Significant Gains At Record Goffs November Sale

A record renewal of the Goffs November Sale drew to a close today with returns for the week showing significant gains on 2018, including a 25% rise in turnover, 24% increase in average and 21% up on median while the sale set an all-time highest price for a colt foal of €1,200,000 on Wednesday.

Today’s final session featured Parts 2 of both the breeding stock and foal sales and saw good demand for the better lots on offer.  The mares were topped by a Group 1 producer from Ballylinch Stud in Lidanski (Lot 1130), the dam of the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner Wizz Kid.  In foal to Fascinating Rock, she was purchased by Tullogher House Stud for €32,000.

The Part 2 foal trade was headed by a son of Dandy Man from Ballintry Stud (Lot 1183) whose winning 2yo own-brother has also been Stakes placed twice this year.  The colt was knocked down to Jamie B Bloodstock for €35,000.

Looking back on a memorable five days at the November Sale, Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said:

"What a week. Goffs November Sale has a rich history and the 2019 renewal is one that only adds to the story in a largely positive way.
 
Our Part 1 Foal Sale set records in every area headed by the world’s highest priced foal of the year so far at €1.2 million. He headed a trade of true strength and depth that reflected the quality of the foals entrusted to us by so many leading breeders who continue to send a bigger share of their best to Goffs. Indeed, our Day 3 sale was a superb representation of the cream of the 2019 foal crop with the very best of Irish foals joined by some notable UK bred youngsters leading to an average of just short of €100,000 and a whole sale median of €30,000. The quality of the catalogue allowed us to make significant advances at every level as we welcomed a wide cross section of pinhookers and end users to Kildare Paddocks.
 
The Breeding Stock Sale also recorded significant gains as an international audience battled it out for lot after lot on Day 1 (yesterday) and that trend continued through to this morning when a 71% clearance rate was returned. This is a sale with a tremendous track record on the racecourse and we have no doubt this year’s graduates will be responsible for their share of top class performers. Of course we would like more as we had several overseas buyers with unfilled orders so our task next year will be to attract a larger catalogue of quality to meet demand as our feedback is that our international visitors love their trips to Ireland and to Goffs as they see quality and value at every level.
 
Whilst the week is a statistical success and the headlines are very positive, it would be naïve of us not to recognise the ongoing challenges facing breeders. We have seen a relentless hunger for the best of the best at Goffs which underlines the enduring appeal of the best Irish bred bloodstock across the globe. However the trends that became clearer at the yearling sales meant that the foal market was increasingly selective for those that the pinhooking fraternity have doubts about for the 2020 sales. The polarisation of the market only appears to be increasing, and the double whammy of Brexit uncertainty and poor UK prize money is making the market tougher for the commercial breeder and trader. As an Auction House we will continue to work tirelessly to deliver the most vibrant market place possible at all levels and a look back at our Autumn Yearling Sale was testament to the hard work of our international network of agents and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, as reliance on the domestic market would have led to a very different result. However, along with a satisfaction of a good week overall, we will reflect on how we can further improve the market at every level in 2020.
 
For now we extend our thanks to every vendor, as we really are nothing without their horses, and our appreciation and best wishes to each purchaser as both groups have confirmed the Goffs November Sale’s market leading status once again".
 
 
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
 
Part 1 Foals

 
Part 2 Foals

 
Total Foals

 
Breeding Stock

 
TOTAL NOVEMBER SALE