Tag Archive for: Caldwell Potter

Nicholls ready to unleash record-buy Caldwell Potter

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Caldwell Potter, who in February became the most expensive National Hunt horse ever sold at public auction after fetching €740,000, makes his eagerly-anticipated debut for Paul Nicholls in the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle on Grand National day at Aintree.

Having impressed in Grade One company at Leopardstown over the Christmas period, the six-year-old was always going to be the star attraction among 29 lots to go under the hammer at the dispersal sale of prominent owners Andy and Gemma Brown at a Tattersalls Ireland sale at Fairyhouse.

Former trainer Gordon Elliott did his best to keep hold of the grey, but Caldwell Potter was eventually knocked down to bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley, who later confirmed he had been bought of an ownership group that includes Sir Alex Ferguson John Hales, Ged Mason and Peter Done.

With Nicholls soon ruling out an appearance at the Cheltenham Festival, the son of Martaline will head to Merseyside with high expectations as he looks to justify his price tag.

Chief among Caldwell Potter’s rivals is a former stablemate in Brighterdaysahead.

The five-year-old was considered by some as one of the bankers of the week in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, but had to make do with the silver medal behind Jeremy Scott’s Golden Ace.

Elliott is adamant Brighterdaysahead was not seen to best effect in the Cotswolds and is hoping compensation awaits.

“We were disappointed to see her beaten in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. It was a mess of a race, Jack (Kennedy) and Paul (Townend, riding Jade De Grugy) were riding to beat each other and let the winner get away on them. It was a mess,” Elliott told Attheraces.com.

“The longer trip is going to suit her well and hopefully she can get back on track. We’ve made no secret of the regard we hold her in.”

Gordon Elliott at Cheltenham
Gordon Elliott at Cheltenham (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Cullentra handler has a second string to his bow in Staffordshire Knot, who was sold at the same dispersal sale for €510,000 but remains in his care having been bought by Gigginstown House Stud.

The six-year-old has since been beaten at odds-in in a Grade Three at Thurles, but Elliott is expecting an improved performance at Aintree.

He added: “Staffordshire Knot didn’t jump well enough and found the track a bit sharp for him at Thurles last time. He’s a lot better than that and I’m hopeful of a good run.”

Willie Mullins saddles Jimmy Du Seuil and Ile Atlantique, second and third respectively behind Closutton star Ballyburn in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Mahon’s Way (Henry de Bromhead), Esprit Du Potier (Lucinda Russell), Bugise Seagull (Charlie Longsdon) and Josh The Boss (Nigel Twiston-Davies) complete the field.



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Nicholls in no rush with record buy Caldwell Potter

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Caldwell Potter will not be in action at the Cheltenham Festival next month, with Paul Nicholls already setting his sights on a novice chase campaign next season.

The Grade One winner was top lot at the Andy and Gemma Brown dispersal that took place last week, with Highflyer Bloodstock’s Anthony Bromley going to a record €740,000 on behalf of long-time Ditcheat owners John Hales, Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson and Peter Done.

The big-money acquisition came just 48 hours after leading novice chaser Hermes Allen suffered a fatal fall in the Scilly Isles at Sandown and connections now appear to have a ready-made replacement to fill the void next season.

And with the six-year-old’s future lying over the larger obstacles, the champion trainer is in no rush with his new recruit – which means the Cheltenham Festival is off the table this term.

Paul Nicholls is the new trainer of Caldwell Potter
Paul Nicholls is the new trainer of Caldwell Potter (John Walton/PA)

Nicholls said: “The lads sadly lost Hermes Allen last weekend and I guess they felt it’s a lot of money, but between the four of them it is not that bad. He’s a nice horse to replace Hermes Allen to go novice chasing.

“He won’t go to Cheltenham because he won’t acclimatise in time. He might go to Aintree if we are happy, but he has been bought to go chasing, that is his job. He’s next year’s chaser.”

