Goffs is set to offer something different to the National Hunt sphere by adding two-year-old store horses to the historic Arkle Sale in 2025.
Traditionally, the sale has been dominated by three-year-old unbroken stores-including the odd smattering of four-year-olds-but Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby says that the addition of two-year-olds is a reaction to market demands.
Beeby said, “We pride ourselves on being flexible and progressive in meeting market demands whilst taking a measured approach and the introduction of two-year-old stores to the Arkle Sale comes in response to long running discussions on the subject that has included our vendors, buyers, the Goffs National Hunt team and the wider National Hunt community.
“From pinhookers seeking a shorter turnaround to buyers looking to get horses going a year earlier, we recognise the changing market trends so believe this move to be in line with the broader industry's aspirations and initiatives such as Horse Racing Ireland's introduction of three-year-old National Hunt Academy Hurdle races next year.”
He added, “Goffs is extremely ambitious for Arkle 2025 and remains committed to building on the factors that have made it the first choice for elite stores. Our inspection team, led by Gerry Hogan, Neil Walsh, Peter Molony, Kevin Ross and Harry Fowler, will start the New Year in search of the best three-year-olds available, whilst also hand picking a small but quality selection of two-year-olds to ensure that every buyer finds the horse they are looking for at Goffs.
“It should be remembered that this is not an entirely new concept as two-year-old stores have previously featured at our Doncaster Spring Store Sale including when a son of Dalakhani topped the sale in 2014.”
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