The opening session of the Goffs February Sale featuring short yearlings yesterday posted gains across the board. With just three more horses offered than 12 months ago and 14 more sold, the gross rose by €760,200 to €2,474,900 for 148 sold. The buyback rate dropped six points from last year to 20.8%, while the average rose 29.8% to €16,610. The median was up 29% to €10,000.
The highest price of the day was €145,000, paid by Ronald Rauscher of Equine Associates for lot 188, a filly by Shamardal. Consigned by Abbeville and Meadow Court Studs, the February foal is the first foal out of the winning Scarlet Belle (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}), a half-sister to German Group 1 winner Neatico (Ger) (Medicean {GB}); GII Las Palmas S. winner Beautyandthebeast (GB) (Machiavellian); and the dam of dual Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Calvados Blues (Fr).
The first-crop weanlings by Sea the Stars' three-quarter brother Born To Sea (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) proved popular in this ring at the Goffs November Foal Sale last year, and that trend continued yesterday when lot 39, a colt by the new Irish National Stud resident, notched the second-highest price of the day at €90,000. Bred and consigned by Swordlestown Stud and purchased by Jamie Railton, the bay is a half to a pair of winners and is from the immediate family of G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner Belmez and GI Arlington Million winner Debussy (Ire).
Born to Sea was also the sire of a €60,000 colt purchased by agent Richard Knight.
Coolmore's Excelebration (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) was last year's third-leading first-crop weanling sire by average ($85,321) behind Frankel (GB) and Nathaniel (Ire), and the triple Group 1-winning miler was represented yesterday bylot 154, a colt who was picked up by BBA Ireland for €85,000. Bred and consigned by Moyglare Stud Farm, the bay is a half to G3 Sirenia S. winner Love Lockdown (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}). G1 Criterium International winner Vert de Grece (Ire) falls under the second dam, and his third dam is the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Trusted Partner (Affirmed), the dam of GI Matriarch S. heroine Dress To Thrill (Ire) and the dam of group winners Custom Cut (Ire), Sapphire (Ire) and J“TDN Rising Star” J Free Eagle (Ire).
A pair of colts by Darley sires fetched €80,000 yesterday: lot 58, a colt by Iffraaj (GB) purchased by BBA Ireland, and lot 192, a Casamento (Ire) purchased by Jamie Railton.
The mare session of the Goffs February Sale takes place today.
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