Twelve months ago, the two-day auction produced a top lot of €100,000 but this was dramatically eclipsed by Jim Bolger's Night Visit who made a major contribution to an aggregate of over €4.2 million - an improvement of some 46%. As expected the average also showed marked progress at €16,477, a jump of 69%. In addition the median of €7,000 finished 27% ahead of the corresponding figure in 2013.
Aside from Night Visit, the first day of the sale witnessed improved demand for the yearlings on offer as the market made good gains in all areas. Last year this sector produced a top lot of €60,000 but that rose to €90,000 on a day when the figures finished well ahead of those from 12 months ago.
The sale of Night Visit was the unquestionable highlight of the two days although the mares section did produce another six-figure transaction in the €160,000 sale of What Style. Trade for mares was somewhat selective and the clearance rate in this section wasn't at all as good as 2013 but again there was an improvement towards the head of the market in this category.
In all, this sale represented a highly satisfactory start to the year at Kildare Paddocks and afterwards Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby hailed the February Sale as a clear market leader in its category.
WEDNESDAY
A €90,000 son of Big Bad Bob took centre stage in this session which was devoted exclusively to yearlings.
The well-bred colt was bought by Trickledown Stud's Paul Thorman for €90,000 and will be reoffered at either the Orby Sale or Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. From Dooneen Stud, the colt is an own-brother to the Group 3 scorer Bible Belt and the Martin Molony Stakes winner Bob Le Beau.
The second highest price of the day was a colt from the first crop of Lilbourne Lad who cost Jim Smith €54,000. The Galbertstown Stud offering comes from the immediate family of the Jersey Stakes heroine and dual Group 1-placed filly Rainfall.
This price was closely matched by Franny Woods when he forked out €52,000 for a son of Arcano whose first runners will make it the track later this year. The half-brother to the Beresford Stakes runner-up Orgilgo Bay was bought for resale.
Lope De Vega is another sire whose first crop of runners will be in action this year and the Shamardal horse supplied a relation to Belmez who cost Epona Bloodstock €48,000.
The sale contained just one Dark Angel yearling and Ritchie Fiddes saw off all challengers to secure the Gerry Mullins-owned colt for €42,000.
One of the most attractive fillies on offer was a daughter of Approve who cost Bobby O'Ryan €40,000. She is a half-sister to last season's Tyros Stakes victor Exogenesis and O'Ryan reported that his purchase could be kept to race.
Once again representatives from the first crop of the Phoenix Stakes hero Zoffany were in demand and Tally-Ho Stud forked out €39,000 to secure a daughter of the Dansili horse whose siblings include the talented Gabrial. Another Tally-Ho purchase was a €33,000 Kodiac half-sister to the listed scorer Duchess Of Foxland.
A colt from the first crop of the crack miler Canford Cliffs will be offered for resale in the autumn after he came to Margaret O'Toole, acting on behalf of a client, for €38,000. He is from the family of Invincible Spirit.
Following an excellent 2013 on the track, it was no surprise to see the progeny of Iffraaj selling well and he supplied fillies that made €35,000 and €36,000.
THURSDAY
All eyes were on Night Visit who promised to be the main event at this sale from the moment the catalogue was released last month. As she looked to continue Jim Bolger's highly successful association with this sale ring, Night Visit came under the hammer in foal to Intense Focus.
From just her third runner, the Sinndar 10-year-old had produced the Irish Derby winner Trading Leather and few were surprised when Henry Beeby asked for an opening bid of €1 million.
He had to go the lower end of the six-figure mark to get the process underway but just a few minutes later, the hammer came down in Hubie De Burgh's favour at €975,000.
The agent reported that he was acting for an international client and that his purchase could head overseas.
Several minutes later, the six-figure barrier was breached once more when Cathy Grassick spent €160,000 on the talented What Style who filled the runner-up spot in a Group 3 at Leopardstown last season. The next highest price came when Will Douglass, acting for a client of Charlie Gordon-Watson's, spent €70,000 on the Rahy mare Secret Question. She was sold in foal to Lawman and two of her first three runners have been placed at stakes level.
Several of the higher priced mares were making a quick return to the sales ring and these included the French listed winner Sushi Tuna who was sold for €48,000 at Arqana in December. On this occasion, the daughter of Halling was knocked down to B & C Bloodstock for €68,000.
Several minutes later, it was the turn of Indigo River who sold for €62,000 having been bought for $67,000 at Keeneland in November.
The former Roscommon maiden winner won at stakes level and reached the frame in a Grade 2 during her Stateside career and she was sold with an attractive First Defence covering. She was bought by Oliver St Lawrence, who was acting for Newsells Park Stud and she will visit the farm's Mount Nelson.
Koonunja, a capable dual winner in France, is set to continue her racing career after she cost Peter Kelly €56,000. She was bought to go to Saudi Arabia.
Overseas interests also struck for the Group 3-placed Oh Mambo Girl who was sold in foal to Iffraaj for €38,000.
The Grade 2-placed jumper Leblon was picked up by Swanbridge Bloodstock for €36,000 and this price was matched by the BBA Ireland for the winning Lunathea. The last-named is carrying to Canford Cliffs and she comes from an excellent and current French family.