Goffs Consolidates In Strong Year

Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby described 2015 as a “year of highs” for the Irish sale company when Goffs released its annual comparative figures Tuesday. High points for the sale company in 2015 included the sale of six €1 million-plus lots–including a top price of €2 million; the highest-priced colt foal in Europe; the top-priced horse in training in the UK and two European Classic winners.

“We are, of course, delighted to have all but matched last year's annual turnover at just short of €110 million and consolidated the remarkable growth we have recorded over the last five years,” Beeby said.

“Four millionaires at the Orby Sale for the first time and to four different buyers was backed up by another two European Classic winners to exemplify the Orby Sale's position as a premier European yearling sale,” Beeby continued. “The November Foal Sale set a record for the second year in succession when the Dubawi–Nightime foal became the highest-priced colt foal ever in Ireland at €1.1 million. His price proved to be the highest-priced colt foal in Europe and Europe's highest-priced Irish foal of the year.”

“The November Foal Sale was immediately followed by a strong renewal of our Breeding Stock Sale, which recorded some impressive statistics with turnover up by 26% and the average growing by 20%,” Beeby said. “As referenced following our November and December Sales, the one note of caution is the clearance rates that have demonstrably dropped as catalogue sizes have grown this year, and that should cause us all to reflect on a rising foal crop given what we learned a few short years ago. It is certainly worth thinking hard about a market that is enjoying fierce trade for some but little interest in others. So perhaps we should pause for a moment as we consider plans for 2016 and beyond, as it behooves us all to ensure we learned from the tough times we endured in 2009/10.”

Beeby concluded, “we make no apology for repeating our cry to Irish breeders to send us more of their best, at the same time as thanking every single vendor who has supported us in 2015, as we are nothing without them. We also extend our thanks to the growing number of buyers from home and abroad who recognize and enjoy the unique Goffs service; we look forward to welcoming clients old and new back to our sales in 2016.”