THE week at Goffs came to a close yesterday with the second and concluding session of the Sportsman’s Sale which concluded with a set of results that finished down on those from 2018.

However, in light of an enlarged catalogue which stretched out to two days the Sportsman’s returned a respectable level of trade and while the increase in numbers pushed down the clearance rate, the market for this sale coped reasonably well with an increase in numbers.

At the close of proceedings the sale posted an aggregate of just short of €4.9 million and, as expected, a greater volume of horses allowed the turnover to progress by 12% on last year. The average of €17,155 was down by 10%, the median dropped from €15,000 to €13,000 and the clearance rate fell by six points to 79%.

Highlight

The sale’s highest price in 12 years was an obvious highlight and the number of lots to make at least €50,000 dropped by just one to 12 and a busy international contingent also made a very healthy contribution to the sale.

Nonetheless, even though the clearance rate held up quite well in the face of increased supply, there was clear evidence too that the market remains ill equipped and nor will it tolerate any further increase in foal crop numbers over the coming years.

In addition, a look at the results from the previous five years of this sale offers clear evidence that this is a sector of the market that is under pressure.

As he reflected on the two-day Sportsman’s Sale Goffs, chief executive Henry Beeby commented: “Doubtless opinion will be split as to whether we made the right decision but we feel the results ultimately vindicate the move with a vibrant trade on both days especially given prevailing market conditions and the background of a volatile world economy.

“We have welcomed a wide variety of buyers from home, the UK, across Europe and further afield following a concerted effort from our network of international agents and the team at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing.

“Their presence meant that there was keen competition for those that appealed with a high of €135,000 today although the trends witnessed at every other yearling sale in 2019 were evident. That said a 79% clearance rate is perfectly acceptable and points to a trade of some depth.”

In conclusion, Beeby was able to reflect with satisfaction on a pivotal week for Goffs while noting that certain trends in the market place cannot be ignored as the industry looks to the future.

“So as the week closes we can reflect on a market that soared at the top of Orby, headed by the second highest yearling filly price in Irish auction history amongst four millionaires, but tightened in the lower echelons notwithstanding a top Sportsman’s price that was the second highest on record.

“These results clearly demonstrate the enduring demand for the best and that Goffs is absolutely the measure of any sale in the world at the top while perhaps highlighting some issues that may give pause for thought,” he added.

Exceedingly good colt

A €135,000 son of Exceed And Excel became the highest priced lot to come under the hammer at this sale for a dozen years when selling to Joe Foley yesterday afternoon.

The colt, who was consigned by Derrinstown Stud on behalf of Hadi Al Tajir, comes from a family littered with stakes performers and the pedigree goes back to the famed producer Height Of Fashion and her top-class sons Nayef and Nashwan. This colt will carry the Clipper Logistics colours next year.

Camelot filly stands out

A CAMELOT filly emerged as the standout lot of the opening day after falling to Matt Coleman for €100,000.

She enjoyed a very timely update to her pedigree when her juvenile half-sister Orlaith won a Newbury stakes races in August and she comes from the immediate family of the top-class juveniles Toormore and Estidhkaar.

Coleman outlasted Willie McCreery for the filly who will go into training with John Joseph Murphy.

THE first day of the sale played host to a pair of €70,000 lots and one of those was a daughter of No Nay Never from The Castlebridge Consignment hailing from the family of the top two-year-olds Royal Applause, Lyric Fantasy and In Command.

This filly was knocked down to Roger Marley’s Church Farm Stables and will be heading to next year’s round of breeze-up sales. Also coming in at €70,000 was a son of Fastnet Rock out of an own-sister to Lush Lashes and he was purchased by Gerry Hogan.