The Cheltenham Festival once again brought unexpected success to Newsells Park Stud, with several horses bred by the stud in the winners circle.

On Thursday 15th March, both the first and second in the Grade 1 Sun Bets Stayer’s Hurdle Penhill and Supasundae were bred by Newsells.

Penhill’s triumph was particular impressive as he had not run for 323 days for owner Tony Bloom, who also owns Librisa Breeze winner of the Gr.1 British Champions Sprint Stakes and another horse bred by Newsells Park Stud.  Both horses are also by former Newsells stallion Mount Nelson. 

Penhill’s trainer Willie Mullins said: “”He must have some engine as I couldn’t believe how well he was going.”

The Jessica Harrington trained Supasundae has a very eye-catching pedigree being by Galileo out of Distinctive Look, a half-sister to eight black-type winners including Newsells’ dual Gr.1 winner and sire Nathaniel (Galileo), and Gr.1 winners Playful Act, Great Heavens (Galileo) and Gr.1-winning hurdler Percussionist.

Newsells Park Stud also bred Melon, who finished second by just a neck in the Grade 1 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival for trainer Willie Mullins and owner Mrs J Donnelly. By Medicean out of Night Teeny, the six-year-old gelding is the half-brother to three Stakes winners/performers on the Flat.

All three horses also won or were placed at the 2017 Cheltenham NH Festival, resulting in Newsells Park Stud being the leading breeder at the Festival.

Julian Dollar, Newsells Park Stud’s General Manager, commented on the success this year: “We don’t set out our stall to be National Hunt breeders, but this is an extra bonus and we have to be proud of it. It’s great fun.”