A STEADY and level day’s trade during the second and final session of the auction helped the Goffs February Sale to conclude this evening with a solid set of returns that gained ground in several areas to ensured that 2019 at Kildare Paddocks started on a positive note.
A much smaller catalogue for this year’s February Sale was always going to help the returns in several key areas and the average for the two days came in at €15,061, which was a five-point improvement on last year, while the median progressed from €6,500 to €8,000.
The clearance rate increased by two points to 68%, while 118 fewer horses came under the hammer over the two days which was reflected in an aggregate that fell by 17% to just under €4 million.
Last year’s top price of €280,000 was never under threat during the course of today’s session, but a day which offered two-year-olds, horses in training and breeding prospects served up quite a healthy and diverse trade underpinned by a clearance rate of 75%.
LAWMAN FILLY
The top lot on day two was a two-year-old daughter of Lawman who was offered by Baroda & Colbinstown Studs having previously cost 100,000gns as a foal.
This filly was the subject of a lengthy duel between Michael O’Callaghan and Blandford Bloodstock’s Tom Biggs and the Curragh trainer, acting on behalf of Moran Stud Farm, emerged victorious when he brought the price to €110,000.
The session-topper comes from a superb Ballymacoll Stud dynasty and she is out of a Sadler’s Wells own-sister to the brilliant Islington and the Group 1-winning Greek Dance.
“She’s been bought for an established client to race. She’s a lovely filly and comes from a fantastic family,” reported O’Callaghan.
Moran Stud Farm struck again later in the day, this time when going to €95,000 for Myopic. This winning daughter of Teofilo was sold with a prized Kodiac covering and she is a half-sister to the listed winner Twitch.
RACING AND BREEDING APPEAL
Vrai, a well-related three-year-old daughter of Dark Angel, who cost €75,000, was a filly with both racing and breeding appeal. Agent Mick Flanagan signed for the half-sister to the Railway Stakes winner Lilbourne Lad, Gallinule Stakes second Bobbyscot and a Gleneagles two-year-old who fetched 300,000gns as a yearling.
“She’s a nice filly by a top class stallion and it’s a lovely pedigree too,” reflected Flanagan. “She’s been bought with a view to visiting New Bay this year but she has been placed a couple of times lately so it’s possible that she could go back into training. A decision on whether she will go back racing will be made later on.”
Elsewhere, the Goffs Scandinavia agent Filip Zwicky forked out €80,000 for the First Defence mare First Spirit who came under the hammer in foal to Zoffany.
This unraced mare is a half-sister to the dam of the French Group 1 winner Announce and the classic-placed Mexican Gold.
A two-horse draft from Jim Bolger included the former Irish Derby third and Group 3 scorer Stellar Mass and the six-year-old was snapped up by Eamonn Reilly for €75,000.
Uzbekistan-based buyer Avaz Ismoilov, who once again made his presence felt after buying seven yearlings on Tuesday, had to settle for the role of underbidder.
Day 2 (no comparative)
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2019 215 170 127 1,942,200 15,293 9,000
Entire Sale
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2019 483 386 264 3,976,150 15,061 8,000
2018 627 508 333 4,800,000 14,414 6,500
2017 757 619 395 5,145,100 13,026 5,500