By Brian Sheerin
One of the main attractions of the Goffs Autumn Horses In Training Sale on Tuesday is Gustavus Weston (Ire) (Equiano {Fr}), the four-time winner whose career highlight came when he landed the G2 Greenlands S. at the Curragh last year.
On that occasion, Joe Murphy's charge was chased home by Make A Challenge (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a 10-time winner for Denis Hogan, who is also in the sale.
Hogan said of his eight-strong draft, “We've a nice draft of horses going to Goffs. We'll be sorry to see some of them go. We've eight going and Ransom (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who won just the other night at Dundalk, is in there.
“So is Florence Thompson (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), who has placed about 20 times for us. There's some of them we'd love to keep and, if some owners were to express an interest, we could look at doing that.”
Those classy sprinters will be joined by a much-reduced but quality trio from the Aga Khan Studs. It features Riyami (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), rated 66 and winless in five starts for Michael Halford, the 77-rated Karakoul (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}), who has placed three times, and 1m4f winner Shajak (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}), both of whom are trained by Johnny Murtagh.
The supplementary lots for the sale are well worth checking out as well. Listed as lots 136 to 144, they are headed by the Group 3-placed Strong Johnson (Ire) (Le Cadre Noi {Ire}) from Beechcourt Stables.
Graduates from this sale have made an impact all over the world, none more so than Melbourne Cup winner and Irish St. Leger runner-up Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who was bought Glebe House Stables by Kerr & Co Ltd for €200,000 in 2018.
Saltonstall is another high-profile graduate. Sold by Michael Halford's Copper Beech Stables in 2018 for €44,000 to Shamrock TB/Compas Equine, Saltonstall (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) has proved to be a money-spinner for the Ado McGuinness stable and notched his ninth career success last month at Leopardstown.
Hot on the heels of the horses-in-training sale is two days of yearling sales at Goffs on Wednesday and Thursday. The Autumn Yearling Sale has punched above its weight in recent years with Quick Suzy (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}) a notable graduate.
Quick Suzy was snapped up by Aoife Dunphy for just €20,000 when this sale took place online in 2020. She went on to win the Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot for Gavin Cromwell and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.
The Autumn Horses In Training Sale kicks off at 12pm on Tuesday while the Autumn Yearling Sale begins at 10am on Wednesday and Thursday.
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