THE Goffs London Sale is an appropriate curtain raiser to Royal Ascot week, as international visitors gather at Kensington Palace Gardens to peruse potential runners for the week ahead. It’s a beautiful setting in which to be seen and people watch, while keeping hydrated on Chateau Léoube, and the sale itself often provides plenty of entertainment.

Last year, the crowd strained to identify who had provided the £8.1million bid for Prix de Diane heroine Sparkling Plenty, but much to Goffs dismay, it was revealed to have been made on behalf of owner/breeder Jean-Pierre Dubois. Al Shaqab later struck a deal to purchase a 50% stake for £5million.