Irish sales company Goffs concluded at solid week of auctions on Nov. 24 in County Kildare, Ireland, with its two-day breeding stock sale posting considerable gains in key economic indicators.
This year’s breeding stock sale lacked the fireworks of last year’s edition, when multiple group winner Bamimpire sold to U.S.-based owner Martin Schwartz for €2.3-million ($3,122,479), a Goffs November record price. But buoyed by that transaction, Goffs offered an improved catalog of mares this year and promoted it as an international buying bench. Those efforts resulted in double-digit increases in total receipts and median as well as a healthy uptick in average price and an improved clearance rate.
Goffs reported that 293 of 394 horses offered were sold for an aggregate of €8,154,000 ($10,582,051), up 17.4% from 2011, when 262 horses were sold. Median price also rose by double digits, climbing 10% to €11,000 ($14,276). Average price was €27,829 ($36,116), up 5%.
The clearance rate improved from 66.5% in 2011 to 74.4%.
“Last year we proved some massive points in this respect at this sale and none more so than with Europe’s highest-priced filly Banimpire who made €2.3 million,” Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby said. “Her sale allowed us to promote our breeding stock sale on a different basis and attract a significantly better catalog of mares that we could promote to a global audience.
“Several major Irish breeders stepped up to the mark with some excellent drafts and we are just so pleased that their faith in Goffs has been richly rewarded by a trade of depth and consistency. That is best illustrated by the number of six-figure lots rising from six last year to 17 at this sale. That those 17 lots were spread across 12 different buyers also points to the wide diversification of buyers who were attracted to the sale by the ongoing efforts of the Goffs marketing team working side by side with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing.”
Group I winner Chelsea Rose brought the overall highest price of €450,000 ($583,998), when sold to BBA (Ireland) on opening day Nov. 23. Offered in foal to Tamayuz, the 10-year-old Desert King mare is the dam of stakes-placed Hamlool and five-time winner Pale Orchid among three starters.
Winner of the 2004 Moyglare Stud Stakes (Ire-I), Chelsea Rose mare is out of the winning Trempolino mare Cinnamon Rose, who also is the dam of stakes winner European. She was consigned by her breeder, Airlie Stud.
The week began with Goffs November foal sale from Nov. 19-22 at Kildare Paddocks.
A colt from the second crop Sea The Stars colt topped the foal sale when Tom Goff of Blandford Bloodstock went to €310,000 ($402,310) to secure the colt.
Consigned by Jockey Hall Stud, the colt was bred in Ireland by Anthony Stroud and James Hanley. He is out of the winning Shirley Heights mare Mood Swings, who has produced eight winners, including group III winner Grand Ducal.
Due to buyer demand, the foal sale was expanded from three days last year to four days and 120 more foals were cataloged. A total of 18 foals sold for €100,000 ($129,777) or more, compared with 10 last year, while the number sold for €50,000 ($64,889) or more grew from 54 to 79, evidence of the strength of trade during the week.
Overall, 570 of 762 horses offered were sold for €14,747,350 ($19,138,732), up 2.2% from 2011 when 496 horses were sold.
The average price of €25,872 ($33,576) marked an 11% decline from last year, and the median price of €15,000 ($19,467) was off 6.2%.
A small November yearling sale took place following the foal sale Nov. 22 with figures surpassing the inaugural session in 2011, including a 167% increase in median price.
Of a dozen offered, 11 sold for an aggregate €257,000 ($333,528), up 21% from last year for the same number sold. Average price also was up 21% to €23,363 ($30,320), and median was €16,000 ($20,764).
Trainer Jim Bolger bought of the top-priced yearling, going to €105,000 ($136,266) for a French-bred New Approach colt, a half brother to 2005 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Fr-I) runner up Fauvelia. The youngster, who is out of the winning Doyoun mare Marion, was consigned by Grange Hill Stud.
“Our small yearling section has built on its strong start last year with a new high price of €105,000 and a 21% rise in average, and it provides a viable alternative for yearlings that have missed their first choice sale earlier in the autumn,” Beeby said.
For complete sales results, visit www.goffs.com.
