It was a tumultuous final session of the foal section of the Goffs November
Sale on Friday, with the average rising more than 20 percent and the median
showing an increase of 48 percent over 12 months ago. Just last year, a strong
final day saw the average soar by 71 percent on the 2004 session equivalent,
resulting in a 44-percent increase in average over the five days, but that
achievement was put in the shade by record trade Friday. Last year’s gross of
17,711,200 was surpassed by nearly 6 million, and a total of 35 foals made
100,000 or more.
Managing Director Matt Mitchell heralded the dramatic surge in the sale’s
fortunes.
“This sale has gone from strength to strength in recent years and we must
acknowledge with gratitude the terrific support of our vendors for what has been
an incredible week,” he said. “There is strength in all sectors of the market,
with the domestic market being particularly strong. This week’s sale has been
helped by the presence of new purchasers, many of whom are based in Ireland.”
At the center of the storm was bloodstock agent Richard O’Gorman, who paid
320,000 for the sale’s top-priced foal, a colt by the Dalham Hall incumbent
Tiger Hill. Consigned by Eimear Mulhern’s Abbeville and Meadowcourt Studs, Hip
998 is a half-brother to His Highness the Aga Khan’s smart juvenile filly Four
Sins (Sinndar), who took a competitive Curragh conditions event in August and
hails from the family of Running Stag. O’Gorman revealed that the foal was
purchased for John Ferguson and Darley.
“He is a half-brother to a very smart two-year-old and the sire did
extraordinarily well from covering ordinary mares early in his career,” O’Gorman
explained.
Later in the day, Anthony Stroud went to 310,000 for Kilfeacle Stud’s Hip
1127, a Fasliyev half-brother to Paul and Susan Roy’s Majors Cast (Ire) (Victory
Note), who was third in last year’s Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-G1) and
runner-up in this season’s Lockinge S. (Eng-G1) before being euthanized due to
an injury on the gallops in June.
Peter Molony also took home one of the toppers as well, going to 260,000 for
Hip 1072, a colt by Invincible Spirit from the draft of Judy Dene’s Kilteelagh
Stud. Out of a listed performer, the foal has 1981 Middle Park S. (Eng-G1)
scorer Cajun on his page.
As with the Million Sale, Galileo (Ire) was in demand again, and his foals
produced incredible returns, filling three of the top six lots. Timmy Hyde’s
Camas Park Stud paid 255,000 for Hip 965, a son of a listed winner from the
family of sires Bellypha (Ire) and Balleroy. He was consigned by Seskin Stud,
acting as agent. Luke Lillingston paid 250,000 for Hip 988, a daughter of the
Coolmore sensation from the Glen Stud, consigned on behalf of Lord Harrington.
She is from the family of 2002 Prix Vermeille (Fr-G1) winner Pearly Shells and
1994 Hollywood Turf Cup (G1) victor Frenchpark (GB). Completing the trio of
Galileos making the headlines was Ballincurrig House Stud’s Hip 1066, a daughter
of a listed-placed mare who is related to High Yield and 1986 champion
two-year-old filly Forest Flower. Offered on behalf of Howard Spooner, she was
knocked down to Bloodhorse International Ltd for 240,000.
Another Coolmore stallion enjoying the limelight was High Chaparral (Ire),
who made his own waves during Friday’s session. The dual Derby and Breeders’ Cup
Turf (G1) hero was responsible for Hip 1063, Athassel House Stud’s half-brother
to 2001 Richmond S. (Eng-G2) third Anna Walhaan (Ire). From the family of 1992
Gimcrack S. (Eng-G2) winner Splendent, the colt was purchased by Paul Shanahan
for 230,000. Hawthorn Villa Stud was the name on the docket at 220,000 for
another one of High Chaparral’s sons, Hip 1056, a
half-brother to Pearly Shells and Frenchpark. Along with Hip 988, he made it a night to savor for Lord
Harrington and the Glen Stud.
Selling of the fillies and mares begins Saturday morning. Full catalog,
results and updates can be viewed on www.goffs.com.