Fourpenny Lane, a 4-year-old stakes-winning daughter of Efisio, brought the top price of €100,000 ($148,700 in U.S. funds) as the Goffs November breeding stock sale ended its two-day run in Ireland Nov. 22. She was the most expensive horse sold during the entire auction.
Bloodstock agent Hugo Merry purchased Fourpenny Lane from Portlester Stud. Produced from the Lion Cavern mare Makara, the filly captured the Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Cooley Fillies’ Stakes on Nov. 13 and she will continue her racing career in Ireland.
The auction’s final figures showed a gross of €5,458,500 ($8,115,800) for the 304 horses that sold. The average price was €17,955 ($26,700), and the median was €10,000 ($14,900). Compared to 2008, when 312 horses were sold, the gross declined 29.5% from €7,740,000. The average dropped 27.6% from €24,807. And the median fell 28.6% from €14,000.
The clearance rate was 72.2% compared to 62.7% in 2008.
“The Goffs November breeding stock sale has yet again proved to be a truly cosmopolitan affair with massive numbers of overseas buyers dominating proceedings, headed by our regular visitors from India and Turkey,” said Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby. “As ever, it has been a pleasure to welcome such an enthusiastic group of breeders to Ireland, and we thank them for their continued passion for Irish pedigrees. I must make special mention of Hugo Merry and his Indian clients who have again made such a significant contribution to the sale.
“We have been satisfied with the two days trading, and especially the really lively day yesterday (Nov. 21), which has enjoyed a much improved clearance rate reflecting the buoyancy of the market. Whilst the other statistics may be down, we are not despondent as they reflect a smaller catalog which has perhaps lacked some of the stars of last year. Our challenge for the future is to convince some Irish breeders that they will achieve the very best prices for their best mares at Goffs just as they have for foals earlier this week and yearlings at the Orby sale. Indeed, so many breeders, buyers, and commentators have noted the strength of our foal trade, and we feel we have proved a big point which can only offer encouragement for the future.”