LAST year, Goffs United Kingdom Sales made some changes to the format at their massive Spring Sale at Doncaster, devoted to National Hunt horses.
This time they are holding the sale a week later than last year, but will again be selling for three consecutive days, from May 23rd to 25th, with the stores on the Tuesday, then the horses in training on the Wednesday and the Thursday. The stores catalogue was published well before the end of April, while that for the horses-in-training came out a few weeks later. Wednesday’s entries include the usual celebrated Million In Mind dispersal.
There are as usual, many Irish entries in the catalogues, which contain a massive 478 horses-in-training and 257 stores, a grand total of 735 horses, 179 more than last May. Among the many proven jumpers are Contre Tous from the Paul Nicholls’ stable, while Nicky Henderson consigns Grade 2 chase winner Vaniteux and Kim Bailey offers triple Grade 2 chase star Harry Topper.
Long established as Britain’s outstanding National Hunt auction, there have been several new world NH records set at the Spring Sales in recent years. Horses sold here in the last few years include Bobs Worth, Rock On Ruby, Riverside Theatre, Uxizandre, and Briar Hill, who were all Grade 1 winners at the Cheltenham Festival in the last few years. Other graduates include the Grand National hero Silver Birch, bought for only 20,000 guineas, and the top-class chasers Tea For Two, Tidal Bay and Voy Por Ustedes.
HORSES-IN-TRAINING
PROVEN NH FORM
Lot 306 CONTRE TOUS, 5yo b g by Forestier. From Manor Farm Stables (Million In Mind). Won a bumper in France and 2 chases in England in 2017. BHA Rating 125. Same grandam as French Grade 1 star Blue Dragon.
Lot 331 HAMMERSLY LAKE, 9yo b g by Kapgarde. From Seven Barrows. Won a hurdle at Auteuil and 2 chases in England in 2016 and 2017, second Grade 2 Arkle Trial Chase. Dam won listed chase in France.
Lot 336 VANITEUX, 8yo br g by Voix du Nord. From Seven Barrows. Won 6 races, Grade 2 Lightning Chase and 2 listed chases, second Grade 2 Wayward Lad Chase, third Grade 1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. BHA Rating 158.
Lot 534 HARRY TOPPER, 10yo b g by Sir Harry Lewis. From Thorndale Farm. Won a bumper, 2 hurdles and 5 chases, Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase, Grade 2 Worcester Chase, Grade 2 Denman Chase. BHA Rating 143.
Lot 579 CHARMIX, 7yo br g by Laveron. From Harry Fry Racing. Won hurdles at Newbury and Wetherby and a chase at Hereford in 2017, third Grade 2 Pendil Chase. BHA Rating 140.
Lot 636 PETER THE MAYO MAN, 7yo ch g by Dylan Thomas. From Neil Mulholland Racing. Won a bumper at Fairyhouse and 3 hurdles in England, third Grade 2 Dovecote Hurdle, BHA Rating 137.
SELECT BUMPERS
Lot 414 SETTIE HILL, 4yo b g by Cape Blanco. From Oaks Farm Stables. Won Market Rasen bumper in field of 10 on April 27th, his first start. Half-brother to Toast Of New York (Group 2 UAE Derby).
Lot 418 JAUNTY FLYER, 5yo b g by Sulamani. From Closcedi Farm. Won Exeter bumper by 8 lengths on April 26th, third in other 2 starts. Half-brother to 3 winners, including Jaunty Flight (6 wins, listed hurdle).
Lot 421 SWORD OF FATE, 4yo b g by Beneficial. From Cottage Field Stables. Won Exeter bumper on April 26th by 10 lengths, also third in a point-to-point. Half-brother to 4 winners, dam half-sister to Grade 1 star Chief Dan George.
Lot 423 SUDDEN DESTINATION, 5yo ch g by Dubai Destination. From Sandyhill Stables. Second of 13 at Ballinrobe on May 2nd, also third in Inch point-to-point. Grandam half-sister to Feathered Gale (Irish Grand National).
Lot 425 FORT MONTAGU, 5yo b g by Fuisse. From Seven Sisters Stud. Won Tramore bumper in April, beating 10 others, his latest start. Dam winning own-sister to dam of Binocular (Grade 1 Champion Hurdle).
PROMISING POINTERS
Lot 373 SPACE SAFARI, 4yo b g by Kapgarde. From Cottage Field Stables. Impressive 16 lengths winner at Dingley on May 7th, his second start. Dam half-sister to 2 listed hurdles winners in France.
Lot 413 PETERBOROUGH, 4yo b g by Fuisse. From Monbeg Stables. Won at Curraghmore on April 16th, his first start. Half-brother to 5 winners, including Pythagore (Grade 2 Prix Georges Courtois Chase and 5 listed wins).
Lot 416 MELLOW BEN, 4yo ch g by Beneficial. From Monbeg Stables. Second at Loughrea on April 30th, his first start. Dam won over hurdles. Family of top hurdler Galmoy.
Lot 417 COMMODORE BARRY, 4yo br g by Presenting. From Ashgrove Stables. Second of 9 at Dawstown on May 1st, fourth only other start. Half-brother to Glencove Marina (Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle).
Lot 419 CHEER’S DELBOY, 4yo ch g by Golan. From Moate Stables. Second (beaten only a neck) at Curraghmore on April 16th, his second start. Dam won on flat and over hurdles.
Lot 422 DJARKEVI, 4yo b g by Khalkevi. From Monbeg Stables. Won at Grennan on May 7th, beating 10 others, second of 14 only other start. Same grandam as Pineau De Re (Aintree Grand National).
Lot 424 DON DES FOSSES, 4yo b g by Denham Red. From Monbeg Stables. Won in field of 10 at Dawstown on May 1st, his first start. Family of French Grade 2 chaser Un Nononito.
