FEATURING in the leading consignors’ table has almost become a given for David Cox and Tamso Doyle’s Baroda Stud at this stage, and the Co Kildare operation looks set for another bold show with 50 yearlings catalogued at Goffs Orby Book 1 and 2 this week.

A Lucky Vega filly represents something of a '360' moment for the team, who sold her Group 1 winning sire at the 2019 sale, while the consignment also features the progeny of leading sires such as Frankel, Kingman and No Nay Never.

Top-class pedigrees are an obvious draw, but David Cox is keen to stress that their drafts includes horses for all budgets. “We’ve a lot of horses by commercial sires like Calyx, Mehmas, Sergei Prokofiev, Sioux Nation, Starspangledbanner- they’re not top end stallions, they’re all very much commercial and get good racehorses.

“I think it’s important that trainers don’t think there’s no point in going to the Orby because they can’t afford the horses- they’re not going to meet anyone sitting at home. If they go, they’ve a chance of buying a horse or getting one off a client.”

Those shopping at previous Baroda drafts have been repaid handsomely, with the farm responsible for 42 two-year-old winners, 17 three-year-old winners and 11 blacktype winners last season.

Economics is among four Group 1 performers and a total of nine group winners in 2024 so far, while listed-winning two-year-olds Apples And Bananas and Usdi Atohi were sourced from Baroda’s 2023 Orby draft.

The American dream

Usdi Atohi races for the American-based Barry Fowler and Steve Weston, and US buyers were key to a strong renewal of the Orby last year. “They seem to really enjoy coming to Goffs,” Cox reflects. “I was in Keeneland and it sounds like there’s another good group of them coming again this year.

“They enjoy coming over, it’s easy for them to get here, and they reckon they can buy nice turf horses with a bit of value. I was talking to a guy who said he loves the Orby because he thinks there’s a sweet spot between 80 and 150, where he can buy a really nice turf horse to race in Ireland or bring back to America.”

Cox described trade in Keeneland as ‘very strong,’ which hopefully bodes well for their spend at Goffs. “The prize money for the turf races over there is very good and the best turf pedigrees are over here, so it makes sense for them to buy here and bring them back. Irish-bred horses are in demand internationally; it’s well-recognised.”

Cox picked up on some other interesting news during his trip, which may be something of a prediction for what’s to come in Ireland. “There’s been a big drop in broodmares in America, with about 700 less covered, because the market is weaning them out.

“It’s going to have to happen here, because there are too many horses in these sales who just aren’t good enough. You have to look further down the line and ask where are these thoroughbreds going. The only way people are going to cut back on their mares is through their pocket, really.”

Reality bites

On the current market, Cox comments: “There’s plenty of trade; there’s a lot of people there to buy horses, but the problem is that the cost of the horse and getting them to the sale has gone up so much more. And it’s not like prize money has gone up with it, either.

“We sold all of our horses at Part 1 of Tattersalls Ireland,” Cox continues. “Now, I’m not saying that all people made money out of them- it’s been very tough, but there were people to buy them.

“Doncaster wasn’t bad, Somerville was tough. Maybe the horses weren’t good enough, but maybe the cost for breeze-up guys to buy over there and bring them back is affecting it. Between breeze-up buyers, trainers and international buyers, trade has been very good the last two days (at Tattersalls Ireland).”

Cox is hopeful of more of the same at Orby 2, where their draft includes progeny pf proven sires like Kodiac, Teofilo and New Bay. “There are some nice horses in there, nice colts,” he said.

“I’m sure the breeze-up men will be very active at Orby 2 - they have been the last few years. They’re going to be shopping in sterling after Goffs, and they’ll have to pay the shipping costs coming back, so I’d imagine they’ll try to get as many here as they can.”

All in all, David Cox appears optimistic ahead of Goffs. “The Orby has been very good to us over the years, we’ve sold a lot of good horses there and we’ve broken the million mark a couple of times. It’s our premier sale in Ireland, so it’s important to support it, and fingers crossed it’ll be another strong sale.”

Mark your catalogue

Baroda Stud’s bloodstock and consigning executive Padraic Gahan highlights some potential stars in their Goffs Orby Book 1 draft:

Lot 36: Offered on behalf of China Horse Club, this strong colt is by a solid sire in New Bay, out of a blacktype mare. He is a very forward-going type.

Lot 63: This is a full-brother to the 104-rated Baroda graduate He’s A Monster, whose full-brother we sold to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for €240,000 at the Orby last year. Owned by the Imperium Syndicate, this sturdy colt is in a very similar mould to both his full-brothers.

Lot 117: This Mehmas filly is a classy sort with plenty of scope for Yulong Investments. She has a pedigree that should have huge appeal

Lot 206: This Diamond Creek Farm-owned Frankel filly has a lovely action and outlook. Being the first foal of a two-year-old winning sister to Roly Poly and U S Navy Flag, we expect her to be particularly popular

Lot 228: This easy-moving Kingman colt is out of a full-sister to five stakes horses and his sire has had a fantastic season. Lot 243: From the active family of triple Grade 1 winner Anisette, this Frankel filly is an own-sister to two talented horses, including Group 3 winner Mohaafeth

Lot 391: This filly by St Mark’s Basilica was bought by Ross Doyle on behalf of owner Steven Rocco from the Gestut Hony Hof Dispersal. She is a very good example for a first-season sire.