A DECENT round of yearling sales in the autumn pointed to a likely upswing in figures for Part 1 of the Goffs November Foal Sale but only the most wildly optimistic observers would have envisaged a return to the heights of 2017 which is exactly what took place this week.

A marked drop in clearance rates and a very selective approach by buyers were the prevailing themes from this auction 12 months ago but it was all change this time and perhaps the tone for the sale was set by Monday’s session where the clearance rate jumped from 59 to 68%.