JP McManus splashes over £700K on two new horses at Punchestown Sale
JP McManus has splashed out £707,742 on two horses at the Goffs Punchestown Sale, with the Limerick businessman securing Walkonseas after outbidding Gordon Elliott
JP McManus has bagged two more horses (Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)
JP McManus splashed out a whopping €820,000 (£707,742) on two horses at the Goffs Punchestown Sale. The Limerick tycoon shelled out €500,000, outbidding Gordon Elliott to secure Walkonseas for a record-matching sum.
Walkonseas, a son of Walk In The Park offered by his trainer Denis Murphy’s Ballyboy Stables, was purchased after McManus had already dropped €320,000 on recent Ballysteen victor Night League, sold by Jonathan Fogarty Racing. The four year old is a gelding by Order Of St George.
Meanwhile, Walkonseas made a stunning debut with a win at Lisronagh last Sunday.
Chatting to the Racing Post after the sale, a chuckling McManus said: “I knew nothing about him until 15 minutes before the sale”, reports the Irish Mirror.
He added: “Ask me in 12 months if he was value.”
A 92% clearance rate at the sale saw 23 of the 25 Lots offered snapped up, while turnover increased by 5% following last year’s 40% rise, the average went up by 10%, and the median remained largely in line with 2025.
Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby commented post-sale: “As the original festival sale, the Goffs Punchestown Sale always attracts maximum attention. Last year we scaled new heights with a rise of 40%, so to consolidate that this evening with a further 5% rise is most gratifying.
“A record equaling top price of €500,000 contributed to a 10% rise in average, while the median was within €2,500 of last year’s record.
“As ever we are indebted to our vendors who have thrown their support behind the Punchestown Sale from the start, and it is testament to their professionalism that this sale continues to grow. We wish every purchaser the very best of luck, and doubtless we will celebrate the success of today’s graduates at future festivals.
“We now look forward to the Doncaster Spring Sale in a couple of weeks’ time and to the publication of the Arkle Sale catalogue next week.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
