Verdana Blue Stars In Tattersalls December Mares Sales

Grade One Christmas Hurdle winner Verdana Blue was one of the leading sales at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale with the seven year old being bought by the part owner of Coolmore Stud Michael Tabor.

The mare was previously owned by Crimbourne Bloodstock but yesterday changed hands for 370,000 Guineas which for a national hunt horse is quite expensive but from a breeding point of view is fairly cheap.

Verdana Blue is trained by Nicky Henderson and even with the new owner will remain a the Seven Barrows stables with her trainer aiming for another successful season over the smaller obstacles.

Last season the mare truly came into her own with the dry conditions not suiting many jumps horses but did for Verdana Blue who managed to land the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Kempton inflicting a first defeat in 12 on stablemate Buveur D’Air.

She also landed the Scottish Champion hurdle last season on her penultimate start before trying her hand on the flat when fourth in the Sagaro Stakes behind Dee Ex Bee who was second in last seasons Ascot Gold Cup.

Tom Goff was the man doing the bidding on behalf the wealthy owner Tabor and he said to told www.tattersalls.com: “She is the most beautiful National Hunt mare I have seen in years.

“She is for Michael Tabor and will be going back into training with Nicky Henderson.

“She is by Getaway, who is doing so well as a NH sire, and she will be targeted now at the Christmas Hurdle.

“What happens after and whether she goes to Cheltenham will depend on her run at Kempton, but she obviously will be a fabulous broodmare for the future.”