Mullins’ Uncle Phil heading to Matt Sheppard

 

Miller, who has experience in point-to-point racing as both an owner and a jockey, saw off competition from a host of bidders and is now set to have the Grade 3 winner trained by Sheppard in Herefordshire.

 

Speaking shortly after the auction on Thursday, Miller said: “I was looking through the catalogue at some of the pointers, as I still like to ride and often have pointers, and then I came across Uncle Phil.

 

“I’m a big supporter of Matt Sheppard and his team, and I just thought it would be great to get a horse of this calibre for him to work his magic on. Matt punches well above his weight with what he has, and I thought it would be great if I could send him something for the big Saturdays in the spring.”

 

“The plan will be to syndicate him between a few people and then hopefully enjoy some big days with him in the spring and beyond. He’s clearly got plenty of ability, and Matt is capable of getting horses to perform beyond what they’ve previously been capable of, so I’m looking forward to it.”

 

Miller praised the convenience and accessibility of ThoroughBid’s online sales platform having placed the winning bid whilst waiting in a car park:

 

“I chatted to Ed Bailey, who was very positive on the horse, and despite almost running over the time on my parking ticket whilst bidding, we persisted, and I’m delighted to get him at the price.

 

“The ThoroughBid platform is fantastic. As I say, I was bidding for Uncle Phil whilst sat in a car park on my phone – it’s so convenient. There’s no need to fly over to Ireland or travel halfway across the country, it’s all there for you which keeps costs down and makes it easy.”

 

Pointers popular as Mulholland goes to £28,000 and all seven Minella horses sell.

 

Neil Mulholland was responsible for the highest price paid for a graduate of the point-to-point field at ThoroughBid’s Christmas Sale, as Myles Osbourne’s recent Larkhill winner Five Bar Gate made £28,000, while all seven horses consigned by John Nallen’s Minella Racing operation found new owners.

 

Minella Loach, by Fly With Me, went to Tim Underwood for £13,500 and Soldier Of Fortune 4yo Minella Supreme, who went for £12,500 to John McConnell, were the highest prices paid of the seven Minella horses in the sale.

 

‘Mr. S. Claus’ secures some festive firepower

 

Firmly in the Christmas spirit, two other lots from Minella Racing were signed for by a ‘Mr. S. Claus’. Minella Seargeant (Soldier Of Fortune) and Minella Emperor (Shantou) were both purchased by the secret Santa.

 

ThoroughBid’s Christmas Sale resulted in an impressive clearance rate of 64 percent. Christmas Sale results: https://thoroughbid.co.uk/collection/38

 

CEO of ThoroughBid, James Richardson, said: “Running for a third consecutive year, our Christmas Sale has once again proved very popular. Top chaser Grandero Bello came out of our 2022 Christmas Sale, while Handsome Chap shipped to Qatar for £42,000 in 2023, and now Uncle Phil has topped a very busy auction this year at £38,000.

 

“Uncle Phil has become the latest in a long list of high-class horses from Willie Mullins to go under our online hammer. We’re excited for his purchaser Gordon Miller, and for Matt Sheppard who looks set to train the horse. He’s clearly got plenty of ability and can hopefully bring some excitement to the yard.

 

“We’re also very pleased with all seven Minella Racing pointers selling and look forward to working more with John Nallen’s operation moving forwards, while it was great to get a good price for Myles Osbourne’s recent British point winner Five Bar Gate. Amongst all of the fast and ferocious bidding taking place, it was nice to see one anonymous bidder bring a bit of fun to the Christmas Sale by signing off his purchases as ‘Mr. S. Claus’.