Goffs Arkle Part 2 Concludes With €70k Crystal Ocean Topper

A son of Crystal Ocean (lot 703) took pride of place during Part 2 of the Goffs Arkle Sale on Thursday.

The gelding, from the Woodhouse Stud draft, caught the eye of Gerry Hogan Bloodstock and Paul Nolan Racing and was secured for €70,000. Out of a full-sister to Grade 3 hurdle winner Cup Final (Presenting), the 3-year-old store is a grandson of multiple Grade 1-winning hurdler Asian Maz (Anshan).

Of the 229 horses offered, 176 (77%) sold for an aggregate of €3,192,500 (+42%). The average rose 20% to €18,140 and the median increased 14% to €16,000.

“Following a sensational Arkle Part 1 we were hopeful that today would return a vibrant trade and are pleased to have delivered a set of results that show improvement in every

area,” said Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby. “Arkle Part 2 is a viable and attractive alternative to the last two days and, of course, also has a strong record in the point-to-point field. An upswing in turnover, average, median and clearance rate is encouraging albeit these returns are at a lower level and a 77% clearance rate, whilst much better than last year, continues to point to a selectivity in places that has been increasingly evident away from the top in recent times.”