Classy Flat pedigree lies behind unbeaten Tolworth Hurdle hero Metier

The upwardly mobile Metier maintained his unbeaten record over jumps on Saturday with an impressive display in the Unibet Tolworth Novices' Hurdle at Sandown.

The five-year-old may now have a National Hunt Grade 1 to his name and the Supreme Novices' Hurdle firmly in his sights, but he is backed up by a pedigree rooted firmly on the Flat.

He is the first Grade 1-winning jumper sired by Mastercraftsman, who is much better known as the source of Group 1 winners such as Alpha Centauri, Kingston Hill and The Grey Gatsby on the level.

Metier was bred by Nelius Hayes' Knockainey Stud after the County Limerick operation bought his dam, We'll Go Walking, carrying the son of Mastercraftsman in utero for €150,000 at Goffs in 2015.

Bred by master breeder and trainer Jim Bolger, We'll Go Walking was herself a smart Flat performer, winning on her debut at three and gaining Group-race black type when runner-up in the Blue Wind Stakes having transferred to Johnny Murtagh at four.

Kevin Ross: signed for Metier at 150,000gnsCredit: Laura Green

She is by Authorized, a confirmed source of National Hunt talent having sired jumping stars such as Tiger Roll, Goshen, Nichols Canyon and Zubayr.

The Derby-winning son of Montjeu now stands at stud in Turkey, having switched from Haras du Logis after the 2019 breeding season.

We'll Go Walking is related to one of Bolger's brightest stars as her dam, Senora Galilei, is a winning sister to champion two-year-old Teofilo, who landed the Dewhurst and National Stakes in 2006 before going on to become an important sire in his own right.

Metier has appeared at public auction on three occasions, and with varying degrees of success.

His most recent date with the auctioneer proved his most fruitful as agent Kevin Ross went to 150,000gns at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale, after Metier had developed into a useful Flat performer for Andrew Slattery.

Prior to that, Metier was first offered by his breeder as a foal when Mags O'Toole signed the docket at 55,000gns. He then reappeared at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, but was led out unsold at 68,000gns.

The Tolworth success of Metier capped a productive spell for Mastercraftsman's progeny, as earlier in the day French import Neufbosc won the Group 2 Tabtouch-Perth Cup at Ascot in Australia.

More to read:

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