Four-year-old gelding War Diary (GB) (Declaration of War) (lot 1), winner of a premier handicap at The Curragh on his fourth start in June, for Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez and trainer John Murphy, topped the boutique Goffs Champions Sale on Saturday when knocked down to trainer Mick Halford for €200,000.
Five horses were offered in the parade ring prior to the start of Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown Racecourse, with two finding new homes. In addition to War Diary, Murphy also sent out the winning 2-year-old Think Big (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) (lot 5), who was picked up by Charlie Gordon-Watson for €100,000.
“The Champions Sale is set up to give a unique opportunity to owners of quality flat horses, to showcase their horses in front of an international audience,” said Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby. “We judge our flat boutique sales by different standards in that vendors are delighted if they sell for a good price, but equally are not overly disappointed if they do not sell. That was very much the case today, the two that sold, sold very well and the three that did not will race on for their existing connections and we wish them all well. The Goffs Champions Sale provides Goffs with another showcase on the international stage and has a bright future.”
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