Orby Eclipses All Expectations As Kodiac Colt Shines

By Brian Sheerin and Emma Berry

KILDARE, Ireland–Henry Beeby revealed that the figures recorded at this year's Orby Sale far exceeded his greatest expectations as, less than 24 hours after seeing the most expensive yearling offered at public auction in the States and Europe so far this year walk through the ring, the world-famous sales house recorded a whopping 24% rise in turnover with over €50 million traded in two days.

Of the 231 yearlings offered on day two, 199 were sold for a total of €23,192,500, which represented an 11% rise on last year's figures. The average on day two was also up 0.9% to €116,646 while the median was the same as last year on €80,000.

But it was the overall figures that garnered the greatest recognition with an impressive 89% clearance rate equating to €50,374,500 traded in the ring. That overall average climbed 11% to €121,384 while the median was a record €87,000, up 16% on last year.

Beeby was suitably impressed and said, “The expectation coming into the Orby Sale was that we would enjoy a strong trade following good results elsewhere and so we were hopeful of some improved statistics. However nothing could have prepared us for the strength of the market and the vibrancy of the sale especially on day one which saw the world's highest priced yearling so far this autumn at €2.6 million.

“The stunning sister to Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never) headed a truly electric trade that resulted from wonderful support from Irish breeders who responded to our strong sale of recovery last year by significantly increasing their support, hence a catalogue that grew by 15%. To return such improved numbers for average and median is particularly noteworthy given those increased numbers as is a clearance rate of 89% which compares very favourably.”

He added, “Every buyer has made their mark but it has been wonderful to welcome such a big group of American buyers to Kildare Paddocks, several of whom are making their first trip to a European yearling sale. This followed a concerted drive by our Buyer Recruitment Team working in tandem with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and we are most grateful to ITM for their enthusiasm and hard work as we work together to promote the Irish National Yearling Sale to a global audience.”

Repeat Business The Best Business

There can be no greater compliment in this game than repeat business and, a year after purchasing Magical Sunset (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) from Alice Fitzgerald, Peter and Ross Doyle returned to one of the shrewdest vendors on the circuit to secure the full-brother (lot 460) for €575,000.

Magical Sunset took the notable scalp of subsequent 'TDN Rising Star' and G2 Mill Reef S. hero Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) on debut and ran a creditable fourth in the Goffs Million at the Curragh last week.

She is owned by Amo Racing, who the Doyles secured a Prince Of Lir (Ire) half-brother to Oscula (Ire) (Galileo Gold {Ire}) on behalf of for €300,000 on the same afternoon.

However, the Kodiac colt, produced by Fitzgerald and her partner Michael Doyle in excellent shape for the Orby, was purchased on behalf of Stall Perlen and will be trained by Richard Hannon.

Fizgerald said, “We're over the moon; couldn't be happier. Goffs has always been a very lucky place for us, that's why we brought him here, and Kodiac has been a very lucky stallion for us.

“I hope he's good for his new owners and best of luck to them. We loved him so we were very excited coming up here but you never really know. But he was going down very well and showed like a dream from the start.

“There's been a great buzz about the place. We thought we were in a pretty good spot but it's still kind of nerve-wracking.”

She added, “Selling well is one thing but the most important thing is that they go on. We want to sell racehorses, and we have the mare and two of his sisters, so it's very important that he performs on the track.”

The Kodiac colt has been provided with a decent chance of fulfilling his potential as a racehorse with Ross Doyle confirming his pick of the sale to be joining Hannon.

Doyle said, “We thought he was an absolute standout over the two days. His full-sister [Magical Sunset] is very talented–we bought her here last year.

“He comes from a very good home and never turned a hair every time I went down to see him. He's a very natural looking horse by a sire we've had a lot of luck with.

“He's for Stall Perlen. They've been very good long-term clients and he's going to go to Richard Hannon. They had a very good Gone West horse with Richard Hannon, Sr. a good few years back called West Order and they have a very nice unraced Camelot (GB) filly in training this year. Fingers crossed.”

On the trade in general and picking up Oscula's half-brother, he added, “It's a very strong trade with some lovely horses. Goffs have done a wonderful job again. It's been consistent with all the sales around the world so far this year.

“There is a huge appetite for horses which is great to see. We're very lucky that people are putting their faith in us to find them some very nice horses.

“The Prince Of Lir has gone back to Robson [Aguiar]. He's a smashing big horse and is obviously a half-brother to Oscula who is tough as nails. Robson and Kia [Joorabchian] will make their minds up about what they want to do.”

Patience Pays Off For West

After missing out on the queen of the Orby Sale, Blackbeard's (Ire) little sister who sold for €2.6million on Tuesday, top American agent Jacob West was rewarded for his patience when snaring lot 505, a Ten Sovereigns (Ire) colt, for €500,000 late on Wednesday.

