The third lot into the ring on the feature day of Goffs November Foal Sale provided the highlight of a superb Part 1 foal trade that saw turnover rise by 43% and average by 22% over the equivalent sessions in 2016. Lot 541, a stunning filly foal by Galileo and full sister to Group 1 winner and Melbourne Cup runner-up Johannes Vermeer sold for €1.1 million to Hugo Lascelles on behalf of American interests. Offered by The Castlebridge Consignment, the filly was one of three Galileos on offer today and the only foals by the Champion sire to be sold at public auction anywhere in the world this year. Ken Bolger purchased the remaining two Galileos including a colt out of Australian Group 1 winner Melito (Lot 569) for €625,000 along with a filly out of New Zealand Group 2 winner, Fix (Lot 732) who was knocked down for €400,000. First season sires were once again popular as Shadwell Estates bought the first Muhaarar foal through the ring, a colt out of Group 1 winner Miss Beatrix (Lot 575) for €340,000. A total of 50 lots made €100,000 or more compared to 31 in 2016 with 10 foals making north of €250,000 compared to just four in 2016. Trade was unrelenting as the third highest and very last lot of the day saw a Sea The Stars colt (Lot 752) knocked down for €460,000 to Peter Vaughan on behalf of Capital Bloodstock.
A large number of pinhookers were in action at Goffs during Part 2 of the November Foal Sale. Spirited bidding for the more commercial foals on offer led to a much improved clearance rate over the corresponding day last year. The sales topper on the first day was Galbertstown Stud’s colt from the first crop of Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf winner Outstrip out of a half-sister to the dam of Group 1 winner Almanaar (Lot 1442). He sold for €39,000 to Tally Ho Stud. Earlier David Myerscough went to €38,000 for a Delegator colt (Lot 1347), the first foal out of a sister to a multiple Stakes winner consigned by Rochestown Lodge Stud. Another to make the €38,000 mark was Lot 1471, a son of War Command from Highpark that was purchased by Castlehyde Stud. A son of Elzaam from Annfield House (Lot 1329) provided another of today’s highlights, falling to Ballyhane for €34,000. Bobby O’Ryan and Suzy Barkley later secured a colt by Dandy Man from Ballinalard Stud (Lot 1439) for €30,000, the same amount paid by Timmy Hillman for Ardreigh Stud’s Zebedee brother to three winners (Lot 1536).
The topper on Day 2 was a colt from the first crop of Kingston Hill (Lot 1613), that was sold by Ridge Manor Stud to Euross for €26,000. Other foals in demand included Lot 1596, a colt by Ivawood consigned by Jossestown Stud who sold for €23,000 to Rockview Stables, and later in the day a colt by Pastoral Pursuits, Lot 1627, who sold to Martyn Meade Racing for €22,000 consigned by Clonmult Farm.
Reflecting on the entire November Sale and this year’s new format, Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby said: "That Galileo is the best in the world, and even perhaps ever, is undisputed and his influence was very evident at Goffs this week topping both the Foal and Breeding Stock sections of our November Sale. Prices of €1.9 million for Inca Princess (Lot 970), in foal to Galileo, and €1.1 million for her Galileo foal (Lot 541) clearly demonstrate yet again that the best sell best at Goffs.
These were the highlights of a hugely successful November Sale for the many breeders who entrusted their best to us. Following consultation with a broad range of vendors and purchasers the sale was reformatted into three sections and the initial feedback from both groups was that the change was overwhelmingly positive. However, nothing is perfect and we will take some time to review the whole sale before deciding how we can improve it still further in future years so that all sectors benefit. Since last weekend Kildare Paddocks has been buzzing and that positive atmosphere was very evident from the moment the first foal entered the sales ring on Monday morning. Statistically the Part 1 Foals advanced in every area with a mighty 81% clearance, more than double the number breaking the €250,000 barrier and significantly more making over €100,000 whilst the average leapt by 22%. For the third time in four years the sale was topped by a millionaire foal but the constant of the week has been the sustained demand at all levels as end users and pinhookers battled each other for lot after lot each day. The Breeding Stock Sale continued the trend with top prices of €1.9 million, €950,000 (twice) and €750,000 to buyers from France, Japan, Ireland and the UK graphically illustrating the global and enduring appeal of this sale, and they were the highlights of another incredibly strong renewal of our mare and filly dispersal with strong trade especially in the opening session which enjoyed a clearance rate of 85%. Whilst the bare statistics of the breeding stock showed a sale that was down we are quite content as, of course, last year included the once in a generation Wildenstein Stables Ltd Dispersal which saw 28 beautifully bred fillies and mares adding over €7.8 million to the totals. Take those away from last year and the statistics make for very happy reading with turnover, average and median all advancing whilst we have made significant gains versus the dispersal free 2015 sale. Trade has, of course, been at a lower level over the last two days of the Part 2 Foals but the number of buyers inspecting foals from Friday vindicated the decision to change the format and gave these foals greater exposure to potential purchasers. No one is denying that the going has been tougher but we would suggest that has been very much a reflection of the polarised yearling market that was so evident this autumn. The improved clearance rate over the two days, up 11 points to 66%, is a plus and we will continue to work hard to provide the best possible market for this category. Overall the five day Foal Sale has made strong gains over 12 months ago returning an impressive 77% clearance with the average and median leaping by 29% and 33% respectively so cementing the Goffs November Sale’s market leading position for the best Irish foals. The two days of Breeding Stock welcomed a massive international group of buyers following proactive campaigns by the Goffs team and our colleagues at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. Our combined efforts resulted in 25 countries being represented on the buyers list with bidders travelling from as far afield as Japan, Australia, USA, Argentina, China, Iran, Russia with a regular visitors from India, Turkey, and, of course the UK. In conclusion the week has proved a great success with so many pleased clients. Even without a dispersal of the stature of the Wildenstein Stables Ltd. Dispersal, every statistic has advanced which is so very gratifying and vindicated vendors’ decision to use the Goffs service. As ever we are grateful to every purchaser and indebted to our vendors who have trusted us with some of the very best mares, fillies and foals on the market, and have been duly rewarded with a strong and vibrant trade to match any.
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Part 1 Foals
Total Foals
Breeding Stock
*2016 Figures include Wildenstein Stables Ltd Dispersal: 28 sold for €7,859,000, average €280,679, median €143,000
TOTAL NOVEMBER SALE