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An Irish event rider who runs a solo operation buying and selling young racehorses at horse sales made a hefty profit when her Dabirsim colt sold for a remarkable €500,000 (£447,572) on Wednesday (4 October).
Co. Kildare-based Edie Murray-Hayden bought the colt (pictured, above) last year at Goffs November Foal Sale for €56,000 (£50,117).
After 11 months spent at Edie’s 35-acre Gormanstown Stud, during which time he was backed, the youngster was sold for half a million Euros to agents Sackville Donald at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale.
“His sire was unknown when I bought him, but I fell in love with him and was willing to take a chance on him — there is a lot of luck involved in this game,” Edie told H&H.
“He was very good-looking and an exceptional walker. Despite his unknown sire, he looked a good enough horse and I had done my homework.”
The Irish rider buys and sells — referred to as “pinhooking” in the bloodstock industry — from her 10-stable farm and usually buys one or two foals each year.
“It’s great to see the horses go on and race — it’s even better when they prove themselves,” said Edie, who previously worked for big breeding operations including Coolmore and Godolphin.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“I knew he was an exceptional colt, but I didn’t think he’d go for that much money. Once the price went above €200k it all became a bit of a blur — usually you can remain astute but I definitely got a bit lost at that point.”
Edie (pictured, below) was a member of the first Irish pony eventing team and was the first reserve for Ireland at the 2002 World Equestrian Games. She also produces event horses up to two-star before selling them on, alongside pre-training racehorses.
This is not her first “pinhooking” success — after setting up Gormanstown Stud, she bought Sir Prancealot for €52,000 as a foal and sold the future sire for €142,000 at the 2011 Orby Sale.
The Willie Mullins-trained Black Hercules, a Cheltenham Festival winner, also spent time in Edie’s care when she bought him as a three-year-old before selling him on.
“I actually find it harder to sell the eventers because you take them up the levels and they gain your trust — you get to know them over a longer period of time,” added Edie.
“With the yearlings, it is slightly different because I only have them for about 10 months before they are sold.
“The profit will be re-invested into my farm — I have been overwhelmed by the media attention and the well wishers.”
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