Goffs Premier comes to a close

Cover image courtesy of Goffs UK

The Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale came to a close on Wednesday with numbers notably down across the board.

The final day of selling in Doncaster saw a Havana Gold (Ire) colt top proceedings, selling to Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock for £115,000 (AU$209,222).

Consigned by Mountarmstrong, the colt is out of Majestic Alexander (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}), making him a half-brother to stakes placegetters Mighty Spirit (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and Angel Alexander (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

“We’re all looking for a Royal Ascot 2-year-old, of course we are,” St Lawrence said. “And he does look a really strong, sharp type. Actually we hadn’t originally intended to buy him: he was on the radar, and I showed him to Fawzi [Nass] yesterday, but we hadn’t had him vetted.

“But then the trainer said how much he liked him, and we re-evaluated today. Of course it helps that he comes from breeders who do such a good job.”

The second top lot of the day was a filly by former Haunui Farm shuttler Showcasing (GB), who sold to Middleham Park Racing for £110,000 (AU$200,126).

The filly, who was consigned by WH Bloodstock, is the fourth foal out of placed mare Sweet Alabama (GB) (Johannesburg {USA}) and was purchased as a foal by Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock.

“She was our nap of the Sale, really,” said Middleham Park’s Mike Prince. “She just looks a lovely racing filly. Showcasing’s had a great year, and the mare has already produced (a dual winner) by Raven’s Pass. She’ll be going to Mark Johnston, so let’s hope she can follow in the footsteps of Marie’s Diamond.”

Also selling well in the final session of the Premier Sale was a colt by Coolmore shuttler Caravaggio (USA), who was purchased by Hillen/Ryan for £85,000 (AU$154,642) from the draft of Coulonces Sales.

Out of winning-mare Pretty Darling (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}), the colt is from the family of G3 Anglesey S., winner Peace Envoy (Ire) (Power {GB}).

Overall it was a tough two days of trade for vendors with a 38 per cent slump in aggregate, to £11,503,500 (AU$20,928,614) from £18,468,000 (AU$33,599,307); a 27 per cent loss in the £34,034 (AU$61,919) average from £46,519 (AU$84,633); and a 23 per cent dip in a £27,000 (AU$49,122) median from £35,000 (AU$63,676).

The Starspangledbanner colt that made £170,000 (AU$309,285) on Day 1 of the Sale remained the top lot and was one of 12 six figure lots sold, compared to 35 that sold for six figures in 2019.

Gallery: The top lot of the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale

As Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent observed, this had been one of the most anticipated editions of this Sale in recent years.

“But not in the way that we normally prepare for a sale,” he said. “And we share everyone’s collective relief that we have been able to conduct the Sale, and provide an opening to Europe’s yearling sales circuit during these difficult times.

“There is no doubting that trade across that last few days has not been straightforward, but the important thing is that horses are getting sold and the collective view from vendors and purchasers has been that this was a ‘good’ sale, even though ‘good’ may currently be difficult to quantify. We obviously missed some key faces who were active last year but there were a significant number of success stories over the last two days, including some spectacular pinhooks, and we must remember these moments as we reflect on what has been achieved.

“Despite the two days proving predictably difficult, we echo what has been said many times this week, that we are lucky to hold sales and continue to trade despite the challenges that face us and our industry. It has been encouraging to see so many people descend on Doncaster and to see a respectable clearance rate upheld over the two days.

“Full credit to our vendors who have adapted to the market to facilitate trade and we now look forward to the Goffs Sportsman’s and Orby Sale which will take place here at the end of this month.”