AS expected following a superb opening session on Tuesday, the Goffs Land Rover Sale concluded this evening with its best set of results to date which returned notable gains in all key areas.
An appreciably greater depth of demand over the course of the two days set this sale apart from last year and resulted in a turnover of just over €15.3 million, which was a 13 point progression on 2018, and it is notable that this advance was achieved without some of the stratospheric prices from 12 months ago.
The average of €36,544 was an improvement of six points and represents a new high for this sale, and the same accolade was achieved by the €30,000 median which was up some 20% on last year’s figure.
Even further cheer was supplied by the clearance rate which improved from 79% to 86%. In all, this was a Land Rover Sale for the ages.
TOP LOT
A €90,000 son of Beat Hollow held sway on the second and concluding session of the sale when falling to trainer Martin Brassil, who also signed for Tuesday €185,000 sale-topper.
This Philip O’Connor-owned gelding is a half-brother to the very useful Masons Daughter, and he enjoyed a notable update at Cork a few months ago when his sister Roseys Hollow made a winning debut in a bumper.
“He’s from a young, progressive family and he’s just a very nice type of horse. His sister looked good when she made a winning debut at Cork and he’s by a very good sire who Willie (Mullins) has done very well with over the last few years,” said Brassil.
Harold Kirk then weighed in a few minutes later when he saw off Ross Doyle for a €75,000 gelding hailing from the first crop of the Deutsches Derby winner Sea The Moon, whose initial flat runners have shaped with distinct promise.
“He’s a very nice horse and he could be an exciting dual-purpose type in time. I’m a big fan of the sire who has done very well already and this horse is a lovely, athletic type from a good flat family,” stated Kirk. “He’s just the sort of horse that Willie (Mullins) could do very well with under both codes and we’re delighted to have gotten him.”
LATE IN THE DAY
Just a few lots from the end of the sale there was one last notable transaction which came when Aidan O’Ryan spent €70,000 on a son of Elusive Pimpernel offered by Peter Nolan. This gelding is out of a half-sister to the Grade 1-placed runner Tamweel.
“He’s been bought to go to Gordon Elliott for existing owners. Through the likes of Coeur Sublime, the sire has been lucky for Gordon already and he’s a proper horse who might well have made more had he been for sale here on Tuesday,” reported O’Ryan.
David Minton was once again to the fore on day two as he spent €60,000 on a son of Shantou belonging to Bannow Bloodstock whose relations include the Cheltenham winner Back In Front.
A €50,000 son of Getaway that was knocked down to Colin Bowe was among the many horses bought to begin their career in point-to-points. A similar future awaits a €40,000 Fame And Glory gelding who was picked up by Monbeg Stables.
The day’s top priced -filly was a €43,000 daughter of Yeats out of a Listed-lwinning French jumper who was bought by Derek Tobin, whereas Joseph O’Brien was looking forward to next year after picking up a son of Joshua Tree for €40,000.
“He’s a lovely horse and I remember Joshua Tree well from riding him when he was in Ballydoyle – he was a very good horse. This horse is a nice, athletic type and hopefully he’s one to look forward to,” stated O’Brien.
Part II
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2019 247 221 177 3,602,500 20,353 17,000
2018 273 243 177 3,118,000 17,616 15,000
2017 248 220 181 3,653,500 20,185 16,000
2016 258 218 174 2,385,100 13,707 11,500
Entire Sale
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2019 527 488 419 15,312,000 36,544 30,000
2018 540 500 396 13,605,000 34,356 25,000
2017 508 434 380 12,270,500 32,291 28,000
2016 610 534 449 11,795,600 26,271 20,000
2015 550 505 437 11,722,500 26,285 20,000