A Rip Van Winkle half brother to Irish classic-winning filly Just The Judge topped the Goffs November foal sale when selling for €420,000 ($566,061 in United States funds) at the final session Nov. 21.
Standing with Sheikh Fahad Al Thani of Qatar, bloodstock agent David Redvers secured the handsome bay colt from the Jockey Hall Stud consignment. From the first crop of Coolmore's Irish-based stallion Rip Van Winkle, the youngster was among 16 six-figure horses sold at a dynamic final session, which boosted the four-day sale's overall bottom line.
Total receipts rose 22.6% compared with last year's sale and median climbed 13.3% while average price showed a slight gain.
There were 688 horses sold for an aggregate of €18,082,200 ($24,373,546), an average of €26,282 ($35,426). The median price was €17,000 ($22,915). The clearance rate was a healthy 83.7%.
The sale topper is the fifth foal out of Rainbow Quest mare Faraday Light, who has produced three winners from as many starters, including 2013 Etihad Airways One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) winner and QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) runner-up Just The Judge and promising 2-year-old Obliterator, a debut winner at the Curragh Sept. 14 for trainer Ger Lyons. Faraday Light is a half sister to English group III winner High Heeled, who finished third in the 2009 Epsom Oaks (Eng-I).
"We've taken a gamble as the sire is unproven, but we liked the look of his yearlings and this colt ticked all the boxes as a physical specimen. He's very correct, has great action, and real presence, and he's a nice one to add to the armory," Redvers told Racing Post about the top-priced weanling, who was bred in Ireland by Joan Keaney Dempsey.
Also at the final session, John Ferguson, bloodstock adviser Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, went to the sale's second highest-price of €360,000 ($485,116) for an Acclamation filly out of Sogno Verde, by Green Desert. The filly, offered by Swordlestown Little, is a full sister to group III winner Lilbourne Lad and a half sister to group III-placed Bobbyscot.
Three horses sold for €200,000 ($269,509) or more, including two fillies for €250,000 ($336,898) each: Lodge Park Stud bought Rossenarra Stud's daughter of Sea The Stars out of the Overbury mare Ardbrae Lady; and Ferguson bought Newtown Stud's daughter of New Approach out of the Orpen mare Aria di Festa.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum's Shadwell Estate landed Middlelane Farm's colt from the first crop Dream Ahead for €200,000. Out of Love And Laughter, by Theatrical, the colt is a half brother to two-time Canadian grade I winner Wigmore Hall.
Goffs' November yearling sale immediately followed the foal sale and was topped by a Mastercraftsman half sister to two stakes winner for €50,000 ($67,374). Bought by Meridian International, the colt is out of the winning Trempolino mare Bounce and was offered Grangemore Stud.
The Goffs November sale continues Nov. 22-23 with a breeding stock sale.