The colt was purchased on behalf of Robert and Lawana Low from Pier House Stud and, according to West, who is also the American representative for Goffs, will be trained by Todd Pletcher.

West said, “He'll go back to America and will be trained by Todd Pletcher for Robert and Lawana Low. Ten Sovereigns was an incredibly fast horse, a son of No Nay Never who is a son of Scat Daddy.

“Todd trained Scat Daddy so he has a relationship with that sire line. We had a lot of appreciation for No Nay Never when he was racing. This horse is incredibly good-looking.”

He added, “Mr and Mrs Low took a big swing on the sister to Blackbeard on Tuesday. Unfortunately we didn't get her but I told them that this colt was selling late in the day and that he was probably going to be expensive. Luckily we were able to get him.”

Despite drawing a blank on Tuesday, West enjoyed quite a fruitful end to the sale on Wednesday, and also picked up a Zoffany (Ire) colt (lot 271) from Marlhill House Stud for €110,000.

He said, “I am the US representative for Goffs so I tell everybody that this is an incredible place to buy a good horse for a solid number. You are never going to over-pay for a horse that won't make your standards. You find value here and the horses are raised the right way by the breeders.

He added, “They bring the right horses and it seems as though they get rewarded so it's a win for everybody. Last year, we were up against it a little bit with the exchange rate but I think it's been in our favour this year. A good horse is always going to bring in a lot of money but, when it [the exchange rate] is equal, it does make life a lot easier, that's for sure.”

Americans Make Merry at the Orby

Hugo Merry was another man who concurred that the strength of the dollar provided American buyers with that extra impetus at Goffs this week after he secured lot 311, the Loughtown Stud-drafted Sea The Stars (Ire) filly out of black-type performer Zvarkhova (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) for €460,000.

The filly was bought on behalf of Andrew Rosen, Gainesway and LNJ Foxwoods, all of whom have been increasingly active in the European market in recent times.

Rosen is the part-owner of last week's G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) while LNJ Foxwoods snapped up the top lot at the BBAG Yearling Sale, a €450,000 Kingman (GB) colt out of the German Oaks runner-up Sarandia (Ger) (Dansili {GB}).

Merry said, “She's for Andrew Rosen, Gainesway and LNJ Foxwoods. We had Mind Out (Tapit) and were very lucky before. They are great friends and everyone seems to be partnering up to make the dollar go a bit further. I rather liked the look of it, it was $440,000 on the board–it's frightening.”

He added, “The Americans are finding it quite good value. She was a lovely, quality filly and there was a nice update in the pedigree.”

La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) provided that update. Things could get even better on Sunday with the Yann and Carlos Lerner-trained filly, who is out of the second dam, Varsity (GB) (Lomitas {GB}), set to tackle the G1 Prix de l'Opera.

Loughtown's Paddy Burns said everything came together nicely for their filly to achieve the price she did.

Burns said, “We thought we'd a lovely filly but you are never quite expecting a result like that. We're absolutely delighted. When you are breeding, it's very hard for the stars to align like that, and we're very happy that it all came together.”

Burns, whose father Seamus bred and sold New Approach (Ire), praised Goffs for attracting a strong buyers' bench, leading to the excellent result in the ring.

He added, “We've been lucky here before. My family were lucky enough to breed and sell New Approach here. It proves that, if you bring the article here, Goffs will have the clients for them.”

Brother To Saffron Beach Shines

There have been few more likeable fillies to grace the track in recent seasons than Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), the dual Group 1-winning star who has netted her connections close to a million pounds, and her little brother proved suitably popular with Amanda Skiffington the successful bidder at €450,000.

Consigned by Ballylinch Stud, lot 453 was purchased on behalf of Fiona Carmichael, and will be trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, the woman who has managed the brilliant career of Saffron Beach.

Skiffington has enjoyed a productive trip to Ireland, picking up a Night Of Thunder colt (lot 102) from Baroda Stud and a Churchill filly (lot 104) from Jimmy and Mary Mangan's Conna Stud on Tuesday, and the brother to Saffron Beach took her total spend to €900,000.

She said, “He's very like Saffron Beach and will be trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam for Fiona Carmichael. He is very athletic–so like his sister. Fingers crossed.”

Saffron Beach won six of her 12 starts, including last season's G1 Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket and the G1 Prix Rothschild back in August.

She is set to light up the December Mares Sale at Newmarket after it was announced that connections will offer the 4-year-old, who was last seen finishing a gallant second in the G1 Matron S. at Leopardstown, under the hammer later this year.

Casse Keeps It In The Family

Justin Casse was in playful humour after signing for lot 351, a Galileo (Ire) colt out of Belesta (GB) (Xaar {GB}), whose new connections couldn't be named.

