Gosden Colt Tops Goffs UK

Trade stepped up a few gears at Goffs UK on Wednesday as the focus turned to horses in training. The John Gosden trained Joshua Reynolds (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) gave his sales credentials a boost when winning a well contested handicap at Chelmsford last week. That win saw his rating climb to 96 and ensured lot 192 was popular among prospective buyers and it was Alex Elliott who ultimately secured the colt for £160,000. Joshua Reynolds will now embark on a career in Australia for Highclere Racing.

Despite a top price significantly higher than last year's £78,000 some of the sale's KPIs came in slightly short of the mark set in 2016. Aggregate was down marginally from £2,151,100 to £2,112,000, however the clearance rate rose four points to 80% as a result of 270 of the 339 offered lots finding new homes. The average and median both dipped slightly to £7,822 and £4,000.

Shadwell had over two dozen horses catalogued and they were responsible for two of the top three lots sold on the day with lot 253 Nadaitak (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) selling for £80,000 to Stroud Coleman on behalf of Jonjo O'Neill. The 3-year-old gelding had posted some solid efforts in staying company for Sir Michael Stoute and will no doubt have his attention switched to jumping hurdles sooner rather than later.

Earlier the Howson and Houldsworth team struck for lot 215 Mushahadaat (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), also from Shadwell. The 2-year-old won a six furlong maiden on her last start for Brian Meehan in October and was hammered down for £77,000. “She's a racy filly with hopefully a few more wins left in her,” Matthew Houldsworth reported afterwards via Twitter.

Goffs UK Managing Director Tony Williams was satisfied with proceedings and commented, “It's pleasing to end on a high note and today's Horses-in-Training session has certainly been a success. Having large drafts from Godolphin and Shadwell bolstered the catalogue and that, in conjunction with horses from leading trainers such as John Gosden who sold the top lot today, gave the sale international appeal and drew a lot of domestic and overseas buyers from around the world to Doncaster. Yesterday's yearling session followed the current trend but to have an increased median and an improved clearance rate of 76% was a good result. We now turn our attention to the 2018 January Sale where we look forward to offering a 25-entry dispersal from Mr Richard Kelvin-Hughes' Trull House Stud alongside National Hunt Mares and Foals, Horses-in-Training and Point-to-Pointers.”