Former Manchester United manager Ferguson was no stranger to record signings during his time in the Old Trafford dugout and now is jointly responsible for ensuring Caldwell Potter became the most expensive National Hunt horse ever sold at public auction.

However, Nicholls points out that cost is spread amongst four of his longest-standing owners and, rather poignantly, it is Hermes Allen’s groom Mike Couchman who has been entrusted with helping the yard newcomer adjust to life at Ditcheat.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is one of Caldwell Potter's new owners
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is one of Caldwell Potter’s new owners (Martin Rickett/PA)

“Was he that much more than the horse Darren Yeats bought the other year? Probably not, and horses get sold for huge numbers privately that you never hear about,” continued Nicholls.

“He’s a Grade One winner, has got huge potential and it’s a lot easier when you can spread the cost between four people, so I’m excited to have him.

“He arrived on Monday and Mike, the lad who used to look after Hermes Allen, is looking after him and he is thrilled to bits – we just hope we are lucky with him.”

Meanwhile, Nicholls has given his backing to Harry Cobden’s title charge, having seen his stable jockey close the gap to just one behind Sean Bowen in the race to be champion jockey.

Jockey Harry Cobden (left) is just one behind Sean Bowen in the jockeys championship
Jockey Harry Cobden (left) is just one behind Sean Bowen in the jockeys’ championship (Steven Paston/PA)

“I’m 100 per cent behind Harry and, to be honest, I’m fond of both lads,” added Nicholls.

“Sean worked for me for a good while and rode a number of winners for me but is now on a different team.

“We’re supporting Harry as our stable jockey and he’s gone, I think, from being 49 behind to only one now and has done incredibly well.

“Harry is doing well and that’s youth. He’s still a young man, he’s only 24, but as he’s getting more and more experience and is getting older and stronger, he is riding really well.

“Obviously, Sean has had an injury and let’s hope both lads stay sound now until the end of the season and we have a good battle until Sandown.”



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Caldwell Potter heading to pastures new after record-breaking sale

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Caldwell Potter will join British champion trainer Paul Nicholls and count Sir Alex Ferguson as one of his new owners after being sold for a record €740,000 at an enthralling Tattersalls Ireland sale on Monday.

Andy and Gemma Brown, who run their horses under the Caldwell Construction banner, shocked the racing world late last month when announcing they were to sell their entire string.

Caldwell Potter was the star attraction among 29 lots to go under the hammer at Fairyhouse, having already shown top-level form over obstacles for Gordon Elliott to go with his excellent pedigree.

Following a slow start the bidding eventually got under way at €100,000 before ultimately ending up in a tense straight shootout between two parties.

The packed sales ring fell silent after the auctioneer confirmed a €700,000 bid, and while a counter offer of €720,000 was made by Elliott, the hammer eventually went down at €740,000, ensuring Caldwell Potter became the most expensive National Hunt horse ever sold at public auction.

Highflyer Bloodstock’s Anthony Bromley was immediately announced as the successful bidder and he confirmed Caldwell Potter will now move across the Irish Sea.

Paul Nicholls and Sir Alex Ferguson watch the action at Cheltenham last year
Paul Nicholls and Sir Alex Ferguson watch the action at Cheltenham last year (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Bromley told Tattersalls: “I don’t feel great about taking the horse out of Gordon Elliott’s yard, he’s done so well with the horse, but this is business and you’ve got to do your best for your clients.

“When I saw this horse was coming up for sale there was only one call I made and it was to John Hales. He’s been a client of mine for many years, since back in the time of Azertyuiop, and we’ve had Neptune Collonges and Politologue in between.

“I bought him for a little partnership they’ve got together, four guys – John Hales, Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson and Peter Done.

“I’m thrilled to get the horse, but it is a little bittersweet because I could see how much Gordon was trying to get the horse back when he was bidding.”

