Douvan's brother makes stunning debut with 15-length Dromahane romp

Jonbon, a brother to the top-class Douvan, made a stunning start to his racing career when landing the Tattersalls Ireland four-year-old maiden at Dromahane point-to-point on Sunday by no fewer than 15 lengths.

The debutant is trained by Ellmarie Holden and was ridden by Derek O'Connor, and was picked up by Paul Holden and Michael Shefflin at last year's Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale at a cost of €140,000 when offered by Church View Stables.

If the buyers' plans remain the same as they were at Fairyhouse, it seems entirely likely that Jonbon will be reappearing on the market sometime soon, as Shefflin said at the time: "We'll look to run him in either a bumper or a point-to-point, and if he runs well we'll probably look to sell him on.

"If he does something impressive on the racetrack, with that pedigree, he can only go up in value."

He added: "He seemed to have a little bit of that swagger that Douvan has. Physically they're quite similar, his brother has a massive engine and is a proper athlete so hopefully this guy can be something like him."

Jonbon was bred by Lotfi Kohli and is the fourth foal out of Star Face. The only other runner produced by the daughter of Saint Des Saints remains the mighty Douvan, whose record of 15 wins from 19 starts features eight Grade 1 triumphs, including wins in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the Arkle and the Maghull Novices' Chase.

Both are by Grange Stud sire Walk In The Park, although the mare does have other youngstock in the pipeline, including a colt by Doctor Dino foaled earlier this year.

Although the Irish point-to-point season has been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Holdens could be set for a bumper payday should they reoffer Jonbon, as there plainly remains a huge appetite from owners and trainers for horses who have graduated from between the flags.

This point was underlined on Friday, when Noel and Valerie Moran of Bective Stud gave €470,000 for Tattersalls maiden winner Ginto at the relocated Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale. Part two of the relocated November Sale is set to take place in Fairyhouse on Thursday, November 19.

Buyers hoping to get their hands on a brother to Douvan may just get two bites of the cherry in the coming weeks, as not only does Jonbon look set to be sold on but another full-sibling, a two-year-old colt, is catalogued as lot 601 at the upcoming Arqana Autumn Sale in Deauville on November 17.

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