Aurora Vega Is The Star Of The Show At Punchestown Sale

Game Grade 1 winner Aurora Vega (6m Walk In The Park – Quevega, by Robin Des Champs) topped a strong renewal of the Goffs Punchestown Sale when bringing €450,000 from Gerry Aherne.

“She's an exceptional mare, with an exceptional pedigree,” Aherne said after outbidding the mare’s trainer Willie Mullins and agent Harold Kirk. “Mares like her don't come on the market, and we have a lot of young stallions.

“We can't send her to Walk In The Park, but we have plenty more. I think she'll go to stud straight away, but I'll talk to the team. We spoke to Willie about her and he said she was very good. She's won a Grade 1 - why risk her any more now?”

Aurora Vega was offered on behalf of Hammer & Trowel Syndicate, who also raced her full-brother Facile Vega (Walk In The Park) to win four Grade 1s. The syndicate is run by Ger O’Brien and Sean Deane, on which Aherne commented: “We are delighted for them. We actually bought a Walk In The Park colt out of a sister of hers in Doncaster and he is a beauty. Let's hope she is lucky.”