The two-day Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale at Doncaster ended on Wednesday with 338 of the 403 yearlings offered for sale finding buyers.

This clearance rate of 84% is higher than most commentators would have predicted at the start of the week, given the global economic and social disruption caused by Covid-19 this year.

Total spending of £11.5 million was 38% down on last year, and both the average and median prices were back 27% and 24%.

Tuesday's sale-topper, Coulonces Sales’ £170,000 Starspangledbanner colt,maintained its place at the top of the market with Wednesday's trade topped by Mountarmstrong’s Havana Gold half-brother to the group-placed Angel Alexander and stakes-placed Mighty Spirit, which sold to Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock for £115,000.

Two other lots achieved six-figure sums on Wednesday, both coming late in the day. W.H. Bloodstock’s Showcasing filly sold to Middleham Park Racing for £110,000 and the last lot of the sale, Highclere’s Dark Angel own-brother to the Group 3 winner Yafta, was bought by SackvilleDonald for £100,000.

Goffs UK managing director Tim Kent commented: "Today concludes what has been one of the most anticipated Premier Yearling Sales in recent years, but not in the way that we normally prepare for a sale, and we share everyone’s collective relief that we have been able to conduct the sale and provide an opening to Europe’s yearling sales circuit during these difficult times.

“There is no doubting that trade across the last few days has not been straightforward, but the important thing is that horses are getting sold and the collective view from vendors and purchasers has been that this was a ‘good’ sale, even though ‘good’ may currently be difficult to quantify.

"We obviously missed some key faces who were active last year but there were a significant number of success stories over the last two days, including some spectacular pinhooks, and we must remember these moments as we reflect on what has been achieved.

“Despite the two days proving predictably difficult, we echo what has been said many times this week, that we are lucky to hold sales and continue to trade despite the challenges that face us and our industry. It has been encouraging to see so many people descend on Doncaster for the sale and to see a respectable clearance rate upheld over the two days.

"Full credit goes to our vendors who have adapted to the market to facilitate trade and we now look forward to the Goffs Sportsman’s and Orby Sale which will take place in Doncaster at the end of this month."

DAY 2 STATISTICS

Offered: 175

Sold: 147 (84%)

Aggregate: £4,525,000 (-43%)

Average: £30,782 (-29%)

Median: £24,000 (-25%)

FULL SALE STATISTICS

Offered: 403

Sold: 338 (84%)

Aggregate: £11,503,500 (-38%)

Average: £34,034 (-27%)

Median: £27,000 (-23%)

READ LEO POWELL'S FULL SALE REPORT IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND