning this sale around at such speed. It is testament to the team’s professionalism and hard work, proof of the flexibility that we have and ability to act as the industry requires.

“The sale has been a phenomenal success and the figures paid have been mind blowing. We knew these horses would be in high demand given their proven level of form, and all the big players were here today.

“We look forward to watching today’s sales horses going on to achieve great things on the racecourse, and we hope to see the Browns return to the racing scene in the near future.

“We now look ahead to the National Hunt Store season and inspections, which, of course, will be highlighted by the 50th year of the industry-leading Derby Sale on June 26-27th.”

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