THE largest catalogue assembled for the Goffs Horses In Training Sale for quite some time was rewarded with the sale’s best set of results in a number of years on Wednesday evening.

In recent times this sale has been a relatively small and somewhat low key affair. However buoyed by a strong draft from the Aga Khan and the very notable input of the BBA Ireland’s Michael Donohoe and his Chinese client Zhang Yuesheng, the auction eclipsed recent editions in several key areas.

At its conclusion the sale posted an aggregate of just over €1.7 million, which represented a triple digit increase on the near €700,000 taken in 12 months ago. The average of €16,548 witnessed a progression of 19 points although the median did drop from €9,000 to €6,500. Mirroring the trends witnessed in the horses in training market over the last couple of weeks there was good demand for all types of form horses, which was reflected in the 90% clearance rate with 103 of the 115 horses offered changing hands.

On countless occasions in the past the Aga Khan draft has been the centrepiece of this sale and that was again the case this time with the leading owner/breeder supplying both of the six figure lots.

At €200,000, centre stage went to the impressive Listowel maiden winner Aydoun, who looked a fine prospect when bolting up over a mile and a half on his debut last month.

Dermot Weld’s charge wasn’t at his best when sent to Ascot for his only other outing but this did nothing to detract from his appeal and Bill Dwan signed for the Mastercraftsman colt after seeing off the attentions of Russell McNabb.

Dwan reported that he was acting for a client who is likely to keep Aydoun in training in Ireland. The colt will be geared at staying races in 2017.

Just a few minutes later the Weld-trained and Aga Khan-owned Ebediyin fetched €150,000 after Michael Donohoe outlasted Felim MacEoin. The talented son of Raven’s Pass had been deployed in a pacemaking role for Harzand on his last two starts but won a decent conditions race at Naas earlier in the season and was beaten by less than three lengths into fifth in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot.

Donohoe, who was seated with Zhang Yuesheng, reported that the three-year-old had been purchased to go to Australia where his client already has a number of horses in training. It is hoped that Ebediyin will develop into a Cup horse when he begins his Australian career.

Over the course of the day the BBA Ireland signed for 17 horses at a cumulative total of €523,000. Earlier Donohoe and Felim MacEoin went toe-to-toe for Johnny Murtagh’s useful juvenile Grand Coalition and the latter emerged victorious when bringing the price to €75,000.

The Galway-based vet formerly worked in Hong Kong and reported that he bought the Kodiac colt for a client who will race their purchase in the Far East. Grand Coalition won a Curragh maiden during the summer and was also placed at listed level in the U.K.

Former graduates of this sale include the Aga Khan-bred Ebaziyan, who went on to win the Supreme Novices Hurdle for Willie Mullins. The champion trainer, acting through Harold Kirk, secured another of the owner’s offerings when going to €65,000 for the lightly-raced Sayar.

This Michael Halford-trained filly improved from his debut to finish a creditable fourth in a 10-furlong maiden at Navan last month.

Fresh from posting much the best effort of his brief career to date at Leopardstown the previous weekend, the Andy Oliver-trained One In All In fetched €50,000. Agent Kevin Ross signed for the son of Lawman whose third to Vastonea the previous Saturday offered plenty of future promise.

Among the other Aga Khan lots to take the eye was Tarazani, who followed a fine seasonal debut behind Harzand with a victory in a Galway handicap that was the subject of an appeal from the connections of the runner-up, Ondamoura. Henry de Bromhead picked up the son of Dutch Art for €42,000.

The highest-rated runner in the sale was the Weld-trained Embiran who finished third to Awtaad in the Tetrarch Stakes on his penultimate outing. Denis Hogan secured the 102-rated son of Shamardal with a bid of €35,000.

Elsewhere, the capable Ger Lyons-trained maiden Ex Patriot will join trainer Ellmarie Holden, who has made a notable impression since sending out her first runners in June.

The son of Elusive Pimpernel cost €38,000 and the same sire was responsible for another reasonable maiden in Easy Pass. This 74-rated three-year-old will be heading back to Jessica Harrington after the trainer went to €36,000 to keep him in the yard.

Also coming in at €36,000 was Mrs Harrington’s useful dual-purpose runner Barnacle Bill, who went to Hyphen Bloodstock.