A £6,500 Challenge for old allies Hogan and Sharkey paying off well

Finding a potential Group 1 star for the princely sum of £6,500 is the stuff of dreams for those who prowl the sales ground at horses-in-training auctions.

Those who parted with that sum for Make A Challenge, who has emerged as a genuine contender for Saturday’s Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakesare also wondering quite how they managed it.

Trainer Denis Hogan and agent Colm Sharkey, who have known each other for many years, made the inspired decision to strike for the son of Invincible Spirit from the Godolphin draft at the Goffs UK Autumn Sale in November 2017, and his new connections have reaped the rewards in spectacular fashion.

Colm Sharkey (right) and Denis Hogan have teamed up to good effect on many occasions alreadyCredit: Sarah Farnsworth / Goffs UK

Make A Challenge was ready to make his debut as a three-year-old 12 months later and broke his duck in a Fairyhouse handicap the following May.

He added four more, including back-to-back successes at the Galway festival, and was supplemented for Ascot after running away with last weekend's Listed Waterford Testimonial Stakes.

"He was just a nice horse who stood up well," said Sharkey. "He had a little intermittent lameness but everything was good. Denis and I have bought quite a few from Godolphin in the past, they're very straightforward and honest to deal with."

The pair clearly like the Doncaster event for bargains, as they were also responsible for discovering Allegio for £5,500. The Galileo gelding has scored three times, including an astonishing 33-length handicap success at Cork, and has now reached Listed company.

"We both used to ride for Charlie Swan," Sharkey recalled. "Denis is just a brilliant horseman. One of those people with an affinity with horses."

He has not, however, got the inside line on any particular stable confidence on Saturday.

"I don't think you can ever be confident in a race like that," he said. "But I know he's excited."

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