Tag: BBA Ireland

Tributes Flow For Former Goffs Managing Director Jonathan Irwin Who Dies Aged 82

Goffs has paid tribute to its former managing director Jonathan Irwin, one of the most influential people in the history of the sales house, who died aged 82 on Sunday.

Irwin joined Goffs in 1975 and oversaw the construction of the world's first purpose-built bloodstock sales complex in Kill, County Kildare.

He was also appointed CEO of the Dublin International Sports Council (DISC) in 1993 and established the Jack and Jill Foundation along with his wife Mary Ann after the birth of their son Jack.

Since 1997, the foundation has supported 1600 families throughout Ireland. It has raised €36 million from the private sector while receiving €4.5 million from the Irish health service. Awards received include Charity of the Year 2003, Irish Personality of the Year 2004, Irish Fundraiser of 2011 and Global Fundraiser of 2011.

A statement published by Goffs on Sunday read, “Everyone at Goffs was saddened to learn of the death of the former Managing Director, Jonathan Irwin.

“Jonathan was appointed Managing Director of Robert J Goff & Co plc in 1975 at the age of just 33 and oversaw an amazing period for the company over the next 15 years, not least the construction of the iconic Kildare Paddocks which remains one of the finest bloodstock sales complexes in the world.”

It continued, “Jonathan was certainly one of the most colourful bloodstock characters of his generation and his legacy lives on in the modern day Goffs. As well as overseeing the design of the complex, he approached the whole business in an innovative and charismatic way. Shouting bid spotters, international guest auctioneers, black tie select sales and the first multi-currency bid board at any auction in the world, an innovation that was almost instantly copied by the likes of Sotheby's and Christie's, were amongst his ideas that have stood the test of time.

“European records were regularly set from the outset with the first sale setting the trend with the IR127,000 Guineas Be My Guest being followed nine years later by a Shergar (GB) colt realising IR3,100,000 Guineas (equivalent to €4.2M today), an Irish auction record that stood for 39 years.”

Goffs chairman Eimar Mulhern and chief executive Henry Beeby also put on record their heartfelt tributes to the man who revolutionised the company.

Mulhern said, “It is with great regret that we hear of the passing of Jonathan Irwin. Jonathan was a titan of the bloodstock industry, transforming and modernising a business which heretofore had been rooted in tradition. He inspired a whole generation, of which I am one, as to a new way to market and promote the business in a truly innovative way. His contribution to Goffs was immense and we are still the beneficiaries of his vision to this day. On behalf of the shareholders and board of Goffs we send our deepest and most sincere sympathy to his wife Mary Anne, his children, his extended family and wide circle of friends.”

Other notable achievements in Irwin's long and distinguished career include being elected a member of the Irish Turf Club in 1976, and launching the Irish Horseman magazine in the 1960s. He was also a director at BBA Ireland.

Beeby commented, “Jonathan was a truly inspirational character who revolutionised the way European thoroughbred auctions were conducted. A true showman, he oozed charisma and I learned a huge amount from him over the years so much so that we still aspire to his lofty standards to this day.”

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Pizza Bianca’s Dam White Hot Surges To Session Lead at Keeneland November

White Hot (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (hip 170), the dam of 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf heroine Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), was knocked down to the BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe for $2.1 million to take the lead at the Keeneland November Sale Wednesday afternoon. The 10-year-old mare, offered by Stone Farm in foal to the all-conquering Into Mischief, comes with a world of pedigree, as she is a half-sister to 2011 G1 Investec Derby hero Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and MGSW/MG1SP Gagnoa (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), the dam of MGSW/MG1SP Ancient Rome (War Front) and Group 3 winner Etoile (War Front). Celebrity chef Bobby Flay purchased White Hot for 1.25 million guineas ($2,122,050) as a yearling at the 2014 Tattersalls October and her yearling colt by Not This Time sold to Lael Stable for $350,000 at this year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Pizza Bianca was bought back on a bid of $3.45 million at Fasig-Tipton November last fall and was one of several high-profile mares purchased by John Stewart Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton.

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Royal Ascot-Placed Filly Hits The High Notes At Tattersalls With 330k Sale

Royal Ascot-placed Balalaika (Ire) (No Nay Never) was the headline act at the July Sale on Thursday when selling to BBA Ireland's Eamonn Reilly for 330,000gns with the agent coming out best in an entertaining tussle for the Rebecca Menzies-trained filly. 

Bred by the late Sir Robert Ogden, Balalaika is out of an unraced Frankel (GB) daughter of G1 Matron S. winner Emulous (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and boasts a rating of 90. 

Also involved in the bidding for the Sandringham third were Gavin Hernon, Matt Coleman, and Mark McStay but Reilly battled off the attention of Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock to land Balalaika.  

“There are no plans, but she will stay in training and although no trainer has been decided on, she will probably stay in the UK,” Reilly said.

“Her last run was very promising and she has been bought as a long-term broodmare prospect for an existing client. She is good-topped filly, has a good walk and behaved very well up here. There is plenty happening with the pedigree.”

