THE Aga Khan draft can be counted on every year to provide some of the highlights in the Goffs Autumn Horse In Training Sale and this year was no different when Kadeen topped proceedings by selling to Gordon Elliott for €100,000.

The three-year-old son of New Approach had shown a consistent level of form for Michael Halford and Tracey Collins, winning at the Curragh in August and attained a rating of 75. Elliott signed for him in conjunction with Noel and Valerie Moran’s Bective Stud and said: “He’s a nice horse and shouldn’t be long getting to the track once we get him jumping; he is for Bective Stud so hopefully he will be lucky for the Morans.”

Another Aga Khan offering, Zariygann was bound to attract the attention of the jumps fraternity as a half-brother to the Gordon Elliott-trained Grade 1 performer Zanahiyr.

Also trained by Michael Halford and Tracey Collins, the Sea The Moon colt finished fourth on debut at Roscommon in September before running unplaced at the Curragh and it was no surprise to see the triumvirate of Gordon Elliott, Eddie O’Leary and Mouse O’Ryan enter the fray when bidding commenced.

However it was Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland who went the distance when the hammer fell at €62,000. Donohoe was acting on behalf of owner Joe O’Flaherty who has enjoyed plenty of success over the years with trainer Jessica Harrington.

The previous Aga Khan horse into the ring was Darazeni and this son of Intello was led out unsold at €48,000 but afterwards was acquired privately by Ed Stapleton Bloodstock for €50,000.

O’Connell purchase

Churchwarden ran an eye-catching race for Eddie and Patrick Harty when finishing sixth in a maiden at the Curragh behind Milwaukee earlier in October on his second start, finishing two places ahead of Zariygann. Trainer John McConnell took note and went to €54,000 to secure the Baroda Stud-consigned three-year-old son of Parish Hall.

“He has the makings of a nice dual-purpose horse and we will get him home and get him jumping and will start him off over hurdles,” McConnell said. “He had a nice run at the Curragh recently, is unexposed and, looking at what similar types were making in Newmarket last week, I think he was good value. I just have to find an owner for him now!”

Willie McCreery offered the Frankel gelding Fernao on behalf of owner/breeder Ballylinch Stud and the lightly-raced four-year-old was bought by Carol Walsh for €55,000.

Off to Spain

Fellow Curragh trainer Johnny Murtagh offered a gelding with a good CV in Save Your Love and this dual winner was knocked down to Edgar Byrne for €50,000. The three-year-old raced in the silks of his breeder Ms Pat O’Kelly and the half-brother to Banimpire won a competitive handicap at Leopardstown in July.

The gelding is destined for Spain with Byrne revealing: “I bought him for Guillermo Arizkorreta, the champion trainer of Spain. We bought four last week and had room for one more and this guy ticked the boxes nicely.”

The Noel Meade-trained Lunar Power also fetched €50,000 when selling to Donald McCain. Offered by Peter Nolan, the five-time winner won over hurdles at Ballinrobe on his penultimate start and, being only a five-year-old, should have plenty more to offer.

At the close of business 92 of the 121 (76%) horses offered changed hands for a total of €1,275,700. The average came in at €13,867 while the median price was €7,500.

Lack of entries

Goffs’ boss Henry Beeby said: “As is nearly always the case on this day of the year we reflect on a busy and vibrant day of trade but bemoan the lack of entries. We so want to do more and will continue to strive to grow the catalogue as the time and date makes so much sense with so many overseas buyers combining a visit with our large two-day Autumn Yearling Sale.

“Goffs HIT is a convenient, low-cost option when compared to the alternative and is promoted around the globe by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and our network of international agents, but they can only work with what we have which makes it a challenge. That said trade today has been strong for those that stood out and, as ever, we are indebted to the HH Aga Khan draft who have topped the sale with another six-figure winner.

“So I make no apology for repeating our annual cry following this sale as we’re here, we’re keen and everything is in place for today to be the natural choice for Irish horses-in-training but, as with every category, we cannot do it without the horses. The buyers are here as today’s results will see horses heading for the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden as well as the UK whilst, of course, many will stay on these shores and the prices exceed expectations in so many cases. So it’s really up to Irish owners and trainers to give us the chance as we are confident we will deliver.

“All that said it is disappointing that the statistics have fallen back, although the upper end of the market has proved marginally stronger with a higher top price and more at €50,000 and above.”