The seventh edition of the Goffs Aintree Sale was topped by Monksgrange debut point-to-point winner He Can't Dance (Ire) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}) (lot 17) who caught the eye of Gordon Elliott for £300,000 on Thursday.
Consigned by Rob James Racing, the striking grey counts Fairy Tale (Fr) (Spanish Moon) as his dam, herself a half-sister to three black-type winners over jumps including the eight-time Grade 1 winner Master Minded (Fr) (Nikos {GB}).
JP McGrath Bloodstock signed for lot 23, Holloway Queen (Ire), also by Jukebox Jury (Ire). The £180,000 4-year-old filly was part of the Ballyboy Stables draft. Second in her first start, a point-to-point at Mongsgrange, she is a relative of G2 Kelso Novices' Hurdle winner Bywell Beau (Ire) (Lord Americo {Ire}).
Jonathan Fogarty Racing's first-out winner Flamingo Grove (Ire) (Blue Bresil {Fr}) (lot 5) was knocked down for £150,000 to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock and Jonjo O'Neill. She is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Pistol Whipped (Ire) (Beneficial {GB}).
Of the 28 catalogued, 26 were offered and 23 (88%) marked as sold for a gross of £2,075,000. The average was £90,218 and the median reached £75,000.
Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent, “It is always a highlight to be here at Aintree and it's been a pleasure to watch this sale become a part of the iconic Randox Grand National Festival since its launch in 2016. Today's sale had plenty of highlights, including a top price of £300,000, but the results also reflect a difficult few weeks for us and our vendors.
“The inclement weather has meant a large number of point-to-point meetings have been postponed or cancelled so it has been very difficult to compile a catalogue to meet the high expectations for which this sale has become renowned. That being said, we exist to provide a stage from which vendors can sell their stock and we are grateful to everyone who have supported the sale this year. The Aintree Sale has a wonderful record of producing high-class racehorses, as evidenced by the five Grade 1 winners coming from the first five-sales, and we are confident that more will emerge from this year's offering.
“As ever, we would also like to extend our gratitude to the Aintree executive for their help and enthusiasm towards this fantastic event and we look forward to our return at next year's Grand National Festival.”
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