Well-bred jumps mares dominated trade on the final day of the December National Hunt Sale at Goffs with Grade 3-winning chaser Zarkareva (Fr) (Authorized {Ire}) leading the way at €240,000.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned Scarlet And Dove (Ire) (Jeremy), successful at Grade 2 level and placed at the Cheltenham festival, confirmed that the demand for high-class mares remains as strong as ever in the National Hunt.
However, similarly to the Flat breeding stock sales in Britain and Ireland throughout recent months, the middle to lower end of the market proved more of a struggle at Goffs, with the clearance rate dropping from 70% in 2022 to just 59% this week.
All told, 468 lots sold for turnover of €8,201,950 (-6%), an average of €17,526 (-4%) and median of €12,000 (+9%).
Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby said, “The two top priced National Hunt foals of the year anywhere together with the 10 highest prices for a National Hunt broodmare in Ireland and the United Kingdom this autumn clearly illustrate the progress this sale has made as such accolades would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Goffs December is now the clear first choice for so many National Hunt breeders which led to our largest ever catalogue for this sale and four days that witnessed some serious bidding duels for several outstanding young future jumpers and established broodmares. €120,000, our second highest National Hunt foal ever, and the €240,000 for Zarkareva are proper headline acts and we are delighted to have delivered consistently at the top of the market.”
Beeby added, “It must, however, be noted that the market has spoken loudly at the middle to lower end this week as evidenced by a clearance rate that makes for serious reflection. Goffs will always strive to provide the best possible marketplace for all categories and work tirelessly to deliver for every vendor but, when four in every ten fail to find a buyer, it must surely be a warning sign for breeders when making plans for next year and beyond. Indeed, this is a sobering statistic especially for the smaller entities and I can only state that Goffs will continue to work with everyone to create the best possible arena for each entry we receive. That includes the ITBA, HRI, ITM and individual breeders as our fortunes are indelibly linked to those of each vendor who chooses the Goffs service.”
Thursday's sale-topper is out of the placed Sendawar mare Zarkiyna, a half-sister to high-class Italian jumper Zarkali but also, more importantly, Zarkasha – better known as the dam of unbeaten Arc heroine Zarkava and her multiple Grade 1 hurdle-winning half-brother Zarkandar.
She was bought by Kieran Mariga's Coolmara Stables in Youghal, County Cork, which has been quickly gathering a band of top-notch National Hunt broodmare prospects in recent times.
“She was just a lovely mare,” said Kieran's son Cathal after the docket was signed. “No Risk At All is a great sire and had the highest priced National Hunt foal this year (the colt out of Hidden Harmony who sold for €120,000 at Goffs on Wednesday).
“We also loved that she's out of a mare by Authorized. We really like him, and we sold a foal by his son Santiago for €43,000 this week. We're big fans of Santiago. So to have a daughter of Authorized – and one from a brilliant Aga Khan Studs family-in foal to No Risk At All is quite special. Let's hope she's lucky, and the progeny make a bit back for us.”
Meanwhile, Scarlet And Dove, who was trained by Joseph O'Brien, was sold to Justin and Jackie Owens of Mount Armstrong Stud.
Beeby concluded on the sale, “In closing I repeat the pride all the team at Goffs feel when we reflect on the progress we have made in the NH sector in recent years as Kildare Paddocks now plays host to true market leaders in the Arkle and December NH sales, both of which enjoyed an atmosphere and vibrancy that are the envy of others as our passionate and experienced team go that little bit further on each occasion. These are backed up with the most viable alternatives across in Doncaster in May and November so ensuring that Goffs continues to offer and full and focussed service to the NH industry.
“For now we wish all Goffs clients a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and look forward to welcoming each and every one back to Kildare Paddocks in 2024 whilst thanking every one of them again for their support, as we know we are nothing without it.”
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