Strong trade at Goffs Strong trade from a broad domestic and international audience at Goffs Horses In Training and Open Yearling Sale on Friday resulted in significant increases across the board. Top lot in the Horses In Training section went to Sonapour (Lot 58) from the much sought after HH Aga Khan Stud draft. Offered by Michael Halford’s Copper Beech Stables, the winning half brother to Grade 2 hurdle winner Simarian was purchased by Kevin Ross Bloodstock for €130,000. Immediately preceding this from the same consignment, was the two time winning Shamardal colt Takapour (Lot 57) who sold for €115,000 to John McGrath. Trainer Eddie Harty meanwhile secured Maarek (Lot 108) for €95,000. Sold by Kilconnel Stables, the four year old son of Pivotal out of multiple Stakes winner Ruby Rocket is a three time winner on the flat. The Open Yearling section of today’s sale recorded massive increases on last year with strong competition for the better lots. Last year’s top price of €29,000 was well surpassed when Bobby O’Ryan paid €50,000 for a colt from the first crop by Fracas out of a daughter of US Champion mare Life’s Magic (Lot 157), consigned by Cahermorris Stables. Other notable purchases included a daughter of Acclamation from Derrinstown Stud (Lot 162) who sold to BBA Ireland for €40,000, as well as a Jeremy half brother to Group and multiple Listed winner Osterhase (Lot 179) from Rangers Lodge who was knocked down to Con Marnane for €38,000. Commenting at the conclusion of the day’s trade, Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby said: “As our largest shareholder His Highness The Aga Khan is a huge supporter of Goffs in so many ways and his annual consignment of horses in training is always a highlight of the Goffs year. "2011 has proved to be no exception but his 19 strong draft has proved that a vibrant market for horses in training exists at Goffs when we have the horses. Indeed we feel that today graphically illustrates that we provide a viable alternative for Irish trained horses with form. "The statistics for the Horses In Training compare very favourably with our last sale of this category in 2009 with 3 horses beating that years top price, headed by Sonapour’s €130,000 whilst the average advanced by a staggering 73% and the clearance rate improved by 13 points to a highly respectable 74%. "Yes, this sale very definitely has a future at Goffs and we will campaign enthusiastically next year to persuade last weeks travelers to stay at home, reducing costs and reaping the benefit of the combined efforts at home and abroad of the Goffs and ITM teams that delivered buyers from as far afield as Hong Kong, Singapore and China to compete with the UK and domestic bidders, so resulting in a highly competitive trade. "The Open Yearling Sale seeks to provide a low cost option for Irish breeders and provided a lively marketplace for the commercial yearlings catalogued. The format is different from the remainder of our calendar but, in common with the vibrant results seen this autumn not least at our Orby Sale, there has been strong competition for those that appealed and the statistics are every bit as spectacular as those anywhere with a staggering 120% rise in average and 150% median jump. Everything is relative but we are moving in the right direction and ensuring that every level of the market place is properly catered for at Goffs. "There is little doubt that we made the right decision to combine today’s categories and are pleased with a lively trade, healthy turnout and vastly improved figures in every sector. For now we can hardly wait for our November Sale which features a stunning collection of foals, some really classy mares and a new section of yearlings."
