Following on from some excellent trade in this sector last month, the opening day of the Goffs December National Hunt Sale provided further evidence of the well-being of the foal market as it posted an improved set of returns on Wednesday evening.
Interestingly the corresponding day in 2016 produced three lots that made at least €50,000 but while only one foal managed that feat yesterday the market contained greater depth and demand. The number of lots to make at least €30,000 grew from 10 to 15 and the final figures made notable progress on last year’s.
The day’s aggregate of just under €2.3 million was a 26% progression on 2016 while the average of €12,103 and the €10,000 median grew by 11% and 25% respectively. It was also heartening to see the clearance rate jump from 64% to 71%.
FRISBY BUYING SPREE
The day’s top price came when Dick Frisby forked out €50,000 for a Ballincurrig House Stud-consigned son of Walk In The Park whose prowess as a jumping sire has been amply illustrated by the likes of Min and Douvan. Frisby’s purchase is a half-brother to King’s Odyssey who is a leading fancy for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
“He’s a lovely colt and was a standout foal here today. He’s the first Walk In The Park that I’ve bought and I thought he was as good a foal by the sire that I’ve seen this year,” said Frisby. “He’ll be back for resale as a three-year-old and hopefully we might get a nice update with King’s Odyssey on Saturday.”
Frisby, whose winning pointer Good Man Jim fetched £360,000 at Cheltenham last month, was busy sourcing talent for future store sales and he picked up a number of the day’s most sought-after foals.
The Glenwood Stud man was the day's top spender, giving a total of €206,000 for seven foals.
His purchases included a €39,000 son of Leading Light from Conna Stud whose siblings include the very useful Minella Awards. He also went to €37,000 for a son of Soldier Of Fortune related to the smart Whatuthink while he gave €33,000 for a Presenting colt out of the useful Noras Fancy. These will also be reoffered as three-year-olds.
FERGUSON'S FLEMENSFIRTH
Cheltenham Festival-winning Ian Ferguson, who picked up a number of choice lots at Tattersalls Ireland last month, was once again to the fore when going to €40,000 for a son of Flemensfirth. This colt was offered by Ballincurrig on behalf of Cathal Ennis’ Quill Farm and he is out of a half-sister to the Grand National scorer Ballabriggs.
As expected there was plenty of demand for the progeny of Getaway who continues to make a big impression with his initial crops of runners and the sire was responsible for a €37,000 colt who fell to Kevin Ross.
“He’s a good looking colt with plenty of scope and he’s a very athletic type too,” reported the trainer’s wife Anna. “The sire is going very well and he’s coming from a nice, active family. He’s been bought on behalf of Chris Jones’ Killenn Glebe.”
Ross also spent €30,000 on a colt hailing from the first Irish crop of the top-class middle-distance runner Conduit who initial years as a stallion were spent in Japan.
Elsewhere Gerry Merrigan had to go to €32,000 for a Sageburg half-brother to the very promising Willie Mullins inmate Mystic Theatre who has won four of her five start over hurdles this season. This price was matched by a colt from the first crop of the English St Leger winner Kingston Hill. Duhallow Bloodstock signed for the half-brother to last season’s Grade 1-winning novice chaser Coney Island.
As the day drew to a close Gerry Hogan splashed out €34,000 for a colt by the Cape Cross horse Jet Away who showed some quality form in Britain and Australia during his racing career. This colt is out of a half-sister to the high class Monkerhostin.
COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR DAY 1 OF THE GOFFS DECEMBER NATIONAL HUNT SALE
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AVG MED
2017 285 258 184 €2,227,000 €12,103 €10,000
2016 293 253 161 €1,762,500
READ RYAN'S FULL SALE REPORT & MARKET COMMENT IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND