Introducing our newest Jumps prospect, Gibbs Island

We are delighted to unveil our newest recruit to go over hurdles this season, Gibbs Island, who was bought for 70,000 guineas (£73,500) at last week’s Tattersalls Horses-in-Training Sale (lot 601) by our buying team in conjunction with renowned National Hunt expert, Anthony Bromley, who has purchased so many top class horses under his Highflyer Bloodstock banner, including Kauto Star, Sprinter Sacre and Big Bucks!

As you’ll recall, our buying team has a very serious record with their purchases from these sales, including the great Scampi, Golden Maverick & La Pulga.

As with Spaceport, Anthony Bromley was very impressed by Gibbs Island at the sales and was very keen that we secure him. He commented that he is “a good-moving 3yo gelding who has been a tough, hardy performer for his Irish stable this season….he has size, scope and substance and could look well bought over the next 12 months or so. He comes from a smart staying Ballymacoll Stud family and I specifically liked the fact that his granddam, New Morning (who won the Brigadier Gerard Stakes herself), is by the great influential sire Sadler’s Wells - and also that Sea The Stars is the sire of his dam too”.

Although a quick glance at his form figures might suggest some inconsistency, in fact this would be completely unjustified. Gibbs Island finished 2nd in an extremely hot Leopardstown handicap on October 20th, but prior to that he’d run over a completely inadequate 7 furlongs and had an outing on the all-weather which clearly did not suit him. On turf, he has proved highly effective on all going from good to heavy, so there should be little waiting around for suitable ground!

He’s by Iffraaj- sire of Grade 2 chase winner, Charbel- who’s not had many jump runners as most of his progeny are not bred to stay National Hunt distances. However, he’s had plenty of winners from those that have been sent jumping and, in Gibbs Island’s case, there is loads of stamina on the dam’s side. He is a full brother to the very talented Live Your Dream, who was 5th in a Group 1 at Cologne over 12 furlongs in 2023, having previously been 2nd in the Ebor off a very high rating of 109. His half-brother, Book Of Tales, has won his only start over hurdles.

We are really excited to see how he gets on over hurdles this season now that the Jumps season is in full flow! If you would like to get involved, please click here to purchase a share for £49.