Lot 427 SWEET AS CANDY, 5yo b g by Morozov. From Ballyboy Stables. Won by 6 lengths at Lisronagh on April 29th in field of 12, his first start. Dam half-sister to Duers (8 wins, third Grade 2 chase).
Lot 428 FLEMINPORT, 4yo b g by Flemensfirth. From Loughanmore Farms. Second of 11 at Broughshane on April 29th, his second start. Dam won point-to-point, half-sister to Tumbling Dice (Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase).
SPRING STORE SALES
COLTS AND GELDINGS
Lot 1 3yo b g by Shirocco. From Trickledown Stud. Second produce. Dam Easter Legend won 5 races, Grade 2 Warfield Hurdle, Listed EBF/TBA Chase Final.
Lot 17 4yo b g by Presenting. From Mill House Stud. Own-brother to Graded-placed winner Dadsintrouble. Dam Gemini Lucy won 7 races, Grade 1 Dan Moore Chase. Family of Jodami.
Lot 37 3yo b g by Oscar. From Mount Eaton Stud. Own-brother to Rather Be (Grade 3 Alder Hey Hurdle), half-brother to Sign Of A Victory (Listed William Hill Hurdle).
Lot 55 3yo b g by Scorpion. From Walshtown Stables. Half-brother to Mount Colah (9 wins, Grade 3 Foxrock Chase). Dam half-sister to Newmill (Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase).
Lot 59 3yo b g by Presenting. From Mill House Stud. Half-brother to 4 winners, including Coverholder (7 wins, second Grade 2 chase). Dam half-sister to Harbour Pilot (Grade 1 Drinmore Chase).
Lot 101 3yo b g by Winged Love. From Lakefield Farm. Half-brother to Publican (listed bumper) and to dam of Clondaw Warrior (12 wins, Grade 1 Galway Hurdle). Family of Night Nurse.
Lot 104 ELF DE RE, 3yo ch g by Anabaa Blue. From Moanmore Stables. Half-brother to a winner. Dam won in France, half-sister to Pineau De Re (8 wins, Aintree Grand National).
Lot 144 3yo b g by Oscar. From Crohane Stud. Half-brother to Tranquil Sea (13 wins, Grade 1 Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle, Grade 1 Punchestown Chase).
Lot 151 3yo b g by Midnight Legend. From Goldford Stud. Dam own-sister to Hell’s Bay (Grade 2 Dipper Chase). Grandam own-sister to Flagship Uberalles, half-sister to Viking Flagship.
Lot 153 3yo b g by Kayf Tara. From Goldford Stud. Own-brother to Special Tiara (7 wins, Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase, Grade 1 Maghull Chase).
Lot 182 3yo b g by Milan. From Stow Stud. Second produce. Dam half-sister to Muirhead (7 wins, Grade 1 Royal Bond Hurdle, Grade 1 Munster National).
Lot 186 4yo b g by Beneficial. From Battlefield Stud. First produce. Dam half-sister to listed hurdle winner Snake Eyes, out of Be My Belle (Grade 2 Thyestes Chase, half-sister to Rose Of Inchiquin).
Lot 243 3yo b g by Kalanisi. From Galbertstown Stud. Half-brother to 3 wnners, including Nearly Nama’d (6 wins, Grade 1 Dan Moore Chase, Grade 2 Ballyhack Chase).
Lot 245 3yo b g by Presenting. From Mill House Stud. Third produce. Dam half-sister to Binocular (13 wins, Grade 1 Champion Hurdle, Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle).
FASCINATING FILLIES
Lot 5 4yo b f by Black Sam Bellamy. From Mill House Stud. Second produce. Grandam Fiddling The Facts won Grade 1 Feltham Chase. Family of Grade 1 chaser For Non Stop.
Lot 80 3yo b f by Flemensfirth. From Crohane Stud. First produce. Dam half-sister to 8 winners, including Fagan and Sunni May (both Grade 1 placed). Family of Champion Hurdle stars Morley Street and Granville Again.
Lot 95 4yo b f by Yeats. From Little Lodge Farm. Second produce. Dam My Petra won 7 races, Grade 2 Amlin Chase and Listed Mares Hurdle.
Lot 139 3yo br f by Milan. From Mount Eaton Stud. Second produce. Dam half-sister to Fingal Bay (Grade 1 Challow Hurdle, Grade 2 Persian War Hurdle) and Oodachee (Grade 3 Hugh McMahon Chase).
Lot 173 3yo b f by Midnight Legend. From Simon Clarke. Second produce. Dam Toungara own-sister to Nacarat (Grade 1 Totesport Bowl Chase, Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase).
Lot 174 3yo ch f by Flemensfirth. From Battlefield Stud. First produce. Dam Twilight Affair own-sister to Perce Rock (8 wins, Grade 1 Dan Moore Chase, second Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle).
Lot 232 4yo b f by Kalanisi. From Rathkenty Stud. Half-sister to 2 winners, including Rogue Angel (Grade 1 Irish Grand National, Grade 1 Kerry National), Dam half-sister to 3 graded chase winners.
GOFFS UNITED KINGDOM SALES
Office Address: Auction Mart Offices, Hawick, Roxburghshire TD9 9NW
Sales Address: Goffs UK Sales Complex, Sandall Beat Road, Leger Way, Doncaster DN2 6JP
Telephone: (office) 44 (0) 1450 372222 (sales) 44 (0) 1302 349166
Email: winners@goffsuk.com
Website: www.goffsuk.com
Date: Tuesday to Thursday, May 23rd-25th
Time: 10am on Tuesday and Thursday, 11am on Wednesday
Total lots: 735
Last year’s top lot: Le Prezien, £290,000