Trainer Paul Nicholls and bloodstock agent Tom Malone flexed their muscles at the newly-branded Goffs Arkle Sale on Tuesday by signing for three lots to the tune of €410,000, including the €160,000 day one topper, a Beaumec De Houelle (Fr) gelding already named Zamek (Fr) consigned by Mark Dwyer's Oaks Farm Stables.
That was the highest average posted by any buyer on day one, however, it was the point-to-point outfit Monbeg Stables who posted the highest aggregate spend by signing for 15 lots to the tune of €784,000.
Of the 224 horses offered at Goffs on day one, 204 were sold for an aggregate of €10,862,500, representing a €53,248 average.
Zamek was picked up as a two-year-old from Precolette at the mixed sale at Arqana last July for €70,000. Out of the Sinndar (Ire) mare Zanatiya (Fr), the gelding is a half-brother to the classy jumps performer Zarisk (Fr) (No Risk At All {Fr}).
Beaumec De Houelle is a son of Martaline and fittingly stands at Haras de Montaigu for €6,000. A Grade 1-winning hurdler himself, his first crop are just three years' old.
On the day one headline act, Nicholls commented, “He is a lovely, sharp horse and we're delighted to get him. He actually reminds me a lot of Call Equiname, who was a similarly lovely-looking grey horse. Hopefully he can be as good as him.”
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