Goffs’ marathon November Sale rolled on Wednesday, when a colt by Rock of
Gibraltar (Ire) made a late impact during the fourth foal session when selling
for 240,000. Hip No. 1040, consigned by Heidi Shanahan’s Blakestown Stud on
behalf of Pat Grogan, is a half-brother to the 2004 Molecomb S. (Eng-G3) winner
Tournedos (Rossini). It was Ashtown House Stud’s Paul Shanahan who had the final
say, outbidding Dermot Weld.
Earlier in the day, a Johannesburg colt offered by Silfield Bloodstock as Hip
920 went to Brendan Holland of Grove Stud for 130,000. Foaled in April, the colt
hails from the extended family of A. P. Valentine.
“He’s a lovely colt by a top American sire and you don’t get too many chances
to buy one of them over here,” Holland said.
Just four lots earlier, Airlie Stud had acquired the top priced filly on the
day, a daughter of Barathea (Ire), for 120,000. From the draft of Ashleigh House
Stud, she is from the family of 2000 Epsom Oaks (Eng-G1) heroine Love Divine and
her St Leger (Eng-G1)-winning son Sixties Icon (Galileo [Ire]), as well as the
1989 Champion S. hero Legal Case.
Ballylinch stallion Whipper, who has his first foals for sale this year, was
responsible for another highlight when his daughter consigned by Springwell Stud
on behalf of Niall O’Mahony brought the co-second highest price of 120,000 at
Wednesday’s fourth session. Tally-Ho Stud secured Hip 835, who is a half to the
useful stakes place-getter Campbeltown (Mull of Kintyre) from an Aga Khan family
which includes 1994 Irish St Leger (Ire-G1) runner-up Rayseka.
“We sold Campbeltown as a yearling at Doncaster a couple of years ago,” the
Stud’s Roger O’Callaghan commented. “She’s a lovely filly–a bit of a standout.”
Invincible Spirit continues to build a substantial reputation, and his
February-foaled son from Kilabbey Stud consigned as Hip 873 sold for 115,000.
Out of a sister to the 1996 Prix la Rochette (Fr-G3) scorer Fine Fellow (Ire)
whose pedigree features the 1993 National S. (Ire-G1) winner Manntari, he was
purchased by Epona Bloodstock.
“We were looking to buy an Invincible Spirit colt and this horse fitted the
bill — we were glad to get him,” Epona’s Paul McCartan explained. “His dam is
an own sister to a very smart horse in France and he will be reoffered next
year.”
Selling of the concluding foal session gets underway Thursday. Full results
can be found on www.goffs.com.