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Overseas buyers continued to play a major role on the third and final day of the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale which ended on Thursday evening with a clearance rate of 77% and an average price of €8,737. The median price over the three days was €5,000. Overall the figures matched if not bettered last year's sale, which was a fair achievement as there were almost 50 extra yearlings offered this year.
Trainer Sheila Lavery bought the top lot on Thursday, a Pinatubo colt from the family of Sea The Moon. Out of a German mare, he is a half-brother to Golden Lyra (by Lope De Vega) who won a French listed race for trainer William Haggas two years ago.
Lavery said: “I fell in love with Pinatubo the day I saw him win at the Curragh, I’ve been trying to buy one for two years. He’s a really nice solid colt with a serious pedigree and has been bought for a new Irish based syndicate."
Other notable purchases included a son of Mehmas (Lot 641) who will target the Breeze Ups next year having sold to Tom Whitehead of Powerstown Stud for €60,000. The colt was consigned by Conor Walsh of Beechlane Stables who said “I’m delighted, he sold very well and exceeded expectations. It worked coming here as he was a late foal so it gave him time. There are plenty of people here to buy”.
A Starspangledbanner filly, the first foal out of the Invincible Spirit mare Sendmylovetoyou who is a winning own sister to Group 1 placed Emblazoned, sold to Marco Bozzi Bloodstock for €57,000.
One of five yearling purchases this week by Harrowgate Bloodstock was a Nando Parrado colt out of Miami Breeze from Lewinstown Farm that sold for €52,000.
Agent Bobby O'Ryan was the leading buyer over the three days, signing for 30 yearlings.
Goffs CEO Henry Beeby noted the hard work put in by the Goffs team and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing in attracting overseas buyers to Kildare this week, which drove trade.
"A staggering 125 horses have been bought to go to Eastern Europe and we extend our particular thanks to Kishore Mirpuri who has coordinated an enormous group of enthusiasts who have added character alongside some serious bidding to the week," Beeby said.
"The home team have been proactive too with eight of the top 10 yearlings staying in Ireland, whilst one heads to the UK and another to Italy, a country that has also proved a major contributor accounting for a further 55 yearlings. Another 15 will race in China."
Describing the sale's clearance rate of 77% as "acceptable", Beeby added: "Our overseas buyers have been absolutely vital as a market without them would be unimaginable so our investment in this sector has been more than justified and we repeat our thanks to each one as well as our appreciation of every vendor for the trust they have placed in us once again."
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