‘They don’t make many like him’ - pinhookers land monster profit as €9,000 Kodi Bear colt sells to Godolphin for £500,000

“We knew he was going well but that’s just a dream,” said a stunned Johnny Hurley in the aftermath of his Kodi Bear colt, a mere €9,000 investment, being knocked down to Godolphin at £500,000. 

A queue of well-wishers lined up to offer Hurley and his wife, Danielle, their congratulations after pulling off what will surely prove one of the most remarkable pinhooking successes of the year.

Despite the colt’s humble yearling price tag he boasts plenty of pedigree. The youngster is out of the Group 3-placed Legitimus, who in turn is out of a sister to the dam of The Queen’s Hardwicke Stakes and Yorkshire Cup scorer Dartmouth. 

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Once Hurley regained his composure he expanded on the circumstances around purchasing the colt from Deerpark Stud during Book 2 of last year’s Orby Yearling Sale. 

“I actually bought a horse off the same vendor for €48,000 on the Thursday night,” he said. “This horse was on the Friday morning, but the first horse was a box walker so he went back, and we were left with him. He was only a cheap yearling, but I’d valued him at 25 or 30 grand. He’s always been a gorgeous horse.” 

The colt put in one of the quicker breezes during Wednesday morning’s workouts, and Hurley said his charge had been a natural athlete from the word go. 

The £500,000 colt was purchased by Johnny and Danielle Hurley for €9,000 as a yearlingCredit: SARAH FARNSWORTH

“He’s been a dream to prep,” he said. “He goes away, does his work, he’s just a pro. From the first day it’s all been easy to him, and there’s a ton of improvement in him too; he’s big and scopey. They don’t make many like him. 

“We love taking them away. They get onto the box, they go wherever, do their work and come back and sleep. We bring them to Curragh, we started doing it two years ago and I think it’s been great. Now, when they come to a sale, they’re in the groove straight away.” 

While this may be Woodlands Lodge’s biggest result in the ring they are no strangers to producing smart runners. At this sale last year they sold the two-time winner Rajeko to Nick Bell for £79,000. The son of Kameko also finished second in the Listed Spring Cup Stakes and was fourth to Whistlejacket in the Group 2 July Stakes. 

The couple mix producing Flat and National Hunt stock from their base in Midleton, Cork. When asked what he planned to do with the windfall, Hurley said: “A holiday, new stock, a bit of everything to be honest.” 

He added: “This takes the pressure off because we’ve had a slow year with the point-to-pointers. It’s great. It’s crazy.”

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