IRISH Champions Weekend opened in some style as a new record price of €500,000 was set at the Goffs Champions Sale, in association with Brown Thomas, held in the Leopardstown winners’ enclosure before racing on Saturday.

Pattern-winning filly Cimeara (Lot 4) from Jim Bolger’s Glebe House Stables, winner of both the Group 3 Stanerra Stakes and Listed Vinnie Roe Stakes at Leopardstown in July, topped proceedings when sold to Sun Bloodstock from Australia for €500,000.

Another highlight from the boutique auction was the sale of two year old colt Carbon Fibre (Lot 5) to Hong Kong. The Michael O’Callaghan-trained son of Helmet, a high-class colt placed twice at the Curragh this season, was knocked down to George Moore Bloodstock for €250,000.

The sale opened with four time winner Dawn Hoofer (Lot 1) from Glebe House selling to Gerry Hogan Bloodstock for €52,000, while Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland will look to enhance his excellent strike rate with Champions Sale purchases with the final lot, Stragrane House Stables’ Shatharaat (Lot 9), who was a maiden winner at Listowel on Monday and sold today for €120,000.

At the conclusion of the Champions Sale, Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said: “A new record price of €500,000 and sales to both Australia and Hong Kong as well as the National Hunt fraternity demonstrate the international and diverse appeal of the Goffs Champions Sale. We are delighted with the results and grateful for the support from both vendors and purchasers”.

Click here to view results.

Offered: 8

Sold: 6

Aggregate: €1,312,000

Average: €218,667

Median: €185,000

FULL COVERAGE OF IRISH CHAMPIONS WEEKEND IN THE IRISH FIELD NEXT SATURDAY