FOLLOWING Wednesday’s blockbuster session, Thursday saw a much tamer day of trade at the Goffs November Foal Sale as the quality of animal on offer was more in line with those sold on the first two days of trading.

The clearance rate dropped to 73% but that was a lot better than on this day last year when only 60% of foals found buyers. Thursday’s median price of €14,000 was markedly up on the figure of €11,000 recorded last year.

There was one six-figure transaction on Thursday, a filly by Sands Of Mali who made €100,000, and the same stallion was responsible for a €90,000 colt on Thursday, bought by Yeomanstown Stud, which acquired the stallion last week in a multi-million euro deal.

Pa Doyle’s Galbertstown Stables sold the €100,000 session-topper, a filly bred by Tony Cosgrave and a half-sister to two multiple winners by French Navy and Prince Of Lir. The dam did not win herself.

Purchasing the filly was Finbar Kent, formerly of Mickley Stud but now set up on his own at Glebe Stud near Newmarket. He said of his big-money investment: “I thought she was the class act of the day. I bought a brother [Almarada Prince] a few years ago at Donny in the breeze-ups and he did well for us, and I had a bit of luck with a Phoenix Of Spain out of the mare [two-year-old colt sold for 120,000gns last year]. She was a really lovely filly and it was a real upgrade for the mare to go to Sands Of Mali.

“He is an exceptional stallion and Joe Foley did a great job with him at Ballyhane Stud. I think he will go from strength to strength now. He is going to be very well supported, and I think Yeomanstown were underbidders for this filly. We bought the previous two a bit cheaper, but as the dam got an upgrade, we had to upgrade the price too!”

Later in the day Yeomanstown's Robert O’Callaghan saw off Eddie O’Leary when landing the €90,000 winning bid for the Sands Of Mali colt consigned by Ennell Lodge Stud. The colt is the first foal out of four-time winner Tullypole Annie, a daughter of Dragon Pulse.

O’Callaghan said: “Himself and the filly that Finn [Kent] bought this morning were the best two foals today. Beautiful movers, great outlooks, they are really good advertisements for the stallion. We were underbidders on the filly, and very keen to get this one today – it would have been hard to leave without him.

“I thought he might come in a little bit less than that, but the way things went this week you have to go above and beyond to get them. The demand shows that the sire in on an upward trajectory.”

There were 14 foals by Sands Of Mali sold this week (only one bought back by the vendor) and the average price paid for them was €38,000.

Fairytale for CAFRE

The very last lot in the catalogue, Lot 998, provided a fairytale result for the students at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in Enniskillen. Their Native Trail colt, out of a mare the College bought for €26,000 last year, fetched an incredible €80,000. And it was bought by a top judge in Jimmy Murphy of Redpender Stud.

Representing CAFRE management, Gayle Moane said: “This just means everything. We bought the mare in Goffs last year [€26,000] and we had backing from the industry. We asked them for their advice, what mare to buy, and they all liked [Zarak Star (Zarak)]. We were delighted when she came in our budget.

“Then you hold your breath. We have not been in Goffs since 2019 selling a foal. We never dreamed he would make as much as that. We are absolutely thrilled and it gives the students an opportunity to see what the market can do for the right type of foal. He’s been great to handle, he did more than 200 shows this week, and he has just been a trooper.

“The mare is in foal to Gleneagles for next year, so we will keep our fingers crossed.”

Other highlights on Thursday included two foals by Tally-Ho first season sire Good Guess (by Kodiac) selling for €70,000 and €60,000. These foals were conceived off a published stud fee of €17,500. The horse, a Group 1 winner in France, will stand at €12,500 in 2026.

"Hive of activity"

Wrapping up the week, Goffs CEO Henry Beeby said: “Rarely have I auctioned in a more vibrant atmosphere, especially on Wednesday, and we can only thank both our vendors for entrusting us with the cream of the Irish foal crop once again, together with the array of purchasers for the confidence they continue to show in Goffs November.

“From single-lot buyers on a day out from school, to the dynastic families that are the backbone of the industry to elite international buyers, Kildare Paddocks has been a hive of activity from the weekend, with the yards rammed each day and vendors reporting record-breaking numbers of shows for their youngsters.

“Another quote that is often relevant but that we would challenge on this occasion is “you’re only as good as your last sale” as the median price is just short of 12 months ago, although the clearance rate is up and the average has held steady. Normally that would cause a degree of angst, but not this time, as we have effectively matched the unprecedented levels that we reached in 2024 when the sale grew by a gargantuan amount, especially at the top when the Wednesday average and median both jumped by over 60%.

“So, there will be no postmortem and regret, only thanks and celebration after a sale that truly leads the market, as we confirmed its status with a trade that was consistent, vibrant and at times frenzied, to return a level of activity that some thought impossible this time last week.

“That said, we are not surprised as Goffs Orby broke records and set the scene for another good renewal, and we knew we had been sent the lion’s share of the best in the country. As we have said so often, we are nothing without the horses, although we have once again proved our mantra that Goffs will deliver, and then some, when we are given the opportunities, and that has all come together so well over the last four days.

“Finally, I want to pay tribute to the amazing horsemen and women. The dedication and care that we see day in, day out from all those who present foals is inspiring every time a foal is shown. These youngsters are out of their comfort zone for the first time in their short lives, but are reassured by the care and understanding that is exhibited each time they are pulled out. As I mentioned, it’s been unbelievably busy, but through the downpours of the weekend to the arctic temperatures today, every handler has shown their charges with positivity, tenderness and efficiency that has made the job at hand even more enjoyable than ever. We salute and thank them all.

The two-day Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale commences today at 10am.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE SALE RESULTS