Impressive debut winner Uncle Pad tops the Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale

Trainer Terence O’Brien of Woodstock Stables enjoyed his biggest result in the ring when selling the five-year-old UNCLE PAD (Lot 5) for £310,000, the highest price given at the February Sale since 2023.

The bids flew in from around the ring for the five-year-old by Vadamos with Dave Phelan, A J O’Neill, Jerry McGrath and Tom Malone all staking a claim, but just one bid from Eddie O’Leary, who was sitting with trainer Gordon Elliott, sealed the deal.

O’Brien admitted that he had been particularly strong on the horse, right from before he had even run.

“He did an exceptional piece of work a couple of weeks before his point-to-point, and I recommended him then; I have never recommended one before he has even run!” said O’Brien.

The horse went on to justify O’Brien’s confidence, running out a comfortable 10l winner in a quick time at Ballyvodock on February 1.

“I bought him at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale from the late Hugh Mulryan. I think this horse is exceptionally good, I have never had a horse at this stage do what he can do, it was just a relief when he won,” he said, adding: “There’s a few lads involved in this horse, and my 14-year-old son Billy had five per cent for a month’s work in the yard, and then wangled another one per cent from another week’s work – it is a good start for him with his first horse!”

Buyer trainer Gordon Elliott said: “Terence does not put many forward, so you take note when he does, and especially when he gives us one before he has run. He is a big horse and will be one for next year.”

CATCHEM BLACK (Lot 26, Affinisea) was an emphatic debut winner earlier this month at Comea, successful in the same maiden won in 2025 by the recent Grade 2 runner-up and Tattersalls Cheltenham graduate Taurus Bay.

Out of Castlekelly Queen (Shantou) from the family of the Grade 1 winners Black Jack Ketchum and Castlekellyleader, Catchem Black was sold by Garrett Murphy of Cudgley Stables.

“Francis [Whelan] and I bought him as a foal, he is a lovely horse and he put in a very good performance to win his point-to-point,” said Murphy. “We have been very lucky with sire – we had Affordale Fury and Only By Night, and they are both Grade 1 performers.”

The four-year-old gelding was bought today by Jerry McGrath and Ben Pauling Racing, with Mags O’Toole as underbidder, and Pauling said: “Jerry was at the point-to-point when he won, he rang me as they came to the last and told me we have got to try and get hold of this fella.

“He was not all out to win and quickened up well from the second last; he is not huge and is one we can think about for a bumper in April.”

He added: “He is for an owner in the yard, who has had shares in horses with me, but this is the first he has had with me outright. I hope the horse is lucky as my client has stuck his neck out for him.”

The Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale has been very good to Pauling, having bought the Grade 1 Arkle winner and Gold Cup entry Jango Baie and The Jukebox Kid, winner of Ascot’s Reynoldstown Novice Chase (G2), in 2023 and 2024.

“I always like the February Sale, it seems to work out timing-wise for us,” he said.

Pauling is also set to receive WELL ACHIEVED (Lot 15), the debut winner of a competitive seven-runner four-year-old maiden at Knockanard on February 15, bought for £200,000 by Jerry McGrath and Hine Law Racing.

The four-year-old son of Milan is out of a Golan half-sister to Grade 1 winner Empire Of Dirt from the family of Be My Belle.

New owner Tony Hine said: “He really stood out to us, and he is a big horse, but he is light on his feet. It is something a bit different to add to our string.

“We have three store horses and we bought Mondoui’boy, who won at Ascot on Saturday, here at the David Maxwell Dispersal, and Loch Ness Pineau at the Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale, too.”

Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales Manager Shirley Anderson-Jolag commented: “To see such high demand from all corners of the ring, from so many different groups, an increase in turnover and average on last year’s figures, a clearance rate of 81 per cent, alongside three horses sold for £200,000 and more, and seven for six-figures, is a positive result.

“It has been difficult for the point-to-point yards in Britain and Ireland with so many point-to-points cancelled due to the wet weather. It is a testament to the professionalism of the teams that horses have arrived here in such good order, with wins and good performances by their names.

“It is now full steam ahead to our headline Festival Sale on March 12, and we are taking entries now.”