The Goffs February mixed sale in Ireland got off to a rousing start, enjoying some big increases from a year ago in its key business figures.
The number of horses that were sold Feb. 15 rose 30.1% to 147. The gross revenue shot up 102.8% to €1,878,300 ($2,471,340 in U.S. funds). The average price soared 55.9% to €12,778 ($16,812), and the median price grew 19.6% to €5,500 ($7,237).
However, the clearance rate declined to 54.6% from 65.3% in 2011.
“We are delighted with the level of trade today,” said Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby. “An improved catalog has seen strong competition amongst a large and diverse group of buyers, and the fact that we have surpassed last year’s top-priced yearling on six different occasions clearly demonstrates the quality of horses on offer.”
A yearling daughter of Mastercraftsman commanded the first session’s highest price of €200,000 ($263,146). Tim Hyde purchased the bay filly from her breeder, Swordlestown Little.
The yearling is a half sister to Lilbourne Lad (by Acclamation), who captured the Dubai Duty Free Railway Stakes (Ire-II) and Alfred Nobel Rochestown Stakes in 2011. The colt also finished second in the Emaar Middle Park Stakes (Eng-I) and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes (Eng-II). Their dam, Sogno Verde (by Green Desert), won one of her 11 career races in Ireland.
The session-topping yearling was bred in Ireland.