Solid Demand at Goffs on Day Three

Newmarket-based Richard O'Gorman, now an important member of Sheikh Mohammed's Darley team, provided the highlight on day three of Goffs' Orby Sale in Co Kildare, Ireland, on Wednesday.

O'Gorman went to 270,000 euros ($332,937) for Hip No. 407, a second-crop King's Best colt out of group III-winning sprinter Catch the Blues consigned for breeder Helen Keaveney from Ballybin Stud.

The colt had been bought in for 55,000 guineas at last year's Tattersalls December foal sale and showed a bumper return on King's Best's advertised stud fee in 2002 of 35,000 euros (approx. $43,000). He is likely to join Godolphin.

Trade predictably stepped down a gear after the first two select days, with turnover being 6,489,500 euros ($8,002,202) and the average 34,519 guineas, but this was an improvement on the previous year with solid demand throughout the day.

It took 21 lots before the six-figure mark was first hit when Hip No. 336, a full-sister to last year's ill-fated Italian One Thousand Guineas (Ity-I) winner Golden Nepi sold for 110,000 euros. United States-based bloodstock agent Lincoln Collins of the Kern/Lillingston Association outbid trainer Hughie Morrison for the Revoque filly, consigned by breeder Eleanor Kent from her Ballyhampshire Stud near Fermoy in County Cork. The filly was purchased for a patron of Michael Bell's Newmarket stable. There were three others yearlings which fetched 110,000 guineas.

Later, local trainer Dermot Weld went to 115,000 euros for an Intikhab colt out of Marju Guest offered by breeder Michael Dalton from his Broguestown Stud, based close to the sales complex.

The second-last offering of the day, Hip No. 538, the Selkirk colt consigned by Airlie Stud also is set to become a Godolphin runner, being knocked down to John Ferguson Bloodstock for 180,000 euros.

The sale continues through Friday.