When the affable David Ward bought a Montjeu (Ire) yearling filly at Goffs Orby through SackvilleDonald for €50,000 in 2011, he could not have envisaged the journey she would take he and his family on over the next 10 years. Named Northern Star (Ire), she was no world-beater on the track, winning a maiden at [...]

Having taken place as a virtual event last year when played out solely on social media, the ITM Irish Stallion Trail returned by popular demand this week, though attendance was limited to those directly involved in the breeding industry. As a seasoned trail-hopper who has partaken in each event since its inception seven years ago, [...]

When a colt retires to stud, a regular theme of the promotional drive to attract mares involves a bullish statement by the owner pledging to support the stallion with their own mares, as well as a commitment to invest in the stallion's progeny at the foal and yearling sales. Yulong Investments' Yuesheng Zhang has hit [...]

KILDARE, Ireland–Four days of foal trade certainly whetted the appetite for a quality auction of breeding stock at Goffs on Friday, and the widely anticipated sale of the Group 1 producer Plying (Hard Spun) (lot 1185) certainly didn't disappoint when the dam of Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) sold to Michael Donohoe of BBA [...]

KILDARE, Ireland–The fourth and final day of the Goffs Foal Sale saw prices return to a more affordable level for the average working man or woman, and while there were no dizzying highs there was a decent level of trade for those present. With an extra day of foals compared to last year, Thursday was [...]

KILDARE, Ireland–There was a palpable energy in the air at Goffs on Wednesday morning with the anticipation of some equine future stars changing hands, and so it proved with a daughter of the new king Frankel (GB) stealing the show when selling to Juddmonte Farms for €550,000. Being the strongest day of the four day [...]

KILDARE, Ireland–The momentum built up on day one of the Goffs November Foal sale carried through Tuesday when strong trade was again the order of the day. The step up in pedigree power on offer further buoyed trade and the trend of an improved set of figures also continued its upward trajectory. At the close [...]

KILDARE, Ireland–Unlike last year when it took place the week before Christmas, the Goffs November Foal Sale returned to its rightful place in the calendar and proceedings got off to a very positive start on Monday. As well as last year's session-topping high price of €75,000 being eclipsed when a son of Mehmas (Ire) sold [...]

In a normal year Irish stallion farms would be opening their doors this week to thousands of people traversing the Irish countryside enjoying the ITM Irish Stallion Trail. Of course present circumstances have put a stop to that happening this year but like so many other events that have been adversely affected by Covid-19 the [...]

KILDARE, Ireland–The final instalment of the rescheduled Goffs November Sale was devoted to breeding stock and again some high end withdrawals robbed the sale of some potential headline makers. Despite this, trade for mares that were deemed commercially desirable was strong with no shortage of suitors for the right types and it was the proven [...]

KILDARE, Ireland–It was a case of saving the best until last as the Goffs November Foal Sale finished with a flourish on Sunday evening. Despite a few high-profile withdrawals, there were still plenty of highly sought after lots on offer and it was three foals by Frankel (GB) who shared the honour of co-top lots [...]

KILDARE, Ireland–Different day, different trade. As expected, business at Goffs on Saturday proved a good bit more lively as pin-hookers and end users alike did battle for some quality foals. Although last year's corresponding top price of €135,000 was exceeded by a €155,000 Sea The Stars (Ire) filly foal, other sale indicators suggest the market [...]