Vibrant trade on the opening session of the two day Goffs February Sale saw the clearance rate increase significantly to 65% from 47% on the corresponding day last year and a growth in median of 15%.
This sale has proven to be an excellent source of pinhooking success and the speculators were out in force once again today, led by Ciaran Conroy of Glenvale Stud who secured the highest price lot of the day, aDylan Thomas colt () out of a half sister to Group 2 Prix Niel winner Housamix and the Group 1 placed Housa Dancer. TheCorrin Stud offering, who is also closely related to Grade 1 winner in the US Alexander Tango, was sold for €53,000.
Bobby O’Byrne earlier went to €44,000 for a yearling daughter of Hurricane Run fromSlievemurran Stud (), she is a half sister to Group 3 CL Weld Stakes winner Red Rioja, while Robert Allcock paid €43,000 for Corbal-lis Stud’s Azamour half brother to eight winners including Stakes winner Dohasa () to be reoffered in the autumn.
Comparative Figures
| Offered | Sold | Aggregate (€) | Average (€) | Median (€) | |
| 2011 | 173 | 113 | 926,100 | 8,195 | 4,600 |
| 2010 | 230 | 109 | 1,005,800 | 9,228 | 4,000 |
The sale continues at 11am tomorrow with a quality selection of older horses and breeding stock.