There was a palpable feel of spring in the air at Goffs on Wednesday and it wasn't only the weather that received a boost as prices also picked up slightly as the yearling section of the February Sale came to a close.
A marginally improved second-day clearance rate saw 122 of 202, or 60%, of yearlings sold, bringing an aggregate of €1,392,000 at an average of €11,410 and median of €5,500. An extra half-session of yearlings compared to last year's sale saw the turnover as a whole for this section rise by 8% to €2,118,500 for 199 sold from 335 offered, but there were reductions in the average and median figures, the former falling by 23% to €10,646 and the median was down by 31% to €5,500.
The most expensive youngster of the week hailed from the draft of Collegelands Stud and buyer Peter Doyle was full of praise for the colt and his consignor after he signed the ticket at €86,000 for lot 260.
Doyle said, “He comes from a farm that always has nice foals here. He's been very well prepared and he was a stand-out today but in any sale he would have been a very nice horse.”
The April-born colt is the first foal of the Indian Ridge (GB) mare Sharki (GB), a half-sister to the eight-time winner and black-type performer Johannes (Ire) (Mozart {Ire}), and was one of four short yearlings consigned by Collegelands.
Marking a successful consigning debut for Mick O'Dwyer's Cashel Bloodstock was lot 305, a colt by the ever-popular Kodiac (Ire), who sold for €72,000 to Tally-Ho Stud. Another first foal, the colt's dam Tiz All Over (Tiznow) ran just once but she is a member of a particularly well-credentialed family, being a grand-daughter of Grade 2 winner Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister), the dam of GI Belmont S. winners Rags To Riches (A P Indy) and Jazil (Seeking The Gold), as well as GII Peter Pan S. winner Casino Drive (Mineshaft) and Breeders' Cup Marathon winner Man Of Iron (Giant's Causeway).
Known affectionately by his many friends on the sales circuit as 'Mad Mick', O'Dwyer, a native of Cashel, is more usually seen as a key member of the Baroda & Colbinstown Studs sales teams in Britain and Ireland, and he also works for Lady O'Reilly's Haras de la Louiviere.
He said, “Michael Daly was kind enough to ask me if I'd sell some horses for him and I said I'd help him out. Hopefully there will be a future in it but I'm not giving up the work for Baroda & Colbinstown. I also love working for Lady O'Reilly in France––she loves her horses and loves her staff.”
O'Dwyer, who was assisted at Goffs by Laura Vittecoq of Prime Equestrian, continued, “I've been working at the sales for 20 years now. I started off with Taylor Made and the first horse I led through the ring was Mariah's Storm carrying Giant's Causeway. I'm having a great first time on my own and I have another nice Kodiac filly to sell later who could be the next Tiggy Wiggy!”
Agent Troy Steve will be hoping that O'Dwyer's assessment of lot 476 is accurate as he subsequently bought the Kodiac filly––a half-sister to Russian Group winner Green Bush (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire})––for €52,000 on behalf of Cambridge-based pinhooking outfit Piermill Bloodstock. In total, Cashel Bloodstock sold six of the seven yearlings its draft, with three by Kodiac featuring among the top six lots of the day.
The sole yearling by Darley's Derby winner New Approach (Ire) in the sale was another of the picks of the day, with lot 399 selling for €60,000 to Richard Fitzsimmons of BBA Ireland. Consigned by Airlie Stud for the Niarchos Family, the colt is out of City On Sea (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), a winning half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Domedriver (Ire) (Indian Ridge {GB}). Fitzsimmons confirmed that the colt was bought for a new, unnamed client and will be returned to the sales-ring in the autumn.
Options are open for Rathbarry Stud's Acclamation (GB) colt out of 3-year-old winner Always The Lady (GB) (Halling) after lot 345 sold for €56,000 to Spanish agent Rafael Rojano of Stamina Turf.
“He's been bought for a Spanish partnership and he may go to France to race, though he could be resold later this year. I will talk to the partners and we'll make a decision for him later on,” said Rojano.
Goffs springs back into action at 10am today with a final February session of fillies and mares.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
