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Turnover, average and median rise as November Foal and Breeding Stock sales draw to a close
The Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale finished on Saturday with all the major indicators showing gains on the 2021 figures with the turnover, average and median also rising for the week compared to last year's renewals of the November Foal Sale and the November Breeding Stock Sale.
During Saturday's second session of the November Breeding Stock Sale, Hightown Heights (Teofilo) was the most expensive lot sold when bought for €75,000 by Brian Jones. Sold by Ballintry Stud, the four-year-old has won twice this year and is a sister to the stakes placed filly Thanks Monica, being out of the placed Acclamation (Royal Applause) mare Wedding Wish.
When the two day Breeding Stock Sale finished on Saturday, 279 lots had sold, compared to 371 a year ago, however, despite selling 20 per cent fewer horses this year, the aggregate rose two per cent to finish at €16,501,400. The average rose 27 per cent from €43,718 a year ago to €55,560, while the median showed the biggest gain, up 41 per cent from €17,000 last year to €24,000.
BBA Ireland and the Lucky Vega Syndicate was the leading buyer spending €5,215,000 on 18 lots at an average of €289,722. Baroda Stud was the leading vendor by aggregate, selling 43 horses for €3,047,900 at an average of €70,881. By average, Grenane House Stud was the leading vendor selling six lots at an average of €215,917.
Over the week, 1034 lots sold for €42,062,400, up 10 per cent from a year ago when 1,106 lots sold for €41,827,300. The average rose 20 per cent to €45,548 while the median also rose 20 per cent from €20,000 last year to €24,000.
Reflecting on a memorable week at the November Sale, Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said: "Amazing; phenomenal; electric; and more.
"It's hard to find the appropriate words to describe trade this week but it can really only be defined in the richest of superlatives.
"The four-day Foal Sale set the tone especially throughout the marquee Wednesday session when the cream of the Irish foal crop provoked a session of truly frenzied bidding that was the highlight of a sale of depth, consistency and hunger for the best. That followed a superb renewal of the Orby Sale with some spectacular pinhooking touches and we look forward to seeing many of those foals back here next September.
"However strong the foal trade was though, nothing could have prepared us for the level of bidding at yesterday's premier Breeding Stock Session. Not since the heady days of the historic Paulyn Dispersal have we sold as many mares for €500,000 and over and we witnessed a remarkable day of selling with quality mare after quality mare provoking several truly seismic bidding duels from an international cast of breeders. Whilst every bidder is important, we must single out our great supporter Mr Zhang of Yulong who was the leading buyer by some margin. His haul of the best dominated the leader board as he and his advisor Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland saw off the competition time after time with the majority bought to support his stallion Lucky Vega, himself a Goffs graduate. We are lucky to have his support, and by "we" I refer to the Irish bloodstock industry, not just Goffs.
"I confess that we thought it would be hard to better 2021's superb results but this year's extraordinary statistics are testament to so many major Irish breeding entities who offered drafts of note that provoked a sale of incredible tempo, enthusiasm and hunger that was just breath-taking as a huge cast of international buyers, both in person and online, battled for mare after mare to highlight the enduring attraction of the best Irish bloodlines. This year's alumni will continue to promote the sale for many years as their progeny follow in the footsteps of the likes of Alcohol Free, Blackbeard, Little Big Bear, Saffron Beach and so many more as breeders from home and abroad tap into the class and quality that was offered. Whilst today was at a lower level there remained competition for those that appealed the most as several overseas entities battled to the end.
"Goffs November has long held a significant place in the calendar and the last week has only underlined its importance to Irish breeders, who sell with us safe in the knowledge that they will always get that little bit more, as well as international buyers who are attracted to Ireland by the quality on offer, together with the unique welcome they receive from the Goffs team and our colleagues at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing who play such a key role in our buyer attraction every year.
"Finally as we close the sale I extend a special Goffs thank you to every buyer and each vendor for we are nothing without their support. Bringing both groups together and ensuring they receive equal focus is our perpetual goal.
"Happy vendors and happy purchasers make Goffs happy!"
