“THE new best.”

That is how we have marketed the Land Rover Sale recently as it has continued its evolution to become the clear first choice for increasing numbers.

“Best” is, however, a subjective term so perhaps it’s better that we let the horses do the talking, firstly in the sales ring, and then on the racecourse.

That would be apt as we have always said we are nothing without the horses our vendors supply and this year we have been provided with a catalogue of unsurpassed quality.

Indeed we have not needed spin to promote the sale as, from the moment the catalogue was published, so many people commented on the depth and class over the two days.

That translated into a trade of phenomenal intensity from start to finish and so, on behalf of all the Goffs team and especially our NH Inspection Team of Gerry Hogan, Peter Molony, Kevin Ross and Neil Walsh, I repeat our sincere thanks to every vendor who placed their trust in the Goffs service.

We do not underestimate the importance of the decision taken in each case and are just delighted to have received so many positive comments from such a variety of satisfied clients.

The statistics make for happy reading with an impressive 90% clearance rate, a 12% rise in average, 13% median increase and a massive 41 horses realising €100,000 and over, and all from a sale that is only in its second year as a two-day event following the unprecedented demand for places from all the big farms.

The latter stat perhaps most graphically illustrates the progress the Land Rover has made as there was just one six-figure lot 10 years ago, while this year’s tally is the most recorded at any store sale.

A catalogue of such potential, together with a superb season on the racecourse for Land Rover graduates, headed by another unrivalled performance at Cheltenham, allowed our purchaser attraction team, working in tandem with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, to attract a huge crowd from across Ireland, a massive contingent from the UK and a significant investor from USA to descend on Kildare Paddocks.

The signs were good from Sunday morning when the yards were a hive of activity as potential purchasers worked through their not-so-short lists.

Again we are indebted to every buyer for the confidence they have placed in the Land Rover horses and we look forward to following their careers on the racecourse in the next few years when there will undoubtedly be some big days.