The six-year-old son of Martaline is not only a full-brother to Mighty Potter, who won four Grade Ones for Elliott and the Browns before suffering a fatal injury last year, but his dam Matnie has also produced three other high-class performers in French Dynamite, Indiana Jones and Brighterdaysahead.

Caldwell Potter has so far lived up to his breeding, winning three times from seven starts in all and two of his first three outings over hurdles, including a Grade One success on his most recent appearance in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

He holds entries in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, but Bromley warned he is not certain to line up in the Cotswolds.

He added: “He’ll go to Paul’s and he doesn’t have to go to Cheltenham, I believe. It’s not the be-all and end-all because it’s only going to be four weeks and he has to settle into his new regime.

“It could be that he needs that bit of time to settle in and go to Aintree, but really we’ve bought him as a steeplechaser because he’s got a pedigree for a Gold Cup in him, I think.

“At the moment he’s only run at two miles and he’s such an exciting horse for the longer term. Realistically that’s why we bought him, not for four weeks’ time.”

Caldwell Potter’s fee eclipses the previous record for a jumps horse sold at auction in Interconnected, who was bought by Darren Yates at Doncaster in 2019 for £620,000.

Pied Piper will remain in training with Gordon Elliott
Pied Piper will remain in training with Gordon Elliott (Brian Lawless/PA)

In total the 29 lots sold for a total of €5,290,000, with the Browns’ primary trainer Elliott managing to keep hold of the second, third and fourth highest lots.

Mags O’Toole brought the hammer down at €620,000 on behalf of Robcour for one-time Triumph Hurdle runner-up Fil Dor, while dual-purpose performer Pied Piper was snapped up for €570,000 by Windgates Stud.

The final horse to command over half a million euros was impressive Down Royal winner Staffordshire Knot who returns to Cullentra House after Eddie O’Leary went to €510,000 for the six-year-old.

Elliott said: “I was disappointed to loose the big horse, but that’s the way it is – hopefully he will be lucky for the new owners. Pied Piper is coming back and we have got all the ones we wanted apart from Caldwell Potter.

“Staffordshire Knot is an exciting six-year-old and we are delighted he is coming back to us. The horses all looked great – we only had a week’s notice for this sale and it is a credit to the staff.

“We can get back to concentrating on the day job now.”

Trainer Gordon Elliott will keep hold of some of the highest-earning lots from the Brown Dispersal
Trainer Gordon Elliott will keep hold of some of the highest-earning lots from the Brown Dispersal (Niall Carson/PA)

It was a bittersweet day for the Browns’ racing manager Joey Logan, who played a key role in sourcing and purchasing many of the horses who went under the hammer.

He said: “It is fantastic, I want to thank Tattersalls for turning this around in such a short time and Andy and Gemma for letting me purchase the horses in the first place and being so trusting.

“I want to thank Gordon for doing such a good job, all the staff that helped here. I am stuck for words really. It is mixed emotions and I’m delighted that it went so well, and it is just fantastic.

“To see such a nice young bunch of horses, and a lot of work has gone into it, many of them bought as foals, two-year-olds and three-year-olds. I am very proud of these horses, hopefully they are very lucky for the new owners. They gave us some exciting times, there is some regret obviously that I won’t be involved, but I will be there to cheer them on.

“Hopefully, Andy and Gemma will be back in at some point, they are a young couple and I hope they had a good time.”



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Caldwell Potter goes for record amount in Andy and Gemma Brown dispersal

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Caldwell Potter became the most expensive National Hunt horse ever sold at public auction on Monday after fetching €740,000 at Andy and Gemma Brown’s Tattersalls Ireland dispersal at Fairyhouse.

The couple, who run their horses under the Caldwell Construction banner, shocked the racing world late last month when announcing they were to sell their entire string.

Caldwell Potter was the star attraction among 29 lots to go under the hammer, having already shown top-level form over obstacles for Gordon Elliott to go with his excellent pedigree.

