A WEEK that encapsulated the two-tiered nature of the bloodstock market came to a close with Part 2 of the Goffs November Foal Sale and, in truth, trade today probably surpassed expectations.
On Friday the second session of the Breeding Stock Sale made for grim reading where the very muted level of activity starkly illustrated the depressed nature of the lower tiers of the market.
However, fears that today would prove just as trying proved to be wide of the mark.
Admittedly many foals that came under the hammer couldn’t recoup their production costs, but there was at least a reasonably lively atmosphere and a demand for stock as pinhookers made their final purchases before heading to Newmarket next week.
The aggregate for the day topped €1 million, which was a 36% decline on last year, and the average of €6,713 fell by 18 points. The median dropped from €5,800 to €3,700 and the clearance rate fell by five points to 61%.
Interestingly though, the clearance for Saturday was actually better than Monday, which would will take some people by surprise.
Lot 1381, a colt by @DarleyStallions Fast Company sells to @HoStud for €52,000. Consigned by Collegelands pic.twitter.com/L3ygQJn5fz
— Goffs (@Goffs1866) November 24, 2018
The top price of the day was paid by Tally-Ho Stud who signed for a €52,000 son of Fast Company from Collegelands. The grandson of listed-placed two-year-old Bett’s Spirit will return for resale as a yearling.
Earlier, Liam McAteer’s Woodtown House Stud, whose former graduates include the Group 1-winning Margot Did, forked out €33,000 for a Footstepsinthesand colt offered by Ballybin Stud.
This was McAteer’s third purchase of the week after he signed for a son of Shalaa and a Showcasing filly on Wednesday.
“I hadn’t intended buying a foal today but I saw him and he’s just a smashing colt. I love Footstepsinthesand, he’s a very good sire and I try to buy one each year and this colt is a big, strong sort with a lovely profile and well conformed.,” said McAteer. “He’ll hopefully be one for one of the earlier yearling sales next year.”
Lot 1414, a colt from @TaraStud Estidhkaar out of a winning mare sells to @guy_oc for €32,000. Consigned by Glenanore Stud pic.twitter.com/hOtvgwbwc3
— Goffs (@Goffs1866) November 24, 2018
The classy Estidhkaar, whose first crop of foals fetched up to €100,000 earlier in the week, was responsible for a colt from Glenanore Stud who cost Guy O’Callaghan €32,000.
“He’s a good-looking, good-walking colt by a high-class son of Dark Angel and he’s the first produce of a useful mare. We’ll look forward to bringing him back for resale next autumn,” commented O’Callaghan.
Lot 1507, a filly by @BallyhaneStud Dandy Man sells to @YeomanstownStud for €30,000. Consigned by @cafreequine pic.twitter.com/asW8hZNAf4
— Goffs (@Goffs1866) November 24, 2018
As the sale neared its conclusion, Yeomanstown Stud forked out €30,000 for a daughter of Dandy Man offered by CAFRE Enniskillen Campus. She is related to the French stakes winner King Of Arnor.
The same sire also supplied a colt – the last lot into the ring this week – who cost Joe Foley €26,000.
The crack two-year-old Mehmas made an impression with a couple of his first crop of foals. The first of these was a half-brother to Gordon Elliott’s capable juvenile Aristocratic Man who cost Wyanstown Stud €28,000.
Not long afterwards, Tally-Ho Stud, who stand the son of Acclamation, spent €22,000 on a grandson of the Park Express Stakes winner Danehill Music.
Meanwhile, Ginnotti Perluigi went to €27,000 for a War Command half-sister to an Italian listed winner, and Edmond Ryan spent €24,000 on Dragon Pulse colt out of an unraced Sea The Stars mare.
Part 2
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2017 362 292 195 1,604,250 8,227 5,800
2018 319 252 154 1,033,800 6,713 3,700
November Foal Sale Totals
YEAR CAT OFF SOLD AGG AV Med
2017 1119 952 730 27,137,000 37,174 20,000
2018 1094 917 635 21,354,800 33,630 20,000