Derby Sale graduates win at Limerick and Leopardstown

A pair of expensively bought, and identically-priced, 2022 Derby Sale graduates won in the space of 15 minutes today, with €230,000-purchase Final Demand (4/7f) beginning by landing Limerick’s CUBE Maiden Hurdle.

By Walk In The Park, Final Demand was purchased unraced by Ballycrystal Stables and Joey Logan at the 2022 marquee store sale and, having won a Lingstown point-to-point for handler Matthew Flynn O’Connor in March, today debuted for Willie Mullins.

Ridden by the champion trainer’s nephew Danny Mullins, the five-year-old today made a big impression in scoring by a hard-held 15 lengths from Timmy Tuesday

Final Demand was cut by Paddy Power to 16/1 (from 40s) for Cheltenham’s Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle with jockey Mullins reporting “he was bought to win races and isn’t doing too badly so far!

“He was good, straightforward and being a massive horse, the potential is there for his engine to match it.”

He added “we didn’t fly early and I knew I had plenty class so was keen to just keep my powder dry. A few good jumps put him in a position down the back straight and it was plane sailing from there. The last two hurdles were the only ones we went over at speed and he was so classy.

“He could go back in trip as well so has options.”

Brighterdaysahead topped the 2022 Derby Sale at €310,000, with Final Demand’s second-best €230,000 price being equalled by ‘Dee Capo’, which also won today in Leopardstown’s Ballymaloe Relish Beginners Chase.