NEWS that the Dubai Carnival has been expanded and enriched for next season is likely to have a positive impact on next week’s Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale.

Over 250 two-year-olds will breeze at Fairyhouse Racecourse next Thursday morning before being offered for sale across the road at Tattersalls Ireland on Friday. It is the last major European breeze-up sale of the season, and so far the results on the circuit have been strong.

The enlarged Craven Sale returned an average price of 121,885gns, up 5% on last year. The average price at the Guineas Breeze Up was up 20% to 42,145gns.

At Doncaster, the Goffs UK Breeze Up Sale saw the average jump from £49,000 to £63,000 (up 28%) and last weekend’s Arqana auction posted an average price of €150,000, compared with €130,000 in 2022.

The Goresbridge Sale broke records last year, witnessing 11 six-figure transactions and an all-time high average price of €38,155. A notable aspect of last year’s sale was the number of high-profile lots bought to race in Dubai, due to the expanding racing programme there.

Just last week it was announced that the Dubai Racing Carnival is being extended and will start in November rather than January, and that prize money there will go up by 27%.

UAE interest

Trainer Bhupat Seemar and jockey Tadhg O’Shea, who have been champions in the United Arab Emirates, will both be active at Tattersalls Ireland next week.

Seemar said: “I’ve been going to the Goresbridge Sale for at least 10 years and have had a lot of success there. We bought Commanding there for €55,000 and he won the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial and started favourite for our Guineas.

“This sale comes at a good time for us. Sometimes horses have to be rushed for a breeze-up sale but the Goresbridge horses have had more time to develop. We don’t race them until November, so this works well for us.

“Our two-year-old racing programme is improving every year and we have great prize money. The quality is improving too. At Goresbridge you can find turf and dirt pedigrees. One of my European breeze-up purchases ran in the Kentucky Derby two years ago.”

Tadhg O’Shea added: “Our owners will be supporting the Goresbridge Sale again. The catalogue looks strong and you tend to get a nice big horse there. We are well looked after by Tattersalls and the whole set-up is very convenient, with Fairyhouse just across the road.”

The sale has a reputation for attracting a wide range of overseas buyers and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing boss Charles O’Neill says interest from abroad remains very strong.

“We’re expecting a lot of Italians, Scandinavians, Spanish, French and British. We’re also in discussions with some buyers from the US.

“One of the big attractions of this sale is that there is a horse for every budget and all sorts of pedigrees. It’s a sale that has grown in popularity. The formula is simple. We look after the people who come, make them feel appreciated, make it a fun sale to work. That’s what they want.”

IRE Incentive

O’Neill is adamant the IRE Incentive is paying off. This scheme sees owners receive a €10,000 sales voucher when they win selected races in Ireland and Britain with an Irish-bred horse. Speaking from York on Thursday, O’Neill said: “Kevin Ryan and [owner] Brendan McDonald won a voucher here yesterday and they are coming back to spend it next week. I’ve had two other trainers asking me today if they can use their vouchers at Goresbridge.”

Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins feels everything is falling into place for another good sale.

“Credit for the sale’s international appeal must go to Martin Donohoe who established this sale at Goresbridge in 2006. Tattersalls Ireland came on board in 2019 and the sale has continued to grow.

“It comes at a great time of the year, leading into Tattersalls Irish Guineas weekend. Results from the other European breeze-ups have been good this year, our catalogue is strong, and there are very good vibes from potential buyers.”