THE Goffs Premier Yearling Sale may have lacked the proverbial fireworks we’ve become accustomed to at record-breaking sale after record-breaking sale, but it demonstrated a strength and depth to the middle market which is heartening to a greater number of breeders than a handful of eye-watering spends in a selective sale.

The median price is generally considered the best measure of a sale, so this week’s increase of 17% to £35,000 pointed to a positive two days for consignors, as did the clearance rate of 86%. Goffs decision to reduce the catalogue helped to raise the average by nine points to £43,194.