Six horses broke the six-figure mark on the day to make it 34 all told at the July Sale this year. Thursday's trade was solid with 147 of the 156 lots offered selling at a 94% clearance rate. The aggregate was 4,445,500gns while the average was 30,241gns.

Duarte Hopes Whisky Turns Out To Be Sweet Investment For Australian Clients

It's fair to say that Whisky On The Hill (GB) (Ribchester {Ire}) did not stand out as a horse who would ever rock into six figures earlier in the spring. 

After three low-key efforts in maidens, Whiskey On The Hill offered his first crackle of potential for trainer Ado McGuinness when finishing third on handicap debut at Cork as an unfancied 33-1 shot. 

He has since been sent off favourite on his next three starts and won every one of them for his owner Alex Zevenbergen, climbing 24lbs in the process.

Armando Duarte was of the opinion that there is more improvement left in the good-looking gelding and went to 135,000gns to secure him on behalf of the same owners of his flagship buy Alenquer (Fr).

The G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner is now plying his trade in Australia for Ballymore Stables and trainer Michael Moroney and Whiskey On The Hill will chart a similar path. 

Duarte said, “He's for the same team of people-Ballymore Stables and Paul Moroney [bloodstock agent]–who bought Alenquer and English King (Fr) (Camelot {GB}). That's the only horse we looked at here at the sales who we liked and who fitted our profile. Let's hope he will be lucky for them now as well.”

He added, “Whiskey On The Hill fits the bill and was not over-expensive. He is very similar to Emissary (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who we bought off Juddmonte a couple of years ago.”

Jasour Team Keep The Party Going At Tattersalls

Just a few hours after Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) stormed to G2 Kingdom Of Bahrain July S. glory a couple of miles up the road on the Newmarket July course, HH Sheikh Sultan's Al Mohamediya Racing made a splash in the sales ring when going to 125,000gns to secure Vega Sicilia (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}).

A smart performer for Harry and Roger Charlton, Vega Sicilia was bought with the aim of competing in the top races in Bahrain for the leading owner in that jurisdiction. 

Vega Sicilia came to the July Sale off the back of winning a Goodwood handicap over 1m4f in the style of a progressive horse. Now rated 91, he boasts a high enough rating to compete in some of the top races in Bahrain.

Ali Majeed, who purchased Vega Sicilia on behalf of Al Mohamediya Racing, said, “We bought this horse because we bought a sprint horse [Edward Cornelius (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB})] and were looking for a Classic horse. We think this horse will be for a-mile-and-a-quarter or a-mile-and-a-half. He will handle fast ground and is rated 86 so he can run in the Bahrain Series directly. He has the rating.”

He added, “Al Mohamediya Racing is the leading owner in Bahrain for two years now and we wanted a Classic horse. There is the Crown Prince and the King Cup if we are happy with him. 

“It's amazing for Al Mohamediya Racing and for every Bahraini. To win with Jasour in a Group 2 at Newmarket in the race sponsored by the Kingdom Of Bahrain was very good. Everybody was very happy and the celebrations were very fun.”

It was a busy week on and off the track for Al Mohamediya Racing. Along with Jasour landing the July S., the owner recorded wins at Windsor and Newcastle and signed for seven horses for 444,000gns.

Another Bound For Bahrain As Donald Takes Home The Parent

The Parent (GB) (Frankel {GB}), was another six-figure lot sold on Thursday when Alastair Donald of Sackville Donald went to 105,000gns to secure the three-year-old on behalf of a Bahraini client. 

A winner of a Goodwood maiden last year, the gelding placed in two of his three starts this term and is rated 81. 

Donald said, “He is for a Bahrain-based client and goes to Bahrain for the Turf series. He was the only horse we wanted. He should be perfect for the series. 

“He is a fast-ground horse, a cracking-looking horse, and he is bred to be good. I am very pleased to get him.”

He added, “I don't think he stayed the trip on his last run and the form of his other runs look very strong. He should do well in Bahrain and will be trained by Alan Smith.”

Tiverton Off To America After 100k Sale

Be it mares or horses-in-training, the Juddmonte draft always commands plenty of interest and the Dermot Weld-trained Tiverton (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}) proved exactly that when selling to Jerry McGrath for 100,000gns. 

“Tiverton is going to the US,” McGrath said. “As a young man I worked for Dermot Weld. I have a few contacts there and they told me how highly this horse was regarded, particularly as a 2-year-old.”

Indeed, Tiverton showed good form as a juvenile, winning a Listowel maiden before being pitched into Group 3 company. He has run just twice this season, finishing down the field in both starts. 

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‘I Wouldn’t Bet Against John Magnier’ – Mare In Foal To Wootton Bassett Heads July Sale

The opening session of the four-day July Sale at Tattersalls revolved around the well-bred mares on offer and Mick Donohoe of BBA Ireland was once again on hand to take home the top lot when going to 350,000gns to secure Galileo (Ire) mare Sweet And Lovely (Ire) for 350,000gns from WH Bloodstock. 

In foal to Wootton Bassett (GB), one of the most exciting sires in Europe, Sweet And Lovely (lot 212) is a full-sister to Aidan O'Brien's Irish and Lancashire Oaks winner Seventh Heaven (Ire). 

