Strong Sportsman's Sale Concludes Excellent Week For Goffs

Following on from an outstanding Orby Sale, today’s Goffs Sportsman’s Sale firmly established itself as Ireland’s second best yearling sale with strong trade throughout resulting in significant increases in turnover (+17%), average (+30%) and median (+40%) and a clearance rate of 81%.

Trade was headed by Stephen Hillen’s €75,000 purchase of a half-brother to the recent Group 3 Sirenia Stakes winner Glass Office from Staffordstown (Lot 455). Other highlights included Milestream Stud’s Arakan half-brother to multiple Stakes winner Katla () who sold for €67,000 to Johnny Murtagh.  Norman Steel earlier secured Oghill House Stud’s Shamardal filly () for €60,000, while another to make the same amount was a Raven’s Pass filly from Lumville Farm () who was knocked down to Skymarc Farm International.

At the conclusion of a great yearling sale week at 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 81% clearance rate and significant advances in turnover (+17%), average (+30%) and median (+40%).

It is no secret that there was some internal debate about the best date for this sale and I am glad that we listened to the feedback from the industry who unequivocally told us that the day immediately following the Orby was the preferred slot. That has certainly proved to be the case and the vibrancy of the last two days has continued today with another excellent session of trading that absolutely confirms the Sportsman’s Sale as second only to the Orby in terms of all measures relating to an Irish Yearling Sale.

That trade flowed from another diverse and deep buying bench from home and abroad following the dual approach of the Goffs and ITM teams working in tandem. We will look to capitalize on this success next year by further developing the unique identity of the Sportsman’s yearlings so that we provide a solid market for commercial yearlings to compliment the market leading Orby.

On a more sombre note we have been very sad to hear of the passing of two regular Goffs clients Jackie Grimes and David Medbury, both of whom have enjoyed many a success with us. We send our condolences to their families and also to James and Sally Bethell who tragically lost their daughter Jessica so suddenly yesterday. These kinds of events certainly put things into perspective and each family have been in our thoughts and prayers.

As yesterday I want to repeat our thanks to every client for their support over the last two days 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 certainly provided a very solid platform to make the case”.
 

Sportsman’s Sale Comparative Figures: