SALE OVERVIEW

A WEEK long run of activity at Goffs ended on a bright note last weekend as the company’s two day November Breeding Stock Sale posted a set of figures that made sweeping gains on those from last year.

Unquestionably the sale was aided by the dispersal of blue-blooded Wildenstein stock, which accounted for €7.8m of overall turnover.

However, aside from the Wildenstein horses, this was a strong edition of this auction and, setting aside the dispersal, there were 26 lots that made at least €100,000 as against 17 that managed that feat a year ago.

A particularly noteworthy aspect of the trade for the two days was the impressive 85% clearance rate. This marked an upswing of eight points on last year and demonstrated a healthy level of demand at all levels of the market.

Central to the overall clearance rate was the activity of Luke Comer, who picked up a staggering 80 mares over the two days and his contribution to the auction was a hugely significant one.

At the conclusion of the two days, the turnover came in at just over €20m, which was more than double last year’s tally. The average of €52,271 dwarfed last year’s figure of €31,294, while the €15,000 median held steady.

The centrepiece of the sale was the former French 1000 Guineas heroine Beauty Parlour who went to American buyer Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm for €1.6m. In all, White Birch spent €5.2m on 10 Wildenstein mares as well as demonstrating an insatiable appetite for blue chip stock during the other segments of this landmark dispersal.

Previously a major industry figure, Brant owned the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Gulch and he was also involved in the brilliant nine-time Group 1 heroine Triptych.