THE expectation coming into the Orby Sale was that we would enjoy a strong trade following good results elsewhere and so we were hopeful of some improved statistics.

However, nothing could have prepared us for the strength of the market and the vibrancy of the sale, especially on day one, which saw the world’s highest priced yearling so far this autumn at €2.6 million.

The stunning sister to Blackbeard headed a truly electric trade that resulted from wonderful support from Irish breeders who responded to our strong sale of recovery last year by significantly increasing their support, hence a catalogue that grew by 15%. To return such improved numbers for average and median is particularly noteworthy given those increased numbers as is a clearance rate of 89% which compares very favourably.

Every buyer has made their mark but it has been wonderful to welcome such a big group of American buyers to Kildare Paddocks, several of whom are making their first trip to a European yearling sale.

This followed a concerted drive by our buyer recruitment team, working in tandem with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, and we are most grateful to ITM for their enthusiasm and hard work as we work together to promote the Irish National Yearling Sale to a global audience.

Of course the week started in the most exciting way with the staging of Europe’s richest two-year-old race, the Goffs Million at the Curragh.

What a positive, fun and uplifting occasion it proved to be and Goffs are proud to be part of growing and driving racehorse ownership in this way.

The winning connections were only a joy as they really embraced the concept, making the most of their big win and immediately reinvesting for next year over the last two days. We are pleased to be continuing the concept as it definitely provides a real focus to drive interest and enthusiasm in the Orby.

Orby ‘22 has proved, yet again, that it is the measure of any yearling sale anywhere when we have the support of Irish breeders and we send our sincere thanks to each vendor for entrusting us with so many of their world class yearlings.

We know we are nothing without the horses but the Class of ‘22 allowed us to go all out to drive the biggest and most diverse group of buyers to Kildare for many a year and we are so pleased that there are so many success stories from the sale.