Lively demand from a diverse international buying bench saw 80 yearlings command six-figure sums in the opening session of the Goffs Orby Sale Book 1 with Darley shuttler Blue Point (IRE) producing the top lot of the session.
In all, 210 lots sold from 246 offered, for a healthy clearance rate of 85%. More than €25 million was spent on the day, 1% up on last year, while the average price of €119,184 represented an increase of 8%. The median was €80,000, a 2% decrease on the corresponding session in 2023.
Church View Stables’ Tom Whelan described selling a Blue Point filly from Bloomfield for €850,000 as “the stuff that dreams are made of”.
The filly had a pedigree that was was significantly upgraded in the run-up to the sale
Lot 114, offered on behalf of her breeder John Connaughton, is a half-sister not only to Bay City Roller, who made €320,000 at last year’s Goffs Orby Sale and won the Group 2 Champagne Stakes in good fashion last month, but also Botanical, who ran a short-head second in the Listed Foundation Stakes last Wednesday.
“She was an absolutely beautiful filly, a queen,” said Whelan. “Every time she was pulled out of her box she walked perfectly and showed herself no problem. She was the same at home: she just has a great attitude. I’m so lucky that Mr Connaughton has trusted me with rearing his stock for so many years.
“The updates made the sale. We sold Bay City Roller here last year; he was a beautiful horse, he was a great athlete and walked for Ireland. This lady was a different type but had the same good attitude and athleticism.”
He added, with a lump in his throat: “I’m only a small operation, so to have stock of that quality is a huge thrill. I’ve been a long time at it, nearly 45 years standing outside doors trying to sell horses, and this was another level. I was standing in the bidding area while she sold and I actually had to sit down as my legs started to wobble.
“It means a lot, and to the lads at home, my head man Eddie Doyle and Pat Smith. The work they do is amazing. Without them I wouldn’t be here. It’s all teamwork. It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.”
The filly will go into training in Ireland after being signed for by Ananias Antoniadis on behalf of Agrolexica International Trading.
“She’s an outstanding filly with a beautiful pedigree that entitles her to be a high-class racemare and an excellent broodmare,” said the agent. “She's going into training with Joseph O’Brien for a central European owner.”
The top selling colt was by Frankel from Tisa River and made €780,000.
Debut Goffs Orby Sale consignor Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) got off to a fine start by selling a Frankel half-brother to the smart pair Bolt Action and Enchanting (Lot 10) to Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock for €780,000.
“Frankel needs no introduction, of course, and this colt is a lovely, big, strong and good-moving type who one can’t help but like," said St Lawrence of the close relation to Group 1-winning siblings Order Of Australia, Iridessa and Santa Barbara.
"He'll go into training in England for a client I don't often buy for. Hopefully go on and do well.
“There’s some really lovely stock here. Goffs have done a good job putting the catalogue together.”
