BELFAST BANTER BECOMES THOROUGHBID’S FIRST G1 WINNING GRADUATE
Jul 20, 2023 · Belfast Banter
Thursday 20th July, 2023 – Sauntering to a six-and-a-half length victory at Saratoga on Wednesday, Belfast Banter landed his first Grade 1 since being sold via ThoroughBid in November 2021.
The former Peter Fahey-trained County Hurdle and G1 Top Novices’ Hurdle winner was purchased for £130,000 by David Mullins, with the horse moving to multiple G1-winning trainer Cyril Murphy.
Now running in the colours of America’s champion owner over timber, Irv Taylor, the 8yo Jeremy gelding had run six times in the US prior to his latest winning start at Saratoga, including a fourth place in the G1 Grand National Hurdle at Far Hills won by Shark Hanlon’s Hewick.
Wednesday’s win marks a first G1 graduate for ThoroughBid following a bumper set of results in 2023 for the auction house, which has seen both Cheltenham Festival and Punchestown Festival-winning graduates in the shape of Maskada and Its On The Line.
James Richardson, CEO of ThoroughBid, said: “We’re absolutely delighted for all involved with Belfast Banter. They paid a good six-figure sum for him back in November 2021, which was one of our first big-name sales that helped put us on the map, and their faith and patience is now being rewarded.
“He’s only a few thousand short of repaying his full purchase price now and credit has to go to David Mullins who spotted this horse and readily snapped him up for a future in the US. Well done also to trainer Cyril Murphy and owner Irv Taylor, to whom we wish the best of luck for the future with Belfast Banter.”