Godolphin swept into action during the second session of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale purchasing the top three lots that included a €2million Frankel colt and a €1million Frankel filly, while Yulong also made their presence felt securing a Night of Thunder filly for €600,000.
The average over the two days of trade clocked in at €128,594, a 5% increase on last year's figure, and the median was €80,000 with a healthy 85% clearance.
Two lots made seven-figure sums during today's final session, led by the €2 million sale-topper, one of seven lots signed for by Godolphin.
Representatives of Godolphin and Coolmore crossed swords on Croom House Stud’s widely admired Frankel colt out of the Listed-winning Invincible Spirit mare Loch Lein (Lot 323), with Anthony Stroud emerging triumphant for Godolphin with a bid of €2 million.
“He’s a lovely horse, a first foal by Frankel, and everybody on the team liked him,” reported Stroud. “We had to stretch a long way to get him, but we’re pleased to have purchased him for Godolphin.
"It’s a compliment that Coolmore also wanted him, as they are fantastic at what they do, second to none really.
“He’ll go to Charlie Appleby. With that pedigree you’d hope he could become a stallion prospect, but who knows?”
Croom House Stud owner Denis Brosnan was delighted with another fine result at Goffs’ yearling sales, having previously sold here the likes of Damson, Drumbeat and Foundation, as well as Cabaret, the Group 3-winning dam of stallions Magna Grecia and St Mark’s Basilica.
“He was an outstanding foal and yearling all the way through, and he has a great pedigree, a stallion’s pedigree,” he said. “I’m delighted that Anthony Stroud has the horse, as Godolphin have missed out on some of our really good ones over the years. Let’s hope this is another good one for them.
“Loch Lein’s dam Ashley Hall was the most expensive mare we’ve ever bought at $825,000, but she was well bred as a Maria’s Mon half-sister to Bandini and luckily she’s passing on the great genes she has.
“It’s actually interesting how Loch Lein ended up with Frankel. Sweepstake, our top mare, was supposed to go to him but that autumn we had to remove an ovary from her and she couldn’t go. Loch Lein was in training with Jessica Harrington and I had to ring her and tell her that she was about to lose one of her top fillies, as she was going to Frankel instead. She wasn’t happy, but it worked out!
“Loch Lein was supposed to stay in training at four, she won a Listed race and was twice touched off in Group 3s, so I’m sure she was a Group winner in waiting. She’s in foal to Wootton Bassett and has Saxon Warrior colt on the ground. We’ll be back here next year with him.”
Stroud dug deep on behalf of Godolphin for another choice Croom House Stud offering later in the session, giving €600,000 for a Wootton Bassett half-brother to black-type pair Roulston Scar and Special Purpose (Lot 415) from Pussycat Lips.
“Every now and again we come up with touches like these,” reflected Brosnan. “It keeps the fires burning for another while. The team at home give it everything, so they heartily deserve this success.”
Stroud was not to be denied in securing several other in-demand lots for Godolphin today. He also gave €1 million for a Frankel half-sister to top-class racemare Sandrine from Staffordstown (Lot 465) and €900,000 for a Sea The Stars colt from the black type-packed German family of Almandin and Alson from Norelands (Lot 267).
Looking back on a good day at the office, Stroud said: “There are some very nice horses overall, and if the horses are here, we will be here and trying to buy.
“We’ve bought a range of horses but, needless to say, they’re all well-bred and by mainline stallions, and they all come from top farms. We’ll find out over the next two years how they work out, but at this stage we’re very happy.”
Yulong’s Australian boss Vin Cox was at the sale and signed for a Night of Thunder filly from Group III placed Showcasing mare Model Guest for €600,000.
Yulong purchased five yearlings in total including two colts by their young sire Lucky Vega for €150,000 and €100,000.
