The horses-in-training session of the Goffs Open Yearling & Horses-In-Training sale was conducted on Wednesday in Co. Kildare, with offerings from the Aga Khan draft proving most popular when filling the top two positions on the price list.
The sale was expanded to two days this year and so saw an increased number of horses-in-training offered. A total of 103-head sold fetched €1,704,400, good for an average of €16,548 (up 18.7%) and a median of €9,000 (down 27.8%). The buyback rate was a very healthy 10.4%.
While a highlight was provided early in the session when Galway Bay Bloodstock spent €75,000 on Grand Coalition (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (lot 38) from Johnny Murtagh's Fox Covert Stables, the action really kicked into high gear early in the evening when the Aga Khan horses took their turns through the ring. The 17-horse draft resulted in the only two six-figure transactions of the day, led by lot 89, the winning 3-year-old gelding Aydoun (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). That son of the G3 2000 Guineas Trial winner Alayan (Ire) (Sri Pekan) was picked up by Bill Dwan's Bloodstock Services for €200,000.
Aydoun was followed shortly thereafter in the ring by the 3-year-old colt Ebediyin (Ire) (Raven's Pass) (lot 97), who was bought by BBA Ireland on behalf of Zhang Yuesheng for €150,000. The bay, who is a winner this year and last, descends from one of his breeder's most prolific families. He is a son of G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Prix Royal Oak winner Ebadiyla (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), who is a half-sister to G1 Gold Cup winner Estimate (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) and Enzeli (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}), as well as G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Edabiya (Ire) (Rainbow Quest). G1 Investec Oaks and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner Taghrooda (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) appears under the Ebadiyla's second dam.
The second session of the sale, the yearling session, takes place on Thursday.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
