Cimeara Tops Champions Sale

[Wandering Eyes]

Cimeara (Ire) (Vocalised) (lot 4), twice a stakes winner this year for Jim Bolger, was the top-priced lot at Goffs’s boutique Champions Sale on Saturday when knocked down to Sun Bloodstock for €500,000. The 3-year-old filly, who comes from the extended family of champion mare Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), won on debut last year and has this year taken three of her five starts, including the G3 Stanterra S. on July 12 and the Listed Vinnie Roe S. two weeks later (the latter in a deadheat with Sizzling {Ire} {Galileo {Ire}}). Sun Bloodstock is based in Australia but its European holdings include the French champion 2-year-old and current Irish National Stud stallion National Defense (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

A pair of juveniles from the Michael O’Callaghan Stable brought the next two highest prices. Angelic Light (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) (lot 2) broke her maiden at second asking by 5 1/2 lengths at The Curragh on Aug. 31, and she caught the eye of BAA, which signed the ticket at €330,000. Her stablemate Carbon Fibre (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) (lot 5) appears to be headed to Hong Kong after George Moore signed for him at €250,000. The colt is still a maiden after two starts but that includes a second to ‘TDN Rising Star’ and G3 Round Tower S. winner Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never) on Aug. 25.

Both Angelic Light and Carbon Fibre handed O’Callaghan a good return on investment from the Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale in May. Angelic Light was a €56,000 purchase there, while Carbon Fibre was bought for €75,000.

Also breaking the six-figure barrier was the 3-year-old gelding Shatharaat (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (lot 9), who was picked up by BBA Ireland for €120,000 after breaking his maiden at second asking just five days ago. Shatharaat had been a £150,000 purchase by Shadwell at Goffs UK’s Doncaster Premier yearling sale two years ago, but was offloaded by that operation at this year’s Tattersall’s Guineas Horses-In-Training Sale just weeks after finishing a long last on debut for trainer Mark Johnston. Trainer Andy Oliver scooped him up for just 1,200gns on that occasion and therefore enjoyed a very smart turnaround here.

All told, eight of the nine lots catalogued went through the ring before racing at Leopardstown on Saturday, with six changing hands for a total of €1,312,000. The average was €218,667, and the median €185,000.

“A new record price of €500,000 and sales to both Australia and Hong Kong as well as the National Hunt fraternity demonstrate the international and diverse appeal of the Goffs Champions Sale,” said Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby. “We are delighted with the results and grateful for the support from both vendors and purchasers.”

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