The popular American agent secured the colt from Marlhill House Stud for €450,000, but couldn't reveal plans beyond that.

“Don't know where the horse is going and can't tell you who it's for,” he said. “[The] sale seems very strong and clearance rate is good–money for horses at all levels. Goffs is super hospitable.”

Casse has history with the family. It was at the Orby Sale in 2017 that he signed for the half-brother Old Glory (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) on behalf of Zayat Stables for €1.6 million, with that colt winning once and achieving black-type in eight starts for Aidan O'Brien.

Indeed, that was not the only time the progeny of Belesta made headlines in the ring, as 12 months ago leading American trainer Kenny McPeek paid €900,000 for a full-brother to Old Glory. That colt has yet to race.

Casse said, “I am familiar with the family. I bought the Frankel out of the mare for the Zayats and he was a talented individual. Kenny McPeek bought the yearling last year. Ticks all the boxes!”

Dance Saves Best Bid Until Last

Late in the session a Sea The Stars (Ire) half-brother to Grade I winner Blond Me (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) saw a bidding tussle between Maria Ryan and Mark McStay end in favour of Ryan, the racing operations manager for John and Jess Dance's Manor House Farm, at €425,000.

The Dances, along with Ryan and their trainer James Horton have been active throughout the season, and particularly busy at Goffs where they bought 12 yearlings for €1,995,000.

“It's been a really exciting time,” said Ryan. “John just sent a text and said that we have just successfully bid the most expensive horse we have ever bought. So very good luck to them. She will go to Mark Dwyer's for breaking and then come to us in Middleham.

“It has been a wonderful season. James said at the start he'd like to have 15 winners–we've got 32 horses and most of them are 2-year-olds, so to have 14 now and a listed winner is absolutely brilliant.”

Lot 493 was bred by Wardstown Stud and Sunderland Holdings from the Docksider mare Holda (Ire), a half-sister to the Australian Group 1 winner Glass Harmonium (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}) and to the dual Group 3 winner Arab Spring (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}). She was pinhooked as a foal for €270,000 by Camas Park Stud.

Freshman Swagger

With a swathe of sires represented by their first yearlings this season, the popularity of these untested stallions remains intense. Near the top of the table on Wednesday could be found a daughter of Darley's crack sprinter Blue Point (Ire) who was bought by MV Magnier for €420,000 from the Mahon family's Mountain View Stud.

Bred by Tess Mahon, lot 345 is out of the four-time winner Badr Al Badoor (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), a half-sister to another of the Darley stallions in Profitable (Ire), and who has made a highly promising start to her broodmare career with three winners from her three runners, including the listed winner Archer's Dream (Ire) (Dream Ahead).

With 12 yearlings offered during the Orby, Blue Point's average across the two days was €156,000 from an opening stud fee of €45,000.

Advertise (GB), who is leaving the National Stud along with Aclaim (Ire) to stand at Manton Park Stud in Wiltshire, was also up among the leaders on a days when fillies were in strong demand. Lot 275, bred and consigned by Rathbarry Stud, is the first foal of the 3-year-old winner Treeline (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), who was bought for 105,000gns at the Tattersalls December Sale when carrying this filly. Since then, the mare has been bred to the Rathbarry stalwart Acclamation (GB) and has produced another filly.

The Irish National Stud's Classic winner Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) is another with first-crop yearlings for sale, and his entry at the Orby was led by lot 266, another picked up by an American agent. Ben McElroy, who has signed for three yearlings over the two days, returned to a successful formula when going to €200,000 for Pier House Stud's filly out of Thames Pageant (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who is a half-sister to previous McElroy Orby purchase Twilight Gleaming (Ire) (National Defense {Ire}), the winner of last season's GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint for Wesley Ward.

The page has also been enhanced in recent seasons by The Queen's G3 Solario S. winner Reach For The Moon (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who is a half-brother to Thames Pageant. Second dam Golden Stream (Ire) and third dam Phantom Gold (GB), were both black-type winners in the royal colours.

Tally-Ho Stud's Inns Of Court (Ire) has just two lots go through the ring, but one was the half-brother to Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Persian Force (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). Offered as lot 286 by the Tally-Ho team, which pinhooked him last year for €80,000, he sold for €170,000 and it was no surprise to see the name Amo Racing in the buyer's slot. The sole Inns Of Court filly in the sale, a half-sister to another smart 2-year-old in Acklam Express (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), sold for €80,000 to Jamie Piggott and Acklam Express's trainer Nigel Tinkler.

Lanwades resident Study Of Man (Ire) had just three of his first crop offered at the Orby, with all sold for an average of €88,667. The trio was led by the son of Group 3 winner Starlit Sands (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who was bought by the partnership of Qatar Racing and China Horse Club for €185,000 during Tuesday's session.

