Ferguson tops Orby Part 2 with another Dubawi

John Ferguson purchased the Orby Sale topper at €950,000 yesterday and also topped today’s Orby Part 2 sale with another Dubawi yearling

This time it was the turn of Ballybin Stud’s half brother to German 1000 Guineas winner Portella () who was knocked down at €80,000. 

Anthony Stroud accounted for the next highest price of the day with a son of Marju out of an own sister to Stakes placed Approve ().  The Windgates Stud offering fetched €60,000.  This was followed shortly after by a Dubawi filly out of a half sister to May Ball, a Group 1 winner in France ().  Consigned by Kildangan Stud and John P. Jones, she was sold to Stamina Turf for €56,000. 

Commenting at the conclusion of the three day Orby Sale, which recorded an increase in the median, Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby said: 

“The general feeling over the last few days has been one of real positivity with Kildare Paddocks welcoming every targeted buyer to this year’s Orby Sale. Indeed, we have received countless compliments about our marketing of the sale although a lot of that is down to the superb racetrack results of Goffs graduates over the last 18 months. Those results flow from the excellent yearlings we have selected with our vendors each year and the pay back is that those Irish breeders who have supported us with their best stock have been well rewarded in the sales ring.

On the facts there is no denying that the market has been selective but there have been plenty of success stories and happy breeders/pinhookers especially on Days 1 and 2. That has been endorsed by the general consensus that the good ones have been as hard to buy as ever and we are grateful to the vendors who have stepped up to the mark with us. We must, however, repeat our call to the breeders of Ireland that we can only do it with your support. Goffs has undeniably the best facilities in Europe (if not the world), we have a team who combine experience with an enthusiasm that borders on obsession and we have proved, time and again, that we achieve the very best prices, and some might say a premium, when we have the best. Yesterdays top prices graphically illustrate the point and I must confess that we find it frustrating to do so well only to see good yearlings driving straight past Goffs to sales venues overseas. This was a point that was highlighted and commented upon by several leading buyers yesterday and we will focus upon in the next 10 months. 

This year’s sale has been a consolidation of our Focus is the Horse policy that we introduced last year with a smaller catalogue that placed the emphasis well and truly on the individual. That policy has certainly met with the approval of the buying bench which has been as strong as ever at any sale. We have been delighted to welcome a number of high profile new buyers to Goffs alongside our established purchasers and we wish them well with their Goffs yearlings. ITM have again worked tirelessly with us resulting in buyers from 20 countries investing this week, illustrating that Goffs really is the gateway to the world for Irish yearlings. 

The statistics may well show a slight fall in turnover and average but there are so many positives from the 2010 Orby Sale – a top price that was double last year’s, two lots realising over €500,000 compared to none last year, a 3.6% rise in the median price some significant new buyers who have vowed to return having been very impressed with all aspects of the sale and a really positive atmosphere from start to finish. Times may be tough but we are grateful for the ongoing support of our vendors and purchasers and will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of both groups.

Comparative Figures - Whole Sale (3 days)

Comparative Figures - Days 1 & 2