Increases across the board at Goffs Sportsman's Sale

A brilliant week of yearling sales at Goffs concluded with a superb renewal of the Sportsman’s Sale which showed once again why it is second only to the Orby Sale in Ireland.

Spirited trade throughout recorded a remarkable 61% increase in turnover, 11% jump in average, and median was up 14%.

The Sportsman’s sales topper was bought by John Ferguson who went to €100,000 for a daughter of Fast Company whose two year old sister Hurryupharriet was a recent Listed winner at Ayr.  The filly () was consigned by Newlands House Stud. 

Among the other Sportsman’s highlights was Tinnakill House’s Rip Van Winkle colt () from the family of Group 2 winner Baron’s Pit who was knocked down to Alberta Panetta for €68,000, while a well related son of Yeats from Barronstown Stud () was sold to Richard Wilmot-Smith for €62,000.  Another two yearlings to fetch €62,000 were Galbertstown Stud’s Big Bad Bob filly () from the family of Gordon Lord Byron who was snapped up by BBA Ireland, while Johnny Murtagh secured a son of Starspangledbanner from Railstown Stud ().

Commenting on the day's trade Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby said: 

"Today’s Sportsman’s Sale has continued the very positive trends of the wonderful two day Orby Sale with an impressive 84% clearance rate and significant advances in turnover (+61%), average (+11%) and median (+14%) for the second year in succession. Our 6 figure top price is also a major rise on last year and clearly demonstrates the strength and depth of the Sportsman’s buying bench.

These impressive statistics follow last year’s 30% and 40% leaps in average and median and resulted from the continuing vibrancy and intensity of the last two days with another excellent session of trading that absolutely confirms the Sportsman’s Sale as second only to the Orby for Irish yearling sales when analysing average price, median and clearance rate. That the latter figure has grown despite a 40% bigger catalogue is further proof of the strength of the day.

That trade flowed from another diverse and deep group of buyers from home and abroad following the dual approach of the Goffs and ITM teams working in tandem. We will look to further develop this sale next year by building on the unique identity of the Sportsman’s yearlings so that we provide the best Irish market for commercial yearlings to complement the market leading Orby.

As yesterday I want to repeat our thanks to every client for their support and restate to the breeders of Ireland that we will not rest in our quest to make Goffs the first choice for Irish horses at all levels of the market; the last three days has absolutely proved what can be done…"

Sportsman’s Sale Comparative Figures