By Daithi Harvey
Trade got off to a solid start at the new format Goffs November Foal Sale on Monday and it was a son of Coolmore Stud stallion No Nay Never that provided the session topper when lot 238 sold to Tom Whitehead's Powerstown Stud for €85,000. Offered by Highpark, the March born colt is the second produce out of Dacio (Harlan's Holiday), who was placed on the track in France. Compared to last year's third day of foal trade, the figures showed improvements in several categories, with 190 sold from 245 offered for a clearance rate of 77.6% and a gross of €4,051,550. The average was €21,324 (+15.7%) and the median was €16,750 (+11.7%).
For much of the day it was lot 81, a son of Tamayuz (GB), that held the mantle of top lot when acquired by Paul and Marie McCartan's Ballyphilip Stud for €80,000. The colt was consigned by Derek Veitch's Ringfort Stud out of the Galileo (Ire) mare Red Halo (Ire), who has bred a winner from one runner. That winner, Redicean (GB) (Medicean {GB}), doubling his tally to two wins since the catalogue was printed. Tamayuz, who stands at Derrinstown Stud, has had a 50% increase in stud fee for 2018 off the back of two Group 1 winning fillies in 2017.
The McCartans must have enjoyed following the exploits of their graduates this year who included Group 1 winner Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and 'Cartier Sprinter of the Year' Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and they had earlier struck for lot 5, another colt by No Nay Never offered by Knockatrina House that sold for €40,000.
A number of first-crop sires made a splash on the opening day, including Hot Streak (Ire) who stands at Tweenhills Farm. Lot 60 appropriately, was bred by Tweenhills owner David Redvers's close friend Peter Molony and, consigned through Baroda & Colbinstown, the colt was knocked down to Eddie O'Leary of Lynn Lodge Stud for €56,000. It was the first foal of the stallion to be offered at auction and the good walking chestnut was providing a decent return to the breeder; the dam Never In (Ire) having been bought by Rathmore Stud for €13,500 in 2014.
Yeomanstown Stud stallion Gutaifan (Ire)'s foals have also been the subject of good reports and his first offerings went down well on Monday. His first to enter the ring, lot 27, was one of 11 foals to be offered on the day and the filly went the way of Ebor Bloodstock, the hammer falling at €48,000. The same price was given for a son of another Yeomanstown stallion, this time Camacho (GB), when Mark Dwyer of Oaks Farm signed for lot 38. The January foal, offered by Rathbarry Stud is the first produce of the four-time winner Maiden Approach (GB) (New Approach {Ire}).
Continuing the trend of first-crop sires, Darley's Night Of Thunder (Ire) also provided a day one highlight when his daughter, lot 137, made €65,000 to the bid of Jamie Railton. The Shanaville stables-consigned foal benefitted from an important recent update when her 2-year-old half-sister All Out (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) added another win and a valuable stakes placing to her portfolio since the catalogue went to print.
Trade remained solid as the afternoon progressed and a Raven's Pass colt from Sandra Russell drew the attention of team Darley when selling for €66,000. Lot 183 was signed for by Darley Japan, one of two purchases on the day for Sheikh Mohammed's operation. Tally-Ho Stud will no doubt be one of the more active participants this week and they got in the action when buying lot 191, a son of Camelot (GB) offered by Ryebridge Stud for €68,000 and lot 221, a son of Cable Bay (Ire) for €75,000, thus providing a fine result for another freshman stallion. The latter hailed from the Norelands Stud consignment.
Action resumes at Goffs on Tuesday at 10 a.m. local time with trade expected to take another leap forward.
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