CRYSTAL Ocean will have power in numbers at the Goffs Arkle Sale this week, with 27 by the Beeches Stud sire set to be offered on the first two days.

It comes as no surprise, given that the son of Sea The Stars was the busiest new boy in 2020 with a first book of 280 mares, a figure that rose to 335 in 2023.

The world champion’s first crop sold for up to €120,000 as foals, with buyers including Aiden Murphy, Brown Island Stables, Kevin Ross, Ian Ferguson, Lakefield Farm, Oaks Farm Stables, Redpender Stud and Timmy Hillman.

Quality and quantity

Crystal Ocean’s Arkle offerings boast quality pedigrees, including nine siblings of blacktype performers, namely Ballyburn and Tintangle. Five of those catalogued are out of blacktype mares, the most notable of which is Grade 1 runner-up Aurore D’Estruval.

Buyers should take note of Crystal Ocean’s promising start on the flat, boasting four winners from seven runners to date, including Andrew Balding’s progressive colt Wild Waves.

Nirvana Du Berlais

As French pedigrees continue to dominate the leading NH standings, buyers will undoubtedly be keen to see the first three-year-olds by Nirvana Du Berlais, a Grade 1-winning son of Martaline.

The chesnut’s fee has remained at €6,500 throughout his career at Haras de la Hetraie, where he stands alongside the likes of Bathyron, Great Pretender and Kapgarde.

Nirvana Du Berlais already has a hurdle winner to his name, with the sire’s former trainer Arnaud Chaille-Chaille responsible for winning newcomer Shanyadame at Chateaubriant.

The sire’s exciting profile attracted 188 mares in 2023, along with a notable price of €105,000 for Diamond’s Saga at the Arqana Deauville Summer Sale last July. From eight catalogued at Goffs, six of Nirvana Du Berlais’ offerings are siblings of blacktype performers.

First crop of Irish Derby hero

The increasingly tough market saw Irish Derby victor Capri move to Willow Wood Farm after standing his first four seasons at Grange Stud.

Some notable judges bought the grey’s first foals, including the Crawford brothers, Gerry Hogan, Ian Ferguson, Kieran Shields, Mount Eaton Stud, Peter Nolan, Rathmore Stud and Redpender Stud.

His Arkle stores include a daughter of Grade 2 heroine Youcantcallherthat and a half-brother to Grade 3 scorer The Crafty Butcher.

Successful start

Kilbarry Lodge Stud will hope Success Days’ fine start continues at the Goffs Arkle Sale, where buyers have just two to choose from over the two days.

The likeable son of Jeremy won four group races for Ken Condon and Robert Ng, so it was fitting that the same connections provided him with his first winner in the shape of Gowran maiden victor Inner Success.

It came just days after two of his daughters sold for €37,000 and €36,000 to Rob James and Ballycrystal Stables respectively at the Tattersalls Ireland May Store Sale, their prices made particularly impressive by Success Days’ initial covering fee of €2,000.

Shrewd judges back Bande

Three geldings by Haras de la Haie Neuve resident Bande command respect based on the reputations of their shrewd consignors Moanmore Stables, Lakefield Farm and Treannahow Stables.

The Japanese St Leger third boasts a familiar pedigree as an Authorized half-brother to the top-class Doctor Dino, and presumably boasts conformation to match, having sold for €140,000 as a yearling.