Banimpire is headed to this country to continue her racing career after commanding €2.3 million ($3,099,370 in U.S. funds), during the opening session of the Goffs November breeding stock sale in Ireland. Michel Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock purchased the 3-year-old daughter of Holy Roman Emperor for Martin Schwartz Nov. 18.
Goffs reported that an eventual start in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships “is very much in mind” for Banimpire, who is the most expensive racing filly, broodmare prospect, or mare ever to be sold at Goffs. Consigned by trainer Jim Bolger's Glebe House Stables, she is out of Irish champion My Renee (by Kris S), who was a stakes winner in England.
Banimpire has won seven of her 16 career races and has earned $654,536. All six of her victories this year came in stakes, including the Ribblesdale (Eng-II), Keeneland Royal Whip (Ire-II), Kerry Group Noblesse (Ire-III), Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Blue Wind (Ire-III), and P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax (Ire-III) stakes. She finished second in the Qatar Prix de l’Opera (Fr-I) and Darley Irish Oaks (Ire-I) and was third in the Lodge Park Stud E.B.F. Park Express Stakes (Ire-III).
The results for the auction’s opening session included a gross of €6,205,200 ($8,361,820) for the 163 horses that were sold. The average price was €38,069 ($51,300) and the median price was €16,000 ($21,561). Compared to last year, the gross and average each rose 55.7%, but the median declined 11.1%.
The clearance rate was 68.5%, compared with 69.4% in 2010, when 163 horses also were sold.