Many Clouds breeder hoping for a lucky break at Goffs December

Some 555 lots have been entered to go under the hammer at the Goffs December National Hunt Sale on Wednesday and Thursday, and Many Clouds' breeder Aidan Aherne holds some of the aces in the catalogue.

Among the foals he is selling are a Walk In The Park half-brother to Grade 1-winning chaser Monalee (lot 155) and a filly by the same sire out of an Oscar mare who is a sister to the top-class The Tullow Tank and half-sister to Many Clouds (228).

Reflecting on the colt, Aherne says: “He's very nice and has a great walk on him, and I think Monalee has more big races in him.

“His full-brother made €60,000 at the sales last year, so we're very hopeful.”

As for the filly, he adds: “She's a lovely walker. The mare had a filly by Walk In The Park last year who was slightly bigger but didn't have as nice a walk.”

Aherne, who is based at Midleton, County Cork, has enjoyed an outstanding decade as a breeder, being responsible for the Listed-winning hurdler Snake Eyes and his recent Clonmel bumper winner relation Northern Belle, as well as Monalee, The Tullow Tank and Many Clouds.

However, luck was not shining on him more recently, as he explains: “I broke my leg in three places eleven weeks ago – just slipped on wet grass. I've got the plaster cast off now and I'm back in shoes, but having to go gently.

“It's partly for that reason that the foals had not gone through the ring earlier this year, although we also felt Monalee's half-brother might just need a little time.”

Many will wish Aherne good luck with his well-bred foals at Goffs this week. Probably best not to tell him to 'break a leg', though.

Those foals, as well as yearlings, broodmares and horses in training, come under the hammer from 10am on Wednesday.

View the Goffs December National Hunt Sale catalogue