THE demand for flat-bred yearlings will be seriously tested at Goffs next Monday and Tuesday when over 550 commercially-bred yearlings are offered for sale over two marathon days.

Previously known as the ‘Open’ sale, the new-look auction sees a massively increased catalogue in order to cope with demand from vendors. Last year 312 of the 433 yearlings were sold at a median price of €4,700.

For the past two years the leading buyer at the sale – by some distance – has been Zhang Yuesheng but the Chinese businessman cannot attend this year and won’t be represented there.

Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland, who represents Mr Zhang at the sales, said: “Mr Zhang cannot make it to the sale due to his busy schedule. There may be some other buyers from Asia there.”

In a change of policy, Mr Zhang bought yearling at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and at the Goffs Orby Sale this year.

Henry Beeby, Goffs CEO, says that neither he nor the vendors are under any illusions about the likely market conditions.

“We have seen that the commercial end of the market has been the most difficult at all locations this year, and it will probably be challenging again next week.”

NUMBERS

Explaining the increased number of horses catalogued, Beeby said that Goffs had not turned anyone away. “As we’ve always said, Goffs is here to provide a market for the industry. We selected the yearlings for the Orby and Sportsman’s Sale and kept them tight. But we told our clients that we have an outlet for every horse, and the upshot of that is a two-day sale next week.”

He added that both Goffs and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing had done all in their power to bring buyers to next week’s sale. “We believe that the bulk of the buyers will come from outside Ireland and Britain.

“That’s where we have concentrated our efforts as it is clear that domestic demand is weak.

“We expect to see buyers here from Eastern Europe, Italy, Scandinavia and a couple from the Far East.”

One vendor is a strong position is Francis Quinn from Railstown Stud in Fethard whose draft includes the only No Nay Never colt in the catalogue.

“He was purchased at the Goffs February Sale by a client of mine and he is a grand horse. The sire has had a wonderful year and hopefully we will get a few quid in the ring. He’s a bit of a standout.”

Goffs also stages a one-day Horses in Training Sale on Wednesday when over 120 horses will be offered. Beeby said: “We are happy with the quality of the horses but we would like more of them. We’ve proven that when we get the better horses we can sell them well.”