Progeny Of “Exceptional” Sands Of Mali Dominates On Final Day Of Goffs Foal Sale

[Wandering Eyes]

There can be few forces more unstoppable than a stallion on fire and Yeomanstown Stud's recent purchase Sands Of Mali ensured that the warm glow that burned bright in the sales ring throughout this year's Goffs November Foal Sale remained ablaze until the bitter end on Thursday. 

Sands Of Mali was responsible for two of the most expensive lots – a filly and a colt at €100,000 and €90,000 respectively – on a day when the turnover climbed by 24%, the average by 17% and the median by 27%. Such rises cemented what many of the top buyers have agreed has been one of the most memorable editions of the November Foal Sale at Goffs. 

That is saying something as this year's trade had a remarkably tough act to follow on from what played out here in 2024. But the figures don't lie; of the 861 foals that were offered throughout the week, 707 were sold at an 82% clearance rate. That represents a 5% rise. The €34,160,500 turnover represented a 5% rise on last year, despite the fact more horses went through the ring [17] 12 months ago, while the average was basically the same at €48,318 and the median fell by 7% to €26,000.

In a nutshell, the appetite for horses was through the roof. And, if you happened to have a Sands Of Mali, all the better, as buyers clambered for the progeny of the Group 1 producer. Not only was Sands Of Mali responsible for the top two lots on Thursday, but he ended the sale with a respectable €39,572 average for 14 lots sold. Pound for pound, that's a good performance.

Top of that list was the Galbertstown Stables-consigned filly by the stallion who went the way to Finbar Kent for €100,000.

He said, “Bought a lovely Sands Of Mali filly out of Almarada, who was bred by Tony Cosgrave. I thought she was the class act of the day. I bought the brother [Almarada Prince] at the Donny breeze-ups and he turned out to be quite a good horse. We also bought a Phoenix Of Spain colt out of the same mare a couple of years ago as well.”

He added, “This is a lovely filly and it was a real upgrade for the mare going to Sands Of Mali. He's an exceptional stallion and Joe Foley did a brilliant job with him down in Ballyhane Stud. I am sure he is going to go from strength to strength at Yeomanstown Stud. I actually think that they were the underbidders. He's just a very, very good influence. I suppose we bought the last two a little bit cheaper but, when the mare gets an upgrade like that, maybe there is a little upgrade on price as well.”

Yeomanstown Stud signed for the €90,000 colt that was consigned by Ennell Lodge Stud. Speaking after the hammer fell, Rob O'Callaghan said, “We underbid the filly this morning that Finbar bought so we were very keen to get this one – it would've been hard to leave without him. These good foals, especially with the way this week has gone, you have to go above and beyond to get them.”

He added, “The stallion is really on an upward trajectory and there's been a great buzz about him here this week – we've had so many people coming up to us who want to use him next year. I think that's shown in how his foals have sold this week. 

“We've had a couple of Sands Of Malis before. We've always followed him and we actually came close to buying him originally, so we've followed him all along. We have a nice homebred by him at home and we wanted to have a couple more to sell next year to help advertise the horse. We're very happy with the horse we bought on Monday and we're delighted with this horse now, they're two cracking colts. I'm delighted with how his stock have gone this week. They've gone to great homes like Finbar Kent, Jimmy Murphy, Peter Vaughan and Jamie Railton, so good judges.”

The sun sets on the Goffs November Foal Sale on Thursday | Goffs

From Philipp Stauffenberg paying €650,000 for the top lot of the week, a New Bay half-sister to Dreamloper, Ethical Diamond's brother selling for €380,000 and the performance of many young stallions, there were many fascinating strands to this sale. And Goffs chief Henry Beeby was rightly pleased.

He commented, “'There's no sale on earth like Goffs Foal Sale.' So said Luke Lillingston, vendor of the top foal this week and it's a sentiment that we certainly wouldn't challenge although it is a view that would be shared by many others after four days of sustained demand at all levels. Rarely have I auctioned in a more vibrant atmosphere – especially on Wednesday – and we can only thank both our vendors for entrusting us with the cream of the Irish foal crop together with the array of purchasers for the confidence they continue to show in Goffs November. From single-lot buyers on a day out from school to the dynastic families that are the backbone of the industry to elite international buyers, Kildare Paddocks has been a hive of activity from the weekend with the yards rammed each day and vendors reporting record-breaking numbers of shows for their youngsters.

“Another quote that is often relevant but that we would challenge on this occasion is “you're only as good as your last sale” as the median price is just short of 12 months ago although the clearance rate is up and the average has held steady. Normally, that would cause a degree of angst, but not this time as we have effectively matched the unprecedented levels that we reached in 2024 when the sale grew by a gargantuan amount, especially at the top when the Wednesday average and median both jumped by over 60%. So, there will be no postmortem and regret but only thanks and celebration after a sale that truly leads the market as we confirmed its status with a trade that was consistent, vibrant and, at times, frenzied, to return a level of activity that some thought impossible this time last week.”

He added, “That said, we are not surprised as Goffs Orby broke records and set the scene for another good renewal and we knew we had been sent the lion's share of the best in the country. And as we have said so often, we are nothing without the horses, although we have once again proved our mantra that Goffs will deliver, and then some, when we are given the opportunities. That has all come together so well over the last four days.

“Finally, I want to pay tribute to the amazing horsemen and women. The dedication and care that we see day in day out from all those who present foals is inspiring every time a foal is shown. These youngsters are out of their comfort zone for the first time in their short lives but are obviously reassured by the care and understanding that is exhibited each time they are pulled out. As I mentioned, it's been unbelievably busy, but through the downpours of the weekend to the arctic temperatures today, every handler has shown their charges with positivity, tenderness and efficiency that has made the job at hand even more enjoyable than ever. We salute and thank them all.”

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