TRADE softened a bit for the final session of the Goffs Foal Sale on Thursday but there was still plenty of competition for the choicer foals and the clearance rate held up fairly well at 72% for the duration of the day.

After four days of selling total turnover for the auction amounted to €25,950,500, a dip of 12% compared to last year.

The average price of €36,346 also represented a drop of 9% but the median held firm at €24,000, as did the overall clearance rate of 79%.

Goffs CEO Henry Beeby said: "It is fair to say that the week was approached with a degree of trepidation as some of the later yearling sales were far from easy, but we have been delighted to welcome a huge group of buyers who set off with enthusiasm and determination on Monday and continued right through to the close of business today.

"Several first and second season sires really caught the imagination and those established names that deliver every year were highly sought-after, provoking a number of serious bidding duels on each day. Some of those led to very happy breeders and we are just so pleased to deliver for them as we are nothing without their beautiful foals.

"Alongside a vibrant atmosphere it must also be noted that this year’s figures do not match last year’s which we described as “sensational” 12 months ago.

"Indeed, there is no doubt that there is a degree of correction in the market and it was not all good news for some. That said this year’s numbers come in on a par with 2021, a strong sale in its own right, and there are definitely more positives than negatives to take away from the four sessions, not least a median that equals last year’s record with the number of six-figure and €50,000-plus lots only falling short of last year but ahead of 24 months ago."

Irish National Stud stallion Phoenix Of Spain sired some classy horses in his first crop, namely Group 2 winner Haatem and a son of the stallion topped trade on Thursday when selling to Finn Kent for €90,000.

Consigned by Galbertstown Stables the chesnut out of Almarada is a half-brother to six-time winner in France Get Set while the mare’s two-year-old Almarada Prince has won his last three races in Britain and is now rated 91.

It is a family quite familiar to Finn Kent as he bought Almarada Prince at the Goffs UK Breeze Up for £40,000 and he said: “When I saw this horse catalogued I got quite excited and couldn’t wait to see him.

"I wasn’t disappointed either, as he’s an exceptional foal with great movement and he’s been very well reared and presented. The stallion has made a good start with not too many runners as well so I’m delighted to have gotten him.

"He has been bought to eventually go into training with Craig Lidster who also trains Almarada Prince who is a horse we think a lot of. Craig trains near York and has made a very good start to his career.”

Browne's boys

Willie Browne’s appetite for trading bloodstock certainly isn’t diminishing and the Tipperary man added a number of foals to his string on Thursday.

Chief among them was a Sioux Nation colt from John Tuthill’s Owenstown Stud who cost €62,000. The foal is out of Anniemaymarie who is a half-sister to multiple group winner Space Traveller who is set to embark on his first season as a stallion at Ballyhane Stud in 2024.

Browne also signed for an Earthlight colt from Eithne Hamilton who cost €33,000 and who is a half-brother to triple winner Erich Bloch. The Mocklershill Stables man also paid €32,000 for a Starman colt from the family of Dubai Prince.

Another Tipperary-based trader who got involved was Ciaran Conroy. His Glenvale Stud signed for a colt by Sioux Nation for €58,000. This colt is out of French juvenile winner Beyond Dance.

The Tally-Ho team continued its extensive shopping and when they purchased a Kodi Bear colt from Ringfort Stud for €45,000, it was the O’Callaghans' 22nd foal purchase this week.

The Westmeath family had earlier bought a colt by Sea The Moon from Brownstown Stud for €50,000. This foal is the first out of the Frankel mare Touch Of Luck whose pedigree traces back to Absurde, a champion two-year-old filly in France.

Late in the session Joe Rogers of Ballintry Stud offered a Churchill filly out of the Teofilo mare Lucht Na Gaeilge and she was knocked down to Noreen Maher for €42,000, while the third last foal in the ring, a colt by Cotai Glory, was bought by Nick Hartery’s Caherass Stud for €46,000.

The two-day Breeding Stock Sale, which includes the Niarchos Draft, starts on Friday morning.

COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR FOAL SALE

Offered Sold Turnover (€) Average (€) Median (€) Top (€)

2023 902 714 (79%) 25,950,500 (-12%) 36,346 (-9%) 24,000 700,000

2022 918 740 (81%) 29,584,000 39,978 24,000 550,000