The Goffs November foal sale ended its three-day run in Ireland Nov. 18 with a gross of €10,134,900 ($13,687,600 in U.S. funds) for the 399 horses that were sold (out of the 585 that were offered). The average price was €25,401 ($34,305) and the median price was €15,000 ($20,258). Both the average and median were up from a year ago.
In 2009, the 474 horses that were sold (out of the 718 that were offered) grossed €10,551,200. The average was €22,260 and the median was €13,000.
This year’s sale-topper was a Galileo colt that is the second foal out of 2006 Moyglare Stud Stakes (Ire-I) winner Miss Beatrix (by Danehill Dancer). Mertoun Paddocks purchased the weanling for €260,000 ($351,140) from JK Thoroughbreds.
“The vibrancy of the market underlined the enduring appeal of the best of Irish bloodlines and the positive approach and stamina of our foal buyers, be they pinhookers or end users from home and around the globe,” said Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby. “We have welcomed significant groups of both, and whatever the day, whenever a foal that looked the part entered the sale ring, there was no shortage of bidders.
However, Beeby described the market as “selective,” saying it was “very much a reflection of the 2010 European yearling sales in general.”