Vibrant trade for breeding stock on final day of Goffs February Sale
A strong selection of breeding stock drew an international bunch of buyers to the final session of the three day Goffs February Sale today. Trade opened on a high note as the Dubawi filly out of Islington, Edith Wharton (Lot 498), from the Ballymacoll Stud Dispersal draft was knocked down to Andy Smith for White Birch Farm at €200,000, while the top price of the sale came late in the evening when Milltown Stud’s Group placed mare Military Angel (Lot 746 pictured), by Big Brown, was purchased by MAB Agency for €210,000.
Godolphin’s impressive draft accounted for half of the top ten lots of the day and included the Street Cry mare Expressly (Lot 726), a winning sister to three time Group 1 winner Rio De La Plata, who was bought by John Walsh Bloodstock for €90,000. Another from the same draft to make €90,000 was the Listed winner Sarinda (Lot 640), purchased by Rabbah Bloodstock.
Reflecting on the three day’s trade at the February Sale Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby said: “The Goffs February Sale has proved to be one of our real success stories of recent years as the preferred option for so many breeders. Indeed, as Europe’s largest mid-winter sale it regularly attracts a diverse catalogue and 2017 turned out to be no exception.
“Over half the catalogue was devoted to foals/weanlings/just turned yearlings – call them what you will – and we saw a virtual mirror image of the trends at the foal sales in late 2016. The best sold very well but there was a clear rejection of those felt to be the least commercial. However, the upper end of the market made advances with a higher top price than last year and more lots making €60,000 and over. The clear message is therefore to focus on quality as that is what the market requires although the supply versus demand ratio is a palpable worry for everyone breeding to sell.
“Today’s breeding stock sale has enjoyed a vibrant trade with the strongest sector again at the top end and a top price of €210,000 in the last few minutes of the sale. It was a genuine privilege to offer the first part of the complete dispersal of Ballymacoll Stud and fitting that their beautifully bred filly, Edith Wharton was one of the two lots to make the double century at €200,000. That she was bought by White Birch Farm from America, who was so active at Goffs last autumn, is a wonderful vindication of our ability to handle dispersals of such note and market them on a global scale. Alongside their first lots, and the last from the Wildenstein Stables Ltd Dispersal, we were supported with strong drafts from Godolphin, Moyglare, the Aga Khan Studs and several others of note, and we are grateful for their ongoing support of so many Goffs sales.
“As ever we are indebted to every vendor and all our purchasers from around the globe, and are delighted to have made a positive start to the year".
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