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| Staff Writer |
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On Tuesday, the Goffs Orby Book 1 sale began with a strong showing from an international group of buyers who spent a total of US$2,56,35,821 on top-quality yearlings. The average price was US$1,18,716 and the median was US$89,742 with a clearance rate of 85%.
Lot 48, the Sea The Stars half-sister to State Of Rest and Tranquil Lady, was sold to Carriganog Racing for US$7,91,878 by Joseph O'Brien.
“She’s a real quality filly by one of the best sires in the world out of a mare who has already produced a stallion and a top-class filly,” he said. “I’m really excited to have her as a racing prospect, and then of course she’ll maksse an excellent breeding prospect in the longer term.
“That was about what we expected to pay for her; she had the pedigree and the looks, so we knew she’d be a big seller. She’ll run for an existing client, one who is already a breeder.”
Lot 32 was secured by Godolphin at the Goffs Orby Sale. The purchase is a Frankel full-brother to Fivethousandtoone and half-brother to Salimah. The sire comes from Dark Angel, a Listed-winning daughter of Yeomanstown Stud. Anthony Stroud signed the docket for US$6,59,941 and stated that Charlie Appleby, David Loder, and himself were all impressed by the horse's solid family background and excellent farm. They were thrilled to acquire the horse within their valuation.
“He’s a smooth mover and a neat, attractive horse, so I would have thought he’d be reasonably forward. We’re delighted to be here and to be looking at some nice, well-bred horses.”
Al Shira’aa Farms made two notable purchases at today’s Goffs Orby Sale. The first was a half-sister to Grand Prix de Paris winner Onesto by American Pharoah, bought from Whitehall Stud for US$2,64,056.25 (Lot 2). The second purchase was a Wootton Bassett filly out of Pavlenko, the Listed-placed full-sister to Saxon Warrior, bought from WH Bloodstock for 2,11,245.00 (Lot 12). Godolphin also made purchases at the auction, including a Dubawi colt and a Teofilo full-sister to Listed winner Eternal Hope.
“It’s a similar equation to Jannah Rose,” said Lalor. “We’re looking for top-class proven sires, deep pedigrees and good physicals.
“The first filly was an elegant, super-smooth walking daughter of American Pharoah, a stallion we love who works very well in Europe. The family traces back to Hasili, one of the best broodmares in the stud book. We were underbidder on the Gleneagles half-sister to Onesto last year so we’re delighted to get this one.
“The second filly is by Wootton Bassett, a stallion on the up and up, and I’m sure his career is going to skyrocket before long, especially with the support he’s getting from Coolmore. She’s out of a full-sister to Saxon Warrior, another very good stallion we use. She’s a little immature and will likely need plenty of time, but we can give that to her.”
Lalor chuckled when asked if Al Shira’aa Farms was trying for the catalogue cover again. Norwegian businessman Magne Jordanger was thrilled to acquire a Swedish St Leger winner and a Showcasing colt at the Goffs Orby Sale.
Both lots will be trained by Richard Hannon, who is held in high regard as he trained Odin Legacy, a son of Kodiac bought by Jordanger at last year’s sale, which finished a promising third. No Nay Never’s stock remains popular at the Orby, as evidenced by Avenue Bloodstock’s Mark McStay paying US$4,22,4461 for a filly out of the Listed-placed Mizzen Mast mare Ultrasonic, from the family of Enable.
The Goffs Orby Sale is a competitive event, with many lovely horses on offer. Rathbarry Stud was fortunate to have Orne, an Acclamation full-brother, run out a convincing winner on debut for John and Thady Gosden at Kempton last Friday, which helped to increase demand for the colt.
The sale of a Wootton Bassett colt bred by the Niarchos family out of their Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Albigna gave an early glimpse of the fireworks that will come when a large consignment of the Niarchos family's blue-chip broodmares go under the hammer at the Goffs November Sale later this year.