The six-year-old son of Martaline is not only a full-brother to Mighty Potter, who won four Grade Ones for Elliott and the Browns before suffering a fatal injury last year, but his dam Matnie has also produced three other high-class performers in French Dynamite, Indiana Jones and Brighterdaysahead.

Caldwell Potter has so far lived up to his breeding, winning three times from seven starts in all and two of his first three outings over hurdles, including a Grade One success on his most recent appearance in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

Following a slow start the bidding eventually got under way at €100,000 before ultimately ending up in a tense straight shootout between two parties.

The packed sales ring fell silent after the auctioneer confirmed a €700,000 bid, and while a counter offer of €720,000 was made, the hammer eventually went down at €740,000, with Highflyer bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley immediately announced as the successful bidder.

Caldwell Potter’s fee eclipses the previous record for a jumps horse sold at auction in Interconnected, who was bought by Darren Yates at Doncaster in 2019 for £620,000.



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Caldwell team found losses hard to bear

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Owners Andrew and Gemma Brown, whose horses run under the Caldwell Construction banner, have cited the recent sad losses of young horses as the reason for their shock exit from the sport.

Their red and white silks were becoming an increasing familiar sight on Irish racecourses, with all trained by Gordon Elliott.

They enjoyed their first Cheltenham Festival win last March when Jazzy Matty was successful in the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle and have tasted Grade One success this season with Caldwell Potter.

He is a full-brother to the ill-fated Mighty Potter, but will be one of 29 horses up for grabs at their dispersal sale which will take place at Tattersalls Ireland early next month.

Other notable runners in the red and white colours this season include Fil Dor, Imagine and Sa Fureur, while Cesarewitch second Pied Piper is another leading light.

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, a statement on the Caldwell Construction Horse Racing account read:

“Further to the sad loss of one of our young horses D B Cooper again as a family we are absolutely heartbroken. Also we lost Smooth Player only just two weeks ago. Having a young family it’s hard to cope with such losses and therefore we feel it is time for a break from the sport.

“We would also like to thank Gordon and his team for their hard work and support the last few years and wish them all the best.”



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Tattersalls Ireland announces Caldwell dispersal sale

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Tattersalls Ireland has announced it will hold a dispersal sale for owners Andy and Gemma Brown early next month.

The Browns, whose horses run under the Caldwell Construction banner, count Caldwell Potter among their star horses this term, with the six-year-old having won two of his three hurdles outings including a six-and-a-half-length verdict in a Leopardstown Grade One over the Christmas period.

He is as low as 8-1 for the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and a general 10-1 shot for the Supreme.

Other notable runners in the red and white colours this season include Fil Dor, Imagine and Sa Fureur, while Cesarewitch second Pied Piper is another leading light.

All are trained by Gordon Elliott, who sent out Jazzy Matty to win last year’s Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – a first Festival triumph in the Caldwell silks.

The sale is due to take place on February 6 and a post on www.tattersalls.ie said: “Andy and Gemma Brown have entrusted Tattersalls Ireland to manage their dispersal sale, consisting of 29 exceptional lots.

“Clients will be presented with a rare opportunity to purchase a Grade One winner and leading Cheltenham Festival contender, along with several proven Graded winners with immense future potential.”



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Leopardstown return on the cards for Caldwell Potter

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Connections of Caldwell Potter have plenty to get excited about following his thoroughly impressive Leopardstown success over the Christmas period.

Gordon Elliott’s charge was sent off at odds of 6-1 for a competitive running of the Grade One Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle, but proved a decisive winner when pulling clear on the run to two out and galloping on to a cosy six-and-a-half-length success in the hands of Jack Kennedy.

It was a performance that justified his big-race jockey’s confidence and Joey Logan, racing manager to Andy and Gemma Brown’s Caldwell Construction Ltd string, believes connections are only getting a glimpse of what the talented six-year-old could be capable of.

He said: “He was very impressive and to be honest Jack was very confident going out, he had said it was one of the horses he was most looking forward to riding all week at Leopardstown.

