‘There’s Definitely A Space For It’ – Goffs Breeze-Up Sale Off To Encouraging Start

[Wandering Eyes]

Breeze-up handlers were unanimous in their agreement that the Goffs Classic Breeze-Up Sale has a place in the calendar after a Starspangledbanner colt headlined the first ever edition on Saturday evening at €330,000. 

It was Roderic Kavanagh of Glending Stables, best known for producing multiple Group 1 winner Vandeek, who consigned the top lot at the new Classic Breeze-Up Sale. Ghislain Bozo of Meridian Bloodstock, bidding through Goffs marketing director Joey Cullen, who saw off the attention of bloodstock agent Jason Kelly.

A delighted Kavanagh said, “Look, we were all a bit nervous about this sale. Even after the times came out and we saw we breezed well, we were still a small bit sceptical. I suppose it was a long and drawn out process with the breezing taking place at Naas on Monday and only selling today. But if we had the amount of shows that we had in the last 48 hours, we would have felt we were going okay. I didn't see this coming, though, and it's amazing what can happen in a live ring when two people like a horse.”

Kavanagh added, “I definitely think there's something here. This sale can be tweaked and it can be built on. Definitely, I think there's a space for it. But look, if you bring a decent horse to any sale, there's always going to be a market for it. I am sure Goffs will look at it and refine it.”

The Starspangledbanner colt was the headline act of what must go down as a pretty respectable debut effort from Goffs that saw 36 of the 46 horses offered find buyers at a clearance rate of 78%. The turnover hit €2,507,000, the average settled at €69,639 while the median was €51,000.

The first lot through the ring, a Hello Youmzain colt consigned by Katie Walsh of Greenhills Farm, hinted at what might be in store when selling to Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock for €185,000. 

Walsh said, “A lovely horse. Originally, he was brought to Arqana in May and he got a setback over there, so we didn't actually breeze him. It was nice to have the opportunity to come back here. I have had plenty of success with Mark. He's been very lucky for me, as I have been for him. Hopefully this fella will go on. He is a gorgeous colt and by a sire who is very much on fire at the moment. He was always a very straightforward colt.”

She added, “There seems to be a place for the sale. I can only give a positive feeling at this moment in time.”

Fellow breeze-up handler Cormac Farrell agreed with Walsh. After selling his Sea The Stars filly – also to McStay – for €160,000, he described himself as a fan of the idea of the new sale. However, he said there would need to be changes made for the sale to thrive and become a destination sale for handlers going forward. 

Farrell commented, “I bought her at the Orby for €75,000 and I was delighted to get her. I'm even more delighted to get her sold to very good connections and I hope she's very lucky for them. I think she's going to Joseph O'Brien.”

He added, “The sale is a good concept but it needs to be tweaked a little bit. It has a future, perhaps. The drawn out nature of the whole thing does not suit anybody, I don't think. We're possibly a little bit late in the calendar as well. For the first edition, it has been very positive and I am sure Goffs will refine it and build on it.”

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