It’s all about Frankel as Goffs Orby Part 1 wraps up with ‘solid figures’

Cover image courtesy of Goffs

Sale topper thrills Croom House Stud

Croom House Stud boss Denis Brosnan opened up on how a gamble to back Goffs with some of the farm's best yearlings this year paid off when the County Limerick-based operation's Frankel (GB) colt (Lot 323) out of Listed winner Loch Lein (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) brought an Orby Sale-topping €2 million (AU$3,222,000) to Godolphin on Wednesday.

Gallery: Lot 323 - Frankel (GB) x Loch Lein (Ire) (colt), images courtesy of Goffs

Godolphin also snapped up a €600,000 (AU$966,600) Wootton Bassett (GB) colt (Lot 415) from Croom House Stud and Brosnan, one of the most successful businessmen in Ireland, said that Goffs chief Henry Beeby lived up to his promise in finding the buyers if the Orby was rewarded with the right stock.

He said, “It's great. We came to Goffs with seven horses this year and obviously we have good horses selling at Tattersalls next week as well. But we put our faith in Henry Beeby. He said that, if we brought the horses, he'd find the buyers. We took him at his word and it's worked out well for the two of us.”

Brosnan added, “There was nobody who hadn't vetted the Frankel. We've never had as many vets. It was just a case of who had the most money. We're delighted that he's gone to Godolphin and Charlie Appleby because it's the first time that they have gone big on Croom House Stud horses and we hope that the Frankel and the Wootton Bassett work out for them.”

Frankel filly is second top lot

A Frankel (GB) filly (Lot 465) brought €1 million (AU$1,611,000) from Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin during the second day of the Goffs Orby Sale Book 1.

Consigned by Staffordstown, the bay filly is a half-sister to multiple Group winner Sandrine (GB) (Bobby's Kitten), who has been placed in both the G1 Cheveley Park S. and G1 Falmouth S. for breeder Kirsten Rausing. The dam, four-time winner Seychelloise (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), is a daughter of G3 Prix d'Arenberg heroine Starlit Sands (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}).

Australian buyers add several interesting lots

Mark Player was busy at Goffs for PR Thoroughbreds, while Yulong was also active there. “The sale was very strong, holding the figures from last year and the buyers were very competitive,” Player told TTR AusNZ.

“Yulong was very active, buying five, and were active across the whole sale with colts and fillies. They were represented by Mr Zhang himself and Vin Cox. They bought a Night Of Thunder for around $1 million Aussie, a beautiful moving filly. The Mehmas was a terrific mover, and they purchased one of the nicest examples of the Lucky Vegas there. It’ll be good to see how his Australian crops sell next year.”

It was a productive two days for Yulong, with the operation spending €1.31 million (AU$2.1 million) on five yearlings, including two by its own young Irish National Stud-based stallion Lucky Vega (Ire) at €150,000 (AU$241,000) and €100,000 (AU$160,000) respectively. The haul was headed by Eddie O'Leary's homebred €600,000 (AU$965,000) Night Of Thunder (Ire) filly (Lot 357) who is out of Group 3-placed winner Model Guest (GB) (Showcasing {GB}).

“For PR Thoroughbreds, that’s Rob Roulston and myself, we bought three. The Camelot colt who is a half to Harlem was a terrific moving colt, similar to his brother, and great value. He’ll come back to Australia. Being a Camelot means he might take a bit of time, but that will suit the program that our clients like with these staying types.”

Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) won the G1 Australian Cup twice, and his Irish-bred half-brother from Casual (GB) (Nayef {USA}) cost €80,000 (AU$129,000).

“We bought a Sea the Stars filly, Lot 40, who is very attractive, for the same ownership group as See What I See. And a lovely moving Zelzal filly, and both will come back to Australia too.”

Lot 40, the filly by Sea The Stars (Ire) cost €160,000 (AU$257,000) and is a full sister to Australian Listed Winter Cup winner Al Aabir (Ire) out of unraced mare Wo De Xin (GB) (Shamardal {USA}). The Zelzal (Fr) filly cost €70,000 (AU$113,000) and is a half-sister to French Listed winner Think Of Me (Ger) (So You Think {NZ}).

Champion Thoroughbreds announced on their Instagram that they purchased lot 487, a colt by Camelot (Ire) from unraced mare Sixpenny Sweets (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}). He was purchased by Brian Grassack Bloodstock for €90,000 (AU$145,000) and is a half-brother to Group 3-placed winner of five races Spangler (Ire) (Starspangledbanner).

