Highly-regarded hurdler Jason The Militant has been purchased for €57,400 by Grant Nicholson at today’s ThoroughBid Christmas Sale, and will leave behind Waterford and take up residence in North Yorkshire where he will be trained by Philip Kirby.
The eight year old gelding scored victories over hurdles at Grade 3 and Grade 2 for Henry de Bromhead as well as coming good at Listed level on the Flat.
The horse was being sold by previous owner Peter Michael for financial reasons.
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He said: "I think Jason went for a fair price and it was exciting watching the last few minutes on ThoroughBid, who have a great team, the site is very user friendly.
"It’s a great addition to the selling and buying of racehorses. I wish Jason’s new connections every success moving forwards.”
Nicholson also spent money elsewhere as he invested €32,100 into the purchase of Allibaba, a four year old who twice placed in bumpers for Willie Mullins.
The new owner said: “Jason The Militant is a proven top-performer and I think €57,400 is a very fair price.
"Online auctions provide less of an ego-orientated environment because you don’t know who you’re bidding against, and I think that helps you end up with the right price for the horse.
And Nicholson is already hatching plans for his new horse.
He continued: “The plan will be to get him to Phil Kirby’s and start looking at some nice races.
"I’ve got a great partnership with Phil and I’m really looking to try build my string and bring some top horses to the north.
"I’m confident we’ll be seeing Jason The Militant winning a good hurdles race soon."
And Nicholson was happy with the capture of Allibaba from Mullins.
“I was pleased to get Allibaba from Willie Mullins for €32,100 too.
"He’s a bit more of an unknown quantity and probably a bit more of a gamble, but he’s an exciting horse to have at this stage of his career and I’m sure he’ll do a job either way.”
Mi Lighthouse sold solidly at €16,600, while elsewhere Gordon Elliott fetched €13,700 for The Creadan Rogue.
Shinobi was purchased by Ed Bailey on behalf of first-season jumps trainer Harry Derham for €6,300.
Turnover for the 10 lots sold totalled €157,900, with a clearance rate of 50%.
James Richardson, CEO of ThoroughBid, said: “When you’re entrusted with a top horse like Jason The Militant you want to do all you can to get him sold for a good price, and I think Peter Michael is really pleased with the way everything has been handled.
“We look forward to following Jason The Militant’s progression with Phil Kirby up in Yorkshire and wish Grant Nicholson, who had a winner just a couple of weeks ago with a horse he purchased from last year’s Christmas Sale, the best of luck.
“We’re delighted to be rounding out the year with another successful sale, supported by some of the industry’s key figures, and look forward to making further progress with our first sale of 2023 slated for Friday 20 th January.”
ThoroughBid’s next sale will take place on Friday 20 th January, with entries closing on Monday 9 th January. Further information about upcoming sales can be found here: https://thoroughbid.co.uk/collections
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