Part one of the Goffs Orby yearling sale in Ireland ended Sept. 30 in Ireland with an 11.1% increase in median price from 2008 and a 6.7% loss in average price. This year, there were two sessions in part one of the auction -- down from three last year -- and the sale's gross dropped 31.5%, in part because fewer horses were offered and sold.
The 326 yearlings that sold grossed 22,152,000 euros ($32,320,216 in U.S. funds) and averaged 67,951 euros ($99,152). The median was 50,000 euros ($72,959). In 2008, the 444 horses sold grossed 32,353,000 euros and averaged 72,867 euros. The median was 45,000 euros.
Of the 385 yearlings offered, 59 (15.3%) failed to find new homes. Last year, 65 (25%) of the 592 horses offered were bought back by their consignors.
Darley’s Joe Osborne, acting on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock manager, John Ferguson, signed the sale ticket for the second session’s top-priced yearling, a 320,000-euro ($466,934) Pivotal colt. Consigned by Moyglare Stud Farm, the bay yearling is out of the 18-year-old winning Sadler’s Wells mare In Anticipation. He is a half-brother to 2002 Ribblesdale (Eng-II) and Aga Khan Studs Blandford Stakes (Ire-III) winner Irresistible Jewel (by Danehill) and Diamond Trim (by Highest Honor), who captured the 2001 Finale Stakes in Ireland.
Adrian Nicoll of BBA Ireland purchased the second-most-expensive yearling, a Galileo filly that is the first foal out of 2004 Chippenham Lodge Stud Cherry Hinton Stakes (Eng-II) winner Jewel In The Sand. The mare is a 7-year-old daughter of Bluebird. Croom House Stud consigned the bay yearling.
The results for the auction’s second session only included a gross of 10,881,000 euros ($15,877,229) for the 167 horses that sold. The average was 65,156 euros ($95,074), and the median was 48,000 euros ($70,040). Twenty six (13.5%) of the 193 yearlings offered failed to find new homes.
New Jersey bloodstock agent Buzz Chace bought a Sir Shackleton-- Lady Lyra colt for 40,000 euros ($58,367) for West Point Thoroughbreds from River Downs Stud.