A Dubawi filly became the highest-priced horse sold so far during the Goffs Orby yearling sale in Ireland, bringing €950,000 ($1,282,260 in U.S. funds) during the second session Sept. 29. Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock manager, John Ferguson, purchased the bay yearling from Kilcarn Stud.
The filly is a half sister to Echo of Light (by Dubai Millennium), who captured the 2006 Prix Daniel Wildenstein Castel Marie-Louise de la Baule (Fr-II) and four group III events in England and France. The yearling also is a half sister to English stakes winner Akarem (by Kingmambo). Their dam, the winning Sadler's Wells mare Spirit of Tara, finished second in the 1997 Blandford Stakes (Ire-II).
A son of Invincible Spirit brought €550,000 ($742,363) to become the most expensive colt sold in the auction so far. Coolmore Stud agent Demi O’Byrne bought the bay yearling from Cahermorris Stables.
The colt is the third foal produced from Saoire (by Pivotal), who won the 2005 Boylesports Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I). He is a half brother to the winner Pink Diva (by Giant's Causeway ).
Goffs reported that 305 yearlings were sold during the first two sessions. They grossed €19,952,000 ($26,930,300) and averaged €64,416 ($86,946). The median price was €45,000 ($60,739). The clearance rate was 78.6% for the 388 horses that were offered.
Last year, the 326 horses that sold grossed €22,152,000 and averaged €67,951. The median was €50,000. The clearance rate was 84.7% for the 385 yearling that were offered.
| 385 | 326 | 22,152,000 | 67,951 | 50,000 |