Ireland has long been the centre of international racing and bloodstock sales. However, for a long time, one piece of the puzzle was missing—a world-class breeze-up sale. This has changed with the introduction of the new Goffs Breeze-Up Sale at Naas.

It's a landmark event that rivals similar ones in Europe and the US. In this article, we'll cover the event, its significance, and the industry's reaction to the sale. The bloodstock sales are evolving and becoming increasingly technical and scientific, and the sale at Naas is part of that trend.

What's a Breeze-Up Sale?

Breeze-up sales are special sales in which two-year-old horses perform a gallop called a breeze, over a short distance before being auctioned. The event provides potential buyers with the opportunity to inspect and assess the horse's athleticism and temperament.

Sales such as these have gained prominence in the US and Europe in recent years, as they often produce top-level runners. The horse racing industry, in general, is seeking to modernise and leverage technology to attract top talent and new fans. For instance, anonymous crypto gambling establishments are allowing their users to bet on both the races and the sales. These casinos offer players a secure and convenient way to transfer funds from anywhere in the world and place wagers tied to smart contracts.

Backed by the Leaders of Industry

The idea of introducing breeze-up sales to Ireland has long been discussed, but it came together through the partnership of Goffs, Naas Racecourse, and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM). These organisations fund the events and have also worked to provide the necessary infrastructure and marketing to ensure their success.

Goffs' longstanding sponsorship of Naas's Group 3 Lacken Stakes made it a perfect fit for the event, combined with the expertise of other partners.

Format and Timing

The ever Breeze Up sale took place in June of 2025. This was a very carefully and deliberately chosen date. It happens after the traditional breeze-up season and before the summer racing calendar, which is the central part of the year for racers.

Since the event occurs during the Irish Derby Festival week, both attendance and interest are at their peak. The format is based on the American sales, as there's a gap between the breeze and the sale, allowing buyers to reflect and choose carefully.

Innovation and Transparency

One of the defining features of the Naas Breeze-Up Sale was its emphasis on transparency, which in turn enabled buyers to make their purchases with confidence. Enhanced digital tools enable potential buyers to access high-quality breeze footage, slow-motion replays, stride length data, and detailed veterinary reports.

Combining these modern and high-tech tools with the tried-and-true good horsemanship practices allows buyers to truly assess and understand the horses before purchasing them. The technology is therefore used only to enhance and make transparent what the horses are able to do on their own.

First Edition

The inaugural catalogue featured 62 juveniles, including progeny by elite sires such as Sea The Stars, No Nay Never, Starspangledbanner, and Sioux Nation. A total of 58 horses breezed on June 23. Experts said that this approach values quality over quantity.

If there was one standout, it was a Starspangledbanner colt. It drew the attention of buyers with its stride, an impressive time, and especially so after the footage from the breeze was made available and carefully studied. It was sold to Meridian Bloodstock on the phone via Goffs' Joey Cullen, fetching €330,000.

Reception and Industry Reaction

The event was met with praise across the industry and the general public. It successfully achieved its objectives, and buyers from around the world attended the sale. The gap between the breeze and the sale also worked perfectly for both the horses and the buyers.

Vendors were especially pleased with this five-day period, as it made every sale more confident and researched. The Brickley family of Glending Stables was especially pleased with both the result and the overall infrastructure of the event. Many believe that the Breeze has established itself immediately and will continue to grow in the years to come.

To Sum Up

The launch of the new breeze-up sale at Naas marks a unique moment for the Irish bloodstock market. It needed an event such as this, as it has a vibrant market for racing horses. The US format of the event is something new to the Irish markets, but it proved to work quite well. This is especially true due to the innovative technology used to provide buyers with the necessary transparency.

This was just the first event, and chances are we'll see many more in the years to come, as the industry was very pleased with the organisation.