“His form is good and he’s improving all the time and he is a lot stronger than he was last year. Hopefully that will continue going forward and he has a lovely way about him throughout his race.”

Having joined his ill-fated brother, Mighty Potter, on the race’s roll of honour, Caldwell Potter could have paved the way for a return to the Irish capital for the Dublin Racing Festival next month where the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle could be the ideal place to complete his Cheltenham Festival preparations.

Jack Kennedy celebrates winning The Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle on Caldwell Potter
Jack Kennedy celebrates winning The Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle on Caldwell Potter (Niall Carson/PA)

Logan added: “More than likely we will (go back to Leopardstown), but I have to speak to Andy, Gemma and Gordon. You couldn’t seen much reason why not to and it would be the logical step towards Cheltenham.

“He could be a Supreme horse or a Ballymore horse and with the way he did it, he was only going through the motions. I don’t think either trip will be a bother.”

If Caldwell Potter proved the perfect way to end 2023 for the Caldwell Construction team, they then got the new year off to a flying start at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day as Mollys Mango spearheaded a brilliant double on the card.

Mollys Mango romped home at Fairyhouse
Mollys Mango romped home at Fairyhouse (PA)

The six-year-old, who was placed at Listed level in a bumper, ran out an imperious 17-length scorer to book a possible return to Fairyhouse for Grade Three duties later this month in the Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle.

“Mollys Mango is a very, very nice mare and we’ve always loved her,” said Logan.

“She wasn’t right the last time, but she won her bumper by nearly six lengths before getting black type and Jack said she gave him some feel the other day.

“She didn’t beat a whole lot and Jack said she would do more on the gallops at home than she did in the race.

“We’ll speak again but the Solerina would be probably what we would be thinking there.”

Staffordshire Knot then got off the mark at the second attempt in the concluding bumper and with the gelding already six, attentions could turn to jumping sooner rather than later.

Logan said: “His work was very good and the family are related to Many Clouds, so there is plenty of stamina in the pedigree. The Tullow Tank who won a couple of Grade Ones is in there as well.

“It was a lovely performance and we could go up to two and a half miles and start jumping hurdles with him, or he could stay in bumpers. I would be more inclined to go jumping with him and he looks a really nice prospect.”



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Caldwell Potter gallops to Future Champions gold

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Caldwell Potter dented some lofty reputations with victory in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The Grade One contest has been won by a whole host of top-class performers in recent years, with Sizing John (2014), Appreciate It (2020) and Caldwell Potter’s ill-fated sibling Mighty Potter (2021) among those on the roll of honour.

Another quality renewal was in prospect, with Daddy Long Legs, fellow Willie Mullins representative Predators Gold and Gordon Elliott’s Down Memory Lane all protecting unbeaten records, but it was the latter trainer’s apparent second string who claimed top honours under Jack Kennedy.

A 6-1 shot following a comfortable victory at Navan on his most recent outing, Caldwell Potter took over from long-time leader Westport Cove leaving the back straight, with the supposed bigger guns waiting in the wings.

However, Predators Gold was the only horse able to go with Elliott’s grey turning for home and with a bad mistake at the final flight ultimately ending his challenge, Caldwell Potter was well on top as he passed the post with six and a half lengths in hand.

Down Memory Lane was a long way back in third, with Daddy Long Legs disappointingly pulled up.

Caldwell Potter with his delighted connections at Leopardstown
Caldwell Potter with his delighted connections at Leopardstown (PA)

Elliott said: “Jack just kept it simple and said he loved the ground. He galloped them into the ground. He’s a nice horse and loved the conditions.

“I wasn’t surprised, as he won well in Navan. We’ll enjoy today and then have a think about where we go next. I could see him stepping up in trip at some stage.”

Betfair gave the winner an 8-1 quote for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham next March, while Coral introduced him into their Ballymore betting at 12-1.



