MBF Desert Dancer sold to Oliver Townend
This year’s Monart Sale saw the average price rise from €11,000 in 2018 to €13,000, setting a new record for the sale that enters its 10th year. 63 of the 90 horses presented to the auction were sold, bringing total auction sales to over €800,000.
“I was delighted with this year’s sale. Any sale where your clearance rate is over 70% is a good sale and the fact our average price was the highest it has ever been is a nice bonus. We had some amazing horses in it who have gone on to some fabulous riders, so we are very excited to see how they progress over the coming years.” says organiser Niall Griffin.
Prior to Wednesday’s auction the organising team had discussed how the quality of horses presented to that sale increases each year. “We had over 300 3-year-olds come forward, and the quality has increased year on year. This year we’ve truly been able to pick the best of the best. Buyers will see that this year’s catalogue has a higher percentage of thoroughbred blood than previous years.”
The 2019 top lot, 011, knocked down at €30,000 to reigning world number 1 Oliver Townend. The stunning 3-year-old chestnut gelding MBF Desert Dancer was noted as ‘having all the blood, scope, movement and temperament to make a top-class horse.’ The new acquisition by Townend shares the same sire, Ramiro B, as his back-to-back Kentucky CCI5* winner and European Championship’s ride Cooley Master Class.
The sale, held at the Conde Naste voted worldwide top 3 spa resort, has attracted a number of notable buyers including Aoife Clark (IRL), Kai Ruder (GER), Julia Mestern (GER), Emily King & Sam Ecroyd (GBR) Vicky Tuffs (GBR), Karl Slezak (CAN), David Britnell (GBR), Giovanni Ugalotti (ITA), Vicky Brake (GBR), Trish and Michael Ryan (IRL) and Susie Berry (IRL). While the likes of Michael Jung & Astier Nicolas were underbidders on several lots during the evening, Astier however did secure lot 108 for one of his clients.
Niall Griffins added “I have no doubt there are several horses that were sold on Wednesday that will like so many before them become household names in our sport.”
A full round up of all sold lots can be found at www.themonartsale.com/sale-results/