Respectable figures posted

Goffs issued a rallying cry to Irish breeders to support the sale with some of its best yearlings and, to be fair to the company, it paid off with the figures posted over the two days making for respectable reading.

For the 466 horses offered, 85 per cent were sold (397), which represents a 2 per cent drop on last year. The turnover was down 5 per cent to €51,051,500 (AU$82.28 million) while the average was €128,594 (AU$206,000) (up 5 per cent) and the median rested at €80,000 (AU$129,000) (down 5 per cent).

Goffs CEO Henry Beeby commented, “Bring us your best and we will deliver” is our cry and I think it is fair to say that we have proved that point yet again over the last two days. Orby Book 1 is a world class sale with world class yearlings and attracts a truly global buying bench that is the measure of any yearling sale anywhere. As such it exists to provide the best possible marketplace for Irish breeders, and it give us enormous pleasure each time we deliver for them.

“Top prices of €2 million and €1 million are, of course, true highlights and we are indebted to Denis Brosnan and Kirsten Rausing for entrusting such spectacular yearlings to us and the Godolphin team for the confidence they have shown with their winning bids, not forgetting the ever important underbidders. The top lots were not one offs though, and we have been delighted to see double the number making €750,000 (AU$1,209,000) and over, the same for €500,000 (AU$806,000) plus, and more for €250,000 (AU$403,000) or above compared to last year. Those numbers have driven an average price that has grown by 5 per cent to build on the huge gains we have recorded in recent years.

“'We are nothing without the horses' is another often repeated Goffs phrase but it is as sincere as ever and we send our thanks and appreciation to every single vendor for each lot. We believe that increasing numbers are making Orby Book 1 their first choice for more of their elite yearlings as a result of the hard-earned results of the last few years and it was gratifying to hear so many noted judges agree. Add to that the undeniable USP of the Goffs Two Million Series that has so caught the imagination of buyers, particularly as it continues to evolve with another €500,000 (AU$806,000) of UK bonuses next year to go with the €500,000 (AU$806,000) on offer in Ireland, and you have the setting for a really strong sale.

“As the Irish National Yearling Sale, Orby traditionally caters to home grown yearlings, but it is gratifying to see a few “swim against the tide” with increasing numbers of UK vendors choosing Orby as well. The numbers are not big yet, but we are enthused by those that have made the trip and can only encourage more to come and experience the unique Goffs service especially with those that may be a little bit different. Competition is the driver of all vibrant markets and Goffs will continue to work tirelessly and with absolute integrity for the bloodstock industry.”

He added, “If the number of overseas vendors is small, that could not be said of our purchasers and we have been so pleased to welcome another international group, including several new faces to Kildare Paddocks. The Goffs Buyer Attraction Team, together with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, have done another mighty job and we wish every buyer success with their Orby purchases wherever they race.

“While we reflect on a what one industry leader told me he viewed as a “very solid sale” there is no escaping the tightening of trade at a level, and it was very evident that the market is unforgiving of yearlings that do not have it all. A 85 per cent clearance rate down by three points and a drop in the median equivalent to one bid at the level is a clear indicator of the reality of 2024 which has been the case at each sale thus far this year and we all have work to do to minimise the impact of whatever slow down is here so that we navigate our way through as best we can. Whatever happens, Goffs will continue to work with and for every client, however big or small, with enthusiasm, passion and drive; that's all we know.”

Blue Diamond adds potential gems to the team

As well as breaking new ground with its first yearling draft at Goffs, Blue Diamond Stud added a well-bred Night Of Thunder filly at €640,000 (AU$1 million) and a nice New Bay (GB) colt for €450,000 (AU$723,000) to the team on Thursday through bloodstock agent Hugo Merry.

The Night Of Thunder filly (Lot 458) was sold by the Irish National Stud and is out of Listed performer Sea Mona (USA) (Tiz Wonderful {USA}), a proven producer of American Grade II scorer California Angel (USA) (California Chrome {USA}). Meanwhile, the New Bay colt (Lot 455) was consigned by Ballylinch Stud and is a half-brother to no less than three black-type performers.

Merry said, “The Night Of Thunder is a beautiful filly and the sire is on fire. The mare is well able to produce. Imad (Al Sagar) is a very brave man. I just hope he has bought graded stakes winners. They are lovely yearlings.”