FRESH from conducting his first bloodstock auction, Michael Ryan was delighted as to how the Goffs Online Autumn Yearling Sale had gone.

“It was an interesting sale because it wasn’t the usual kind and with no horses there it was a series of firsts for me. The technical side of the online auction worked brilliantly. It was terrific to see bids coming in from clients based in Canada, USA, Scandinavia, France, Italy and nearer to home also.

“The videos of the horses are a great addition, so much so that when we get back to normal I imagine they will remain a key part of the selling process. An agent can easily send it to a client sitting in their office. The online bidding innovation can only help trade.”

From Cashel, Michael worked as a spotter for Goffs throughout his college years at Limerick Institute of Technology where he studied Property Valuation and Management.

“I have always had an interest in horses and keep one or two mares myself,” Michael continued. “I worked for Tommy Stack, Michael Downey and the late Gerry Dilger of Dromoland Farm in Kentucky. Having graduated from the Irish National Stud Course, I went to Australia for two years, spending time at Canning Downs Stud, Queensland, Newgate Farm and at Chatswood Stud in Victoria where Invincible Spirit used to shuttle to in the early part of his career.

“Back home I spent some time in Ballylinch Stud, Co Kilkenny as part of their sales and nominations team.”

Was he given any tips by colleagues before his first auction?

“I was familiar with the rostrum from bid spotting so in that regard I was used to how things worked up there. I have watched for many years how Nick and Henry operate and have had the great pleasure of working with many other auctioneers, such as Andrew Nolan, Hugh Bleahen and the now retired Robert Hall. Hopefully, I have picked up some of their style and techniques. I also do a bit of work for Robert de Vere Hunt in Cashel Mart.”

Plenty must have rubbed off as Michael won the Novice Rostrum Auctioneer Competition 2020 held in January under the auspices of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers. “That gave me a boost and an impetus to get back into live selling.”

How does he see the bloodstock business going with so many different challenges?

“I believe despite everything the market is resilient, our Autumn Yearling Sale went well all things considered. Despite the challenges we have faced over the past few months there are always new owners emerging and as long as we are able to trade the market will continue to function.”

O’Neill trying to get back on his feet again

GET well soon wishes go to Charles O’Neill, chief executive of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. Charles is recuperating at home this weekend after an operation on his back, his second in four months. “I did everything by the book after my first operation but it went on me again and I am just fed up with it now,” he told us. “I should be in Bahrain this week but I will be lying on the ground for the next two weeks.”

Charlie was cheered up by the innovation being shown by the sales companies and vendors this year. “If you told somebody last year you would have a yearling sale online and sell over 140 horses, you would have been locked up!”