Business boomed at the Goffs Orby yearling sale, which ended its two-session run Oct. 4 in Ireland with increases from a year ago of 32.7% in gross, 46.8% in average price, and 38.1% in median price.
"Thank you. That is our overwhelming feeling at the end of an excellent sale," said Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby. "Our first vote of thanks goes to our vendors as they have provided us with a catalog of true quality that has been fought over by a diverse and deep buying bench from all over the world. On countless occasions in recent times, we have sent out a call to Irish breeders to send us their best and this year we were repaid with a catalog of the class, quality, and depth equal to any.
"I am delighted to say that our vendors have, in turn, been well rewarded by a sale of real strength and vibrancy that has comfortably surpassed last year's statistics in every area," Beeby continued. "It is no secret that last year's sale left us a little deflated and we took a long look at the format for 2012, deciding to really focus on quality to ensure that the Orby kept its position as a premier sale of the best in Ireland. That meant we published a smaller catalog but we were adamant that a certain standard had to be attained in the short- and long-term interests of the sale and stuck to our guns when discussing each yearling in the field. Of course we could have cataloged the same number as last year, but that would have compromised the sale and it is important the Orby lives up to certain expectations. Happily that policy has been well and truly vindicated with a set of figures that have surpassed our most optimistic expectations."
The auction's final results included a gross of €27,189,500 ($35,092,700) for the 301 horses that were sold. The average was €90,331 ($116,588) and the median was €58,000 ($74,859). The clearance rate was 84.8%, up from 80.4% in 2011, when 333 yearlings were sold.
"It has been a great pleasure to welcome so many buyers to Kildare Paddocks this week with visitors from 21 different countries," Beeby said. "Our regulars have been quick to comment on a catalog that has been a class above recent renewals whilst the newcomers, and those who haven't been to Goffs for some time, have all stated how impressed they have been with the consistency of the yearlings on offer."
A son of Galileo topped the second session and was the auction's most expensive horse, bringing €800,000 ($1,032,540). Form Bloodstock purchased the bay yearling from Tally-Ho Stud.
Bred in Ireland by Tom Twomey, the colt is a half brother to Lahaleeb (by Redback), who captured the 2009 E.P. Taylor Stakes (gr. IT) and was a group II winner in England. The yearling also is a half brother to another added-money winner in England, Precocious Star (by Bold Fact).
Their dam, the unraced Blushing Flame mare Flames, is a half sister to Dance Partner (by Danzero), a 2006 stakes winner in England.