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Caldwell Construction team have plenty to look forward

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Both Fil Dor and Caldwell Potter are due to be upped in trip after pleasing runs for Gordon Elliott and Caldwell Construction last weekend.

Fil Dor looked a good novice chase prospect last season when winning his debut over fences by four lengths from Saint Roi, but when he met the same horse in the Grade One Racing Post App Novice Chase at Leopardstown he made a jumping error and came home third behind him.

The incident seemed to knock his confidence and after finishing fifth to El Fabiolo in the Irish Arkle he reverted to hurdling and won the Grade Three Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park next time out.

This season he was back to give fences another go and in the Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas he looked to have regained his appetite for jumping when finishing second.

At Cork Fil Dor was then set a stiff task when taking on Arkle winner El Fabiolo in the Hilly Way but he was not disgraced when chasing the 1-5 favourite home to finish second by four and three-quarter lengths.

Fil Dor during his hurdling career
Fil Dor during his hurdling career (Niall Carson/PA)

Connections were heartened by the run, especially as they feel their gelding will be better suited by an extended trip in the future.

Joey Logan, racing manager to owners Caldwell Construction, said: “We were very pleased with him, his jumping was very nice and his confidence is coming back.

“We ran him last year in a Grade One at Leopardstown and he landed on a fence and he lost his confidence. We gave him a break and Gordon’s done a great job of getting him back.

“We were very pleased with the run the other day, obviously we are going to step up to two and a half miles as two miles is a bit short for him, but we were delighted with that.

“We’ve done a good bit a schooling with him and we’re very happy with his jumping, we’re going to step him up now – that’s the plan.”

Fil Dor at home at Gordon Elliott's yard
Fil Dor at home at Gordon Elliott’s yard (Niall Carson/PA)

Of the next outing for the horse Logan added: “We’re not too sure yet, we’ll pick and choose.

“We’re not going to rush him as it’s all about confidence and he’s only five, we’ll speak to Gordon and make a plan for where we’re going to go next.”

The same silks were in the winner’s enclosure at Navan last Saturday as Caldwell Potter took a two-mile maiden hurdle by seven lengths on his second start over obstacles.

The five-year-old is a full-brother to Mighty Potter, Caldwell Construction and Elliott’s Grade One-winning novice chaser who looked set for a highly successful career before he was fatally injured in a fall at Fairyhouse in April.

Caldwell Potter has been patiently handled by Elliott, contesting four bumpers before making his hurdles debut when second in a Punchestown maiden last month.

Navan was his next outing and there he was an eyecatching winner, strolling to a wide-margin success on heavy ground under Jack Kennedy.

Like his late brother he is destined for greater tests of stamina and could be seen after the turn of the new year.

Logan said: “We’re very happy with him, he ran a cracker at Navan. He got a lot stronger over the summer and the further he goes, the better.

“The other day he was very good on testing ground at Navan, he’ll probably be a two-and-a-half-mile hurdler and we’re very happy.

“He puts his head down and he keeps going to the line.

“We’ll make a decision, it’s a bit tight but maybe between now and the new year. We might go to the Dublin Festival with him but we’ll see how things go.”

One horse with his place booked at the Leopardstown meeting over the festive period is Mighty Bandit, a three-year-old who made an impression on his racecourse debut when taking a Punchestown maiden hurdle by nine and a half lengths.

The form from that race has been boosted by the third-placed horse, Joseph O’Brien’s Harsh, who has since won a Cork maiden by eight lengths.

The Mercedes-Benz South Dublin Juvenile Hurdle, formerly the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle, a Grade Two at Leopardstown, is next on the agenda for the gelding.

“He looks to be a very promising horse,” Logan said.

Mighty Bandit winning on debut
Mighty Bandit winning on debut (PA)

“He won nine lengths on his debut. He was a very raw, big baby – 16.3 (hands high). His form was boosted again by the horse he beat by nearly 10 lengths the other day.

“He looks to be very promising and we’re looking forward to running him in Leopardstown in the Grade Two.”



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