The Study Of Man half-brother to this year's Derby winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who was set to sell next week at Tattersalls October Book 1, has been withdrawn from the sale.

Better The Devil

As has already been referenced, the American participation has been a notable factor at Goffs this week, and Dan Hayden, acting on behalf of Marc Holliday's Blue Devil Racing Stable, struck early in the day to secure another offspring of a first-season sire, a filly by Advertise (GB) (lot 275) at €300,000.

New York-based Holliday is already represented as an owner in Ireland by a 3-year-old gelding named Selador (Ire) with Joseph O'Brien, and this filly will follow that same route, going into training at Owning Hill. Previous O'Brien trainee Messidor (Ire) (Vadamos {GB}), a dual winner at Dundalk, has now migrated Stateside to the stable of Christophe Clement.

“I've been coming over the last few years for Marc,” Hayden said. “He likes the programme of buying one or two yearlings each year and sending them down to Joseph–he loves the programme down there.

“We always then have an eye to America as well if one is shaping up as if she might suit over there. Messidor was bought here and has won three races over in America.”

He continued, “Marc loves to breed as well so he is looking for quality fillies who could enter the broodmare band, but he is a sportsman and loves racing anywhere and loves to take part in both jurisdictions.

“The Advertise filly is a big, powerful individual, and I loved the filly we bought yesterday, a lovely Invincible Spirit filly out of a Tiz Wonderful mare–that Tiznow line we like in the US as a broodmare sire. The mare has already thrown a Grade II winner so she looks good and the yearling was a really athletic filly who will also go to Joseph.”

The aforementioned Invincible Spirit (Ire) filly, a half-sister to graded stakes winner California Angel (California Chrome), was consigned by the Irish National Stud as lot 200 and was sold for €180,000.

Advertise has stood at £25,000 since retiring to stud and his Goffs average was over three times that amount at €89,750 for eight sold.

Among a large cohort of Americans in town for the sale was owner Mike O'Neill, a relative newcomer to the sport in general and at the Orby Sale for the first time.

“I got into horseracing about 18 months to two years ago,” he explained. “I have some friends and clients who are Kentucky-based and were trying to get me into it. I'm from Chicago and didn't know much [about racing] but I bought in on a filly and a colt and we had some success with [Aqueduct winner] Fromanothamutha, who is with Ray Handal.

“I bought him with Jason Taylor and Diamond T Racing, and we bought seven more yearlings last September at Keeneland.”

With horses spread among a range of trainers including  Steve Asmussen and Brad Cox, O'Neill has been well and truly bitten by the bug, and decided to spread his wings beyond his home country.

O'Neill continued, “Jason Taylor and David Ingordo were coming over here and I made friends with Bo Bromagen and Ramiro Restrepo and they said I should talk to Charlie O'Neill [of ITM] and get on the flight over to Ireland as they thought there would be good value. We're also going to check out Newmarket and see what happens there but this has been a great sale, and it's beautiful here. More Americans need to come out here to see how great this place this is.”

O'Neill will be involved in three yearlings bough by Taylor on Tuesday–two colts by No Nay Never for €280,000 (lot 154) and €120,000 (lot 52), and a first-crop daughter of Magna Grecia (Ire) (lot 159) picked up for €200,000.

Starspangledbanner In Lights

The good results kept on coming for Flash Conroy's Glenvale Stud. Less than 24 hours after supplying the 2022 Orby Sale topper, Conroy produced an excellent pinhook in lot 347, a Starspangledbanner (Aus) filly that Glenvale picked up as a foal for €82,000 before selling on Wednesday for a tidy profit when the hammer fell at €330,000.

Out of the unraced Dansili (GB) mare Balakera (Ire), the Starspangledbanner filly boasts a strong Aga Khan damline, being from the family of G3 1000 Guineas Trial winner Baliyana (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and many more black-type and group performers.

She was picked up at the November Foal Sale at Goffs from Ryebridge Stud last year and Wednesday's sale to Olivia Perkins Mackey represented one of the best pinhooks of the entire session.

It wasn't the only good result for Starspangledbanner, either. Earlier on in the afternoon, lot 299, another filly by the stallion, changed hands from Gormanstown Stud to BBA Ireland for a cool €325,000.

Out of the late Lady Rothschild's Willoughby (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who was herself sold from the recent Waddesdon Stud Dispersal for 310,000gns, the filly is a half-sister to two winners, including the Ed Walker-trained listed winner Glenartney (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}).

Those fillies were the headline-grabbers on what proved to be another rock-solid sale for Starspangledbanner with all 10 of the yearlings offered by the former speedster selling for an aggregate of €1,495,000 at an average of €149,500.