The Goffs February Sale drew to a close with its mares and mixed bloodstock session yesterday and posted encouraging figures. A total of 180 horses changed hands yesterday for €2,873,600 and a buyback rate of 18.1%, which was down substantially from last year's mark of 36.1%. While the average was down 18.6% to €15,964, it is important to consider that last year's session was boosted by the sale of Jim Bolger's Group 1 winner Night Visit (GB) (Sinndar {Ire}) for €975,000. The median is therefore a more accurate reflection of the health of trade: it was up 41.7% to €9,000.
Including Wednesday's short yearling session, 330 horses changed hands at Goffs this week for €5,350,500. The cumulative average was up a shade to €16,214, while the median jumped 39.2% to €9,750. The buyback rate was down to 19.3% from 31.7%.
Yesterday proved to be a great day for the Grassick family's Newtown Stud, which sold the top two lots. The sale topper was lot 446, the 6-year-old Oasis Dream (GB) mare Dreaming of Rubies (GB) who was bought by BBA Ireland for €220,000. The winning mare is carrying her first foal by Dawn Approach (Ire)–whose first crop will be foaled this year–and is herself a half-sister to two stakes producers, including the dam of G2 Gimcrack S. and G2 Norfolk S. winner Approve (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and listed winner Cape of Approval (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}). Dreaming of Rubies is also a half to the stakes-placed Alo Pura (GB) (Anabaa). Her dam, Rubies From Burma (Forty Niner), is a half to the G1 Fillies' Mile and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Culture Vulture (Timeless Moment).
Earlier in the day, agent Mick Flanagan had gone to €130,000 to secure lot 349, the 12-year-old In The Wings (GB) mare Fringe (GB). The chestnut has produced three winners, including the G3 Prix Daphnis victor Master Carpenter (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), and she was sold in foal to Champs Elysees (GB). She is a sister to the stakes winner and producer Mount Elbrus (GB) (Barathea {Ire}), and her dam is a full-sister to Rafha (Kris), the dam of Group 1 winner and leading sire Invincible Spirit (Ire). It is also the family of Italian champion filly Nayarra (Ire) and G1 Pretty Polly S. victress Chinese White (Ire).
Flanagan told the TDN, “She was the best mare in the sale, and in foal to an exciting stallion. Hopefully the Champs Elysees turns out to be a nice type. The mare will more than likely head down to Australia. Invincible Spirit, sire of I Am Invincible, appears under the second dam, which is obviously a big plus.”
The only other six-figure sum of the day was paid by Watson Bloodstock for lot 269, the 3-year-old colt Arif (Ire) (Nayef) from the Aga Khan draft. Arif was second first-out for trainer Mick Halford at Dundalk Dec. 19, and broke his maiden at that venue Jan. 16 after the catalogue was published. He hails from the family of G1 Irish St Leger winner Alandi (Ire) and G1 Irish Derby victor Alamshar (Ire).
Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby said upon conclusion of the sale, “Goffs has enjoyed an excellent run in recent years and we are delighted to have started 2015 in the same manner. Our two-day February Sale recorded the only six-figure prices at the new year European breeding stock/mixed sales with four in total.”
He added, “Yesterday's full day of foals/just turned yearlings is the clear European market leader for the category and returned a truly vibrant trade to pick up where the November Foal Sale left off. We returned significant increases in every sector with last year's top price being eclipsed three times with a high of €145,000, and the number passing the €50,000 mark more than quadrupling.”
He continued, “Whilst today's sale lacked a standout of the caliber of Night Visit, who topped last year, there was no easing off and today's statistics also show improvement, allowing us to have enjoyed yet more growth over the whole sale to build on the 45% rise of 12 months ago.”
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