JON SNOW SNAPPED UP BY GEORGE BAKER FOR £50,000
Nov 21, 2022
Friday 18th November, 2022 – Jon Snow topped ThoroughBid’s Autumn Sale at £50,000 and will head to George Baker’s Robin Farm stables in Sussex.
After three hours of bidding on Friday morning, Baker came out on top for the high-class hurdles, chase and Flat winner, while the Royal Ascot-winning trainer also went to £26,000 to buy 3yo Cityscape filly Atlantis Blue, previously in training with David Menuisier.
Pleased with his two purchases, Baker said: “I’m delighted to pick up a horse who can take us to all the big jumping Festivals through the spring and beyond.
“When we started training, we were very much 50/50 in terms of runners under both codes. We have evolved into training more Flat horses, but several of our owners are looking to increase their National Hunt interests, so we are looking forward to that.
“I think we might even be able to go straight to Cheltenham with him. Willie [Mullins] tells me he stays really well, and I think he could possibly be one for the Cross Country, and then who knows, maybe Aintree too. Then there’s the possibility of going to Tennessee for the Iroquois Steeplechase as well. It’s a place we enjoy going to every year and I’d love to have a runner in it.
“We also purchased Atlantis Blue after Willie Carson recommended her to us. We think she’s very unlucky to still be a maiden and the Great British Bonus scheme means we could redeem most of our outlay if we can get her to shed that tag. She’s been a runner-up in four of her races and Neil Callan, who rode her at Newmarket, felt there was more to come. She looks a nice filly to press on with, potentially from a dual-purpose point of view further down the line as well.
“I’ve been watching ThoroughBid’s auctions over the last 12 months and I’ve had a few bids, but this is my first purchase. I’m really impressed with the way the platform works and I think it’s a fantastic way of transacting horse sales. Judging by the horses being bought and sold it’s clearly gaining more and more momentum and I think it has a big future. Navigating the site is easy, as is the bidding, and it’s just as easy as raising your hand at a physical sale.”
Joe Chambers, Racing Manager to Susannah and Rich Ricci, previous owners of Jon Snow, said: “We are delighted. We had a price in mind, and we exceeded that, and overall, we’re just really thrilled with the ease in process and cost efficiency of selling this horse with ThoroughBid.
“The marketing that ThoroughBid did in advance of the sale across social platforms and in industry media was brilliant. It’s a welcome addition to the equine auctioneering ranks and we hope to do more business with them in the future.
“I wish George Baker the best of luck with Jon Snow. He’s a sound horse who has plenty of ability, and as was illustrated by our sales of Some Neck, N’Golo and Koshari, we try to make sure that there are horses of marketable interest to a broader and more diverse range of buyers and ownership.”
National Hunt Stores to the fore
Ellie’s Warrior, a half-sister to first time out point-to-point winner Present Soldier, went to Jerry McGrath for £16,000, while Unnamed ('18 Soldier Of Fortune ex Supreme Millie), a half-sister to chase winner Boston Joe, went for £16,500 to Donnchadh Doyle. In total, five of the six stores offered in the Autumn Sale were sold.
Also involved in a busy morning of online bidding was leading owner David Armstrong, who purchased impressive recent Point-to-Point winner Shadows In The Sky for £17,000, while Daniel Lynch went to £14,000 for Like Ta Ma, a Soldier Of Fortune mare who won in pillar to post fashion between the flags at Rathcannon a fortnight ago.
The Autumn Sale ended with a 65% clearance rate from the 34 lots offered and total turnover of £202,300.
James Richardson, CEO of ThoroughBid, said: “It’s been a busy morning of bidding and the Autumn Sale has resulted in plenty of happy parties. I know Joe [Chambers] and the Riccis are really happy with the £50,000 they got for Jon Snow, while on the buyers’ side George Baker is delighted to get a nice horse like him in the yard.
“We were also very happy with the sale of five National Hunt stores, while an overall clearance rate of 65% is a pleasing figure. We’d like to wish the best of luck to all future connections, and also thank all the vendors for once again choosing to sell online with ThoroughBid. Having the likes of the Ricci’s, Gavin Cromwell, Glanvilles Stud and Andrew Balding, amongst others, all entrusting us with the sale of their bloodstock is very reassuring.”
ThoroughBid’s next sale is the Christmas Sale, which will take place on Friday 16th December, with entries closing on Monday 5th December.
For more information, visit: https://thoroughbid.co.uk/home
Autumn Sale results: https://thoroughbid.co.uk/collection/21