JP McManus has confirmed the trainer of his next potential superstar jumps horse – who cost a whopping half a million.
Walkonseas was an impressive four-length winner of a point-to-point at Lisronagh on debut.
Champion trainer Dan Skelton has been sent the wallet-busting new JP McManus recruit Credit: PA
Skelton has already provided the sport’s biggest owner with a Cheltenham Festival winner in the shape of The New Lion – and hopes will be high for Walkonseas Credit: Getty
He measured his fences well and showed an impressive turn of foot to scoot clear before going under the hammer at the Punchestown sales last April.
McManus struck the winning bid of around £500,000 to secure the son of Walk In The Park, who is out of a full-sister to Listed hurdle winner Presence Of Mind.
Denis Murphy of Ballyboy Stables, who purchased Walkonseas for €85,000 at last year’s Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale before putting up for sale again, said at the time: “He never put a foot wrong over the last few days.
“Days like this are rare. I can only wish Mr McManus the very best with him in the future.”
McManus is famed for spreading his vast army of horses around and giving nigh-on every trainer a chance to have a winner in his green and gold silks.
But it’s often the big names that dominate at the big festivals and that’s why Walkonseas has gone to champion trainer Dan Skelton.
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McManus and Skelton enjoyed Cheltenham success with The New Lion in 2025 when he captured the Turners Novices’ Hurdle.
And both will be hoping for more from Walkonseas after he fetched a record-equalling sum at the sales.
Quizzed on whether he thought the horse was worth the cash, McManus said: “Ask me in 12 months if he was value.”
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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