Goffs’ November Sale concluded Sunday with
the second half of the Breeding Stock section witnessing a fall in figures,
which was at odds with the increases seen with the foals. Both the cumulative
average of €17,955 and median of €10,000 represented 28-percent year-over-year
declines.
“We have been satisfied with the two days’ trading and especially the
really lively day yesterday, which has enjoyed a much improved clearance rate
reflecting the buoyancy of the market,” Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby said.
“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. By
entirely focusing on the horse in 2009 and producing tighter, more
quality-driven catalogs, we have returned vibrant trade at our flagship sales
and, whilst that may result in a reduced turnover for Goffs in the short term,
it has been universally praised and means we are laying solid foundations for
the future.”
Hugo Merry Bloodstock took home the two top-priced mares when
paying €100,000 for the four-year-old FOURPENNY LANE (Efisio) and
€95,000 for the 10-year-old NAJAYEB (Silver Hawk) in foal to Bahri.
The former,
consigned as Hip No. 1342 by Portlester Stud, captured the Cooley S. at Dundalk last week and hails from the family of 2005 Round Tower S.
(Ire-G3) winner
Abigail Pett (Medicean).
“She’s been bought for a client, who was
involved in horses like Archipenko, to go to the Dubai Carnival, but
it’s possible that she might take in a listed race at Lingfield next week on the
way there,” Merry said. “She’s a good filly who has won on turf and
Polytrack and will hopefully do well out in Dubai.”
Najayeb, consigned as Hip 1330 from Knockatrina House Stud, is a half-sister to Sakhee (Bahri) and is responsible
for Waseet (Selkirk), who had subsequent Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) hero
Vale of York (Ire) (Invincible Spirit) behind when runner-up in the latest
renewal of Ascot’s Royal Lodge S. (Eng-G2).
“We were actually underbidder on Najayeb
here last year when she made less, but she is carrying a three-parts sibling to
Sakhee and she has been bought for Sonha Stud where Noverre now stands,” Merry
added, before expanding on the destination of his purchases this week, “The
mares that we’ve bought are for leading stud farms in India. I’ve been buying
for India since 1991 and have built up a good relationship with various leading
farms in conjunction with Gautam Kotwal, who is India’s premier bloodstock
agent. We’ve had lot of success with various mares that we have bought in utero
and who have then gone on to produce Guineas and Derby winners in India.”
Full results are available on www.goffs.com.