GOFFS has confirmed its intention to extend the Sportsman’s Yearling Sale to a second day this year. It will immediately follow the two-day Orby Sale, making a four-day yearling sale which takes place in the final week of September this year.

Henry Beeby, chief executive of Goffs, had hinted in The Irish Field that such a move may be on the cards in the immediate aftermath of the 2015 Orby and Sportsman’s Sales. That week saw a slight dip in the Orby trade while the Sportsman’s Sale took a step forward.

This week Beeby said: “The Orby offers an exceptional selection of some of the best yearlings in Europe, while the Sportsman’s Sale features top quality commercial yearlings. Feedback from vendors based on the strength of the Sportsman’s market in recent years has led us to extend the sale to two days by offering a Part 2 section. This `yearling sales week’ is an attractive prospect for purchasers from Europe and further afield, and will be promoted as such by the teams at Goffs and ITM.”

NOVEMBER CHANGE

Goffs’ November Foal Sale will begin on Sunday, November 14th this year, one day earlier than its traditional Monday start. The change to the foal dale dates has been made to ease pressure at the end of the week for those clients wishing to take in sales at Newmarket the following week.

A flat foal section is to be added to what was the Goffs December National Hunt Sale on December 9th. This will be a low-cost option for middle market commercial foals, and should alleviate some of the pressure on the November Foal Sale. The entry fee will be less than half that of the November Sale to assist smaller breeders and comes after wide consultation with vendors and the ITBA.

Ease pressure

Derek Iceton, chairman of the ITBA, commented: “This is a very positive move for Irish breeders as it deals with two important issues that arose in 2015.

A cheaper alternative at the optimum time for the smaller breeder can only help especially as it will also ease the pressure in November somewhat as well as giving people a little more breathing space between Goffs and Newmarket at what is a very busy time for everyone.

“Both Cathy Grassick, as chairman of the ITBA Mare Owners Committee, and I have discussed the issues with Goffs since last November. We are grateful that they have taken our members’ concerns on board and reacted so positively.”