Coen’s Book 3 Dream: 100k Profit For Young Pinhooker And Tatts Employee

[Wandering Eyes]

Emotions ran high deep into the opening session of Book 3 at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when young pinhooker Luke Coen produced an incredible result with his Invincible Spirit (Ire) filly selling for 115,000gns. 

Coen may be in his early 20s but he knows the time of day and came to Park Paddocks full of confidence with his €23,000 foal purchase from Goffs last November. 

After an entertaining bidding war, it was Olivia Perkins-Mackey, who works closely with bloodstock agent Justin Casse and trainer Joseph O'Brien–and who was involved in the selection of a 310,000gns Siyouni (Fr) colt during the Book 2 session–who landed the winning blow. 

But that didn't come without breeze-up handler Danny O'Donovan doing his best to secure the filly from Q-Cross Stables by throwing his iPad in the direction of auctioneer Matt Hall whilst standing in the gangway. 

It proved to be in vain as the American-based agent wasn't to be beaten on the Invincible Spirit filly with the winning bidder and consignor visibly emotional after the tussle. 

Coen said, “It was unreal, now. I couldn't stand still inside there. To be fair, the day I bought her at Goffs, I just couldn't believe that I got her. I was delighted. And to be fair, when we came here, I was quite boastful as I knew she was a bit of a queen. I'm delighted she proved me right.”

The youngster, who works full-time with the sales company, is a nephew of prominent Irish trainer Andrew Slattery. He is also a brother to top Flat jockey Ben Coen and, after the conversion rate, netted well over €100,000 in profit from the sale. 

He added, “I told Gavin [Davies] at Tatts when I first started working for him that I was bringing a top filly to Book 3 and that I was going to come close to topping it. I'm fairly happy I put my neck out.

“I think I owe Danny O'Donovan a pint. Fair play to him, he loved her and went all the way, and fair play to Olivia. I hope the filly is very, very lucky for her and that she can be the queen that I always thought she could be for her new connections.”

Perkins-Mackey was just as emotional as Coen after the sale, where she revealed that the filly would go into training with Joseph O'Brien. 

She said, “I saw her this morning and loved her. I sent her details on to Joseph and he loved her, too. She has a beautiful walk. There is nothing to knock about her. She is a May foal so there is plenty of room for improvement. The consignor has done a great job.”

The Invincible Spirit filly is out of Galileo (Ire) Mardie Gras (GB). She has produced two winners and is from the family of classy German performer Moonlady (Ger).

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