AS expected, trade was of a much improved variety on day two of the Goffs November Foal Sale which concluded with a set of figures that couldn’t match the levels of 2017 but represented a substantial step in the right direction from Monday’s muted beginning.

As the quality of foals improved today so too did the clearance rate as 169 of the 230 lots offered were sold for a turnover of just under €5.5 million which was a 16% decrease on last year.

The median dropped from €27,000 to €26,000 and the average of €32,290 was down by nine points.

The clearance rate for the day came in 7% below the corresponding figure from 12 months ago, but the competition for the better lots throughout the day was good and today’s session points to what should be a good day on Wednesday as the foal sale reaches its crescendo with an array of quality lots.

The star turn of the second day was a son of the in-demand Showcasing whose results throughout 2018 continue to mark him out as a coming sire.

On this occasion the Oasis Dream horse was represented by a colt from Grenane House Stud who cost Grove Stud’s Brendan Holland €160,000.

Just 11 months after his dam was purchased for €200,000, this colt provided his connections with a substantial return on that outlay.

In addition, Holland’s purchase hails from the family of the Group 1-winning Johannes Vermeer and the Group 2 heroine Elizabeth Browning, one that repeatedly lit up last year’s edition of the November Sale.

“He’s a good colt by a sire on the up. Everyone wants a Showcasing and it’s great to have a young sire like him who is on the up and has his best crop yet to run for him next year,” said Holland.

Earlier, the pace was set by Morna McDowall when she signed for a €115,000 son of Zoffany from Churchtown House Stud who was bred by Sir Robert Ogden.

This colt is out of a Galileo own-sister to the Group 1-placed Robin Hood and his immediate relations also include the high-class Aljamaaheer.

“He’s just a very nice colt by a good, proven sire with plenty of upside as he has a very nice crop of horses to run for him next year,” reflected the purchaser, whose other spending took in a €70,000 son of Holy Roman Emperor.

“The fact he is out of a Galileo mare is another plus and he’s from a good, strong family. He will be back for sale next autumn.”

The first of the day’s six figure transactions came when Paul McCartan splashed out €100,000 for a colt hailing from the first crop of the Tara Stud resident and dual Group 2-winning Estidhkaar. The grandson of Dark Angel is a half-brother to the Group 3-placed What Style.

“He’s a gorgeous colt and the sire line has been very lucky for us in the past. I’d also love the fact that he is out of an Anabaa mare who has already produced a stakes performer and it’s a good, deep family. We’ll look forward to bringing him back for sale next autumn,” commented McCartan.

The insatiable demand for the progeny of No Nay Never continued unabated with Camas Park Stud, who part bred and sold the sire’s Group 1-winning son Ten Sovereigns, giving €100,000 for a son of the Scat Daddy horse.

No Nay Never was also responsible for a €90,000 colt who was snapped up by American buyer Kim Valerio.

“I bought Scat Daddy as a yearling and came here specifically to buy a No Nay Never – it’s unbelievable what he has done with his first crop. We will bring this colt back to America and then make a decision as to what to do with him,” stated Ms. Valerio.

It was a good day for members of the first crop of the Irish 2000 Guineas winner and Derrinstown Stud stallion Awtaad.

The Cape Cross horse supplied a colt from the Irish National Stud who cost Eddie O’Leary €95,000, shortly after Jamie Railton spent €85,000 on a son of Kevin Prendergast’s classic star.

As the session drew to a close, a daughter of Camelot from Baroda & Colbinstown Studs was knocked down to Sunday Racing for €120,000.

This filly is out of a half-sister to a South American Grade 3 winner and the Silken Glider Stakes scorer Gemstone.

Day 2 Full results

YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med

2018 264 230 169 5,457,000 32,290 26,000

2017 259 228 182 6,452,200 35,452 27,000

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