There was a rather aptly-named top lot to the final session of the November Breeding Stock Sale as Over The Moon (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) led the way on Saturday with Goffs chief Henry Beeby summing up the trade at Kildare Paddocks this week as “historic”.
Over The Moon (lot 1373) was sold in foal to Space Blues (Ire) to Ted Naughton for €80,000 from Knocktoran Stud in a week where the Niarchos draft, headlined by record-equalling half-sisters Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), led the way at €6m apiece.
The Niarchos draft played a massive role in turnover climbing 147% to €40,734,500 and the average rocketing 126% to €125,337. The median, however, dropped 23% to €18,500 while the clearance rate dropped 5% to 73%.
Beeby commented, “The Niarchos Draft was the most keenly anticipated consignment at any sale anywhere in recent years and duly delivered a truly historic day at Goffs yesterday with the highest grossing day in the company's 157 years of business at €39.5 Million. The duo of €6 million top prices equals the highest ever recorded in Ireland which, of course, was set 10 years ago at the same sale when Chicquita headlined the Paulyn Dispersal whilst it also represents the top price at any thoroughbred sale in the world this year.
“On behalf of all the team at Goffs, I want to record our supreme thanks to the Niarchos family for entrusting us with such an iconic and blue-blooded group of mares and fillies. It was a huge privilege to handle their sale and we were delighted to welcome a genuinely international group of buyers to Kildare Paddocks with several attending for the first time. The 39 Niarchos lots headlined an amazing day that was backed up by several other world class drafts with the day graphically illustrating that Goffs is the measure of any auction house as it featured a wonderful selection of well-bred thoroughbreds that were sold to some of the biggest names in global bloodstock. That is what Goffs exists to do and I extend our appreciation to every client whether buying or selling and at every level for we always recognise that we are nothing without each horse and the people to buy them.”
The Niarchos draft made up roughly two thirds of the entire turnover with just shy of €27m spent on the 39 lots offered by the world-famous racing operation.
Beeby added, “Our Breeding Stock Sale followed on from a strong renewal of the Goffs November Foal Sale at which a huge contingent of buyers of all ages and price ranges descended on Co Kildare leading to a vibrant atmosphere throughout and another world leading top price of €700,000.
“I commented on Thursday that the good results should not be taken as a totally clean bill of health for the industry and it must be noted that there is a degree of correction in the market especially at the lower level. That was clearly the case today, notwithstanding the statistical advances compared to last year, and breeders may rest assured that Goffs, together with ITM, accept that we can always do more to drive more people to our sales at the commercial level and we will redouble our efforts on their behalf as we head into 2024.
“In closing I repeat a very sincere and heartfelt thanks to every client, every groom, all at ITM and all the Goffs team for their hard work and enthusiasm, all of which combined to make November 23 one which will live long in the memory.”
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