JUST two of the five lots at the Goffs Champions Sale changed hands, and they bookended the proceedings. Both horses were offered for sale by Innishannon trainer John Murphy.

Michael Halford was accompanied by owner Paul Rooney as his bid of €200,000 was good enough to acquire the first lot into the ring at Leopardstown, the four-year-old Declaration Of War gelding War Diary. This dual winner, including a premier handicap winner at the Curragh, has few miles on the clock and his new owner and trainer are hoping he might, in time, be good enough to send to the Dubai Racing Carnival.

If hopes of racing in a warmer climate are still aspirational for War Diary, his now former stablemate Think Big is certain to see better weather, heading as he does to continue his racing career in Qatar. He cost Will Douglass from Charlie Gordon-Watson Bloodstock €100,000 and the juvenile son of Night Of Thunder is a winner and last time out was a fast-finishing fourth at York.

The group-placed juvenile winner this year Zarzyni at €260,000, Group 3 winner Waitingfortheday at €370,000, and the Group 3 winning sprinter Gustavus Weston at €420,000, were all unsold.

At the conclusion of the sale Goffs group chief executive Henry Beeby was far from despondent, saying:

“The Champions Sale is set up to give a unique opportunity to owners of quality flat horses, to showcase their horses in front of an international audience.

"We judge our flat boutique sales by different standards in that vendors are delighted if they sell for a good price, but equally are not overly disappointed if they do not sell.

“That was very much the case today; the two that sold did very well, and the three that did not will race on for their existing connections and we wish them all well. The Goffs Champions Sale provides the company with another showcase on the international stage and has a bright future.”