The sale marked a memorable week for Violet Hesketh, who along with Mimi Wadham, runs WH Bloodstock, given she wedded Henry Lascelles recently.

Sweet And Lovely hails from the same family as Over The Rainbow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 143), who Coolmara Stables pushed the boat out to secure at 270,000gns earlier in the afternoon, and it was this pedigree that was described as one of the most attractive in the sale by Donohoe. 

The leading buyer of the afternoon said, “To be fair to the lads in Coolmore, they are really banking on the Wootton Bassett cross and I wouldn't bet against John Magnier in making a stallion. We'll see what the foal is like but Wootton Bassett could be on the cards next year.”

Donohoe confirmed the top lot was purchased for an existing client, who operates in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, although couldn't divulge the name. Donohoe, one of the most familiar judges in the business, has bought a series of fillies/mares for Yulong over recent years. He is the operation's bloodstock advisor in Europe.

 

The leading agent was out on his own as the leading buyer on the afternoon with seven lots purchased for a total sum of 1,343,000gns. That included Different Light (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 192), offered by The Castlebridge Consignment at 330,000gns and fellow Galileo mares Evening Hush (Ire) (lot 264) and Divintus (Ire) (lot 145) for 250,000gns and 235,000gns, respectively.

 

Of the 215 lots offered on Tuesday, 188 sold at a 87% clearance rate. The aggregate stood at 7,179,300gns for an average of 38,188gns while the median was 16,000gns.

First Flat Foray For Coolmara With 270k Dubawi Mare

Coolmara Stables is best known for producing top-class National Hunt stock, which was evident at the major store sales in Ireland this spring, but there has been a conscious effort on the farm to branch out on the Flat.

There were few better foundation mares for the County Cork men to target at the July Sale for such a venture than Over The Rainbow (Ire) and they duly delivered. 

The Dubawi (Ire) daughter of Irish and Lancashire Oaks winner Seventh Heaven (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was knocked down to Paul McGrath, the farm manager at Coolmara Stables, for 270,000gns.

McGrath admitted afterwards that such a price was as strong as he was prepared to go for Over The Rainbow, but described himself as thrilled to have secured the well-bred broodmare prospect, who is in foal to St Mark's Basilica (Fr). 

He said, “This is a new division for us-we have been talking about getting a Flat broodmare band together for some time. We decided we'd make a start this week. She was not easily bought and went for a bit more than we thought, but we are delighted to have her.”

Coolmara Stables is home to classy National Hunt broodmares Petite Parisienne, Line Mexia (half-sister to Vautour), Tocororo, Ainsi Va La Vie, Reine De Whitfield and more. It is owned by farmer and breeder Kieran Mariga but it was McGrath who was representing the operation on Tuesday. 

He added, “Over The Rainbow is a foundation Flat broodmare, she has a good covering and she has a good pedigree–it's hard to get. We will make stallion plans once we have got the foal from her. 

“We want to keep the quality up and we will take it one step at a time with regards to developing a Flat band of mares. We will be aiming to operate on a commercial basis.”

 

 

'Kingman Has Been Good To Me – But This Mare Didn't Fall Through The Cracks!'

Noel O'Callaghan | Tattersalls/Laura Green

Noel O'Callaghan of Mountarmstrong Stud had his brothers Gay and Tony to thank for making Kingman (GB) filly Divine Spirit (Ire) (lot 155) expensive on him.

Part of the quality Godolphin draft, Divine Spirit was sold in foal to Cracksman (GB) to bloodstock agent Matt Coleman on behalf of the Mountarmstrong Stud operator for 210,000gns. 

Speaking outside the sales ring afterwards, O'Callaghan threw his head in the direction of the Yeomanstown Stud and Tally-Ho Stud maestros and commented, “put it this way, she didn't fall through the cracks–I wasn't the only family member on her! It's a public auction, they're there for everyone.”

He added, “To be honest, she's very good-looking. She could be a tad bigger but hopefully Cracksman will suit her. She'll be covered by a big stallion next spring but I wouldn't even hazard a guess as to which one until February or March. 

“Kingman has been very good to me. I got 850,000gns for a yearling by him and sold another for 450,000gns, so he's been good to me. He's in the elite stallion bracket.”

O'Callaghan, whose famous white and navy silks have been carried by Group 1 winners No Speak Alexander (Ire) (Shalaa {Ire}), Alexander Goldrun (Ire) (Gold Away {Ire}) and Alexander Tango (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), admitted to having found the trade on the opening day of the July Sale to be strong.

He said, “They are making their value here. The nice ones are making their value. The market is very resilient for the good ones.”

Coleman was well versed on Divine Spirit. He was involved in the buying of the filly as a yearling for 95,000gns here in November 2018. 

Divine Spirit was later sold by Tally-Ho Stud to Godolphin for 850,000gns at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale and, after winning a maiden and achieving Group 3 black-type for Charlie Appleby, everything turned full circle on Tuesday. 

Coleman explained, “I know the filly well–I bought her with Roger O'Callaghan as a yearling to breeze and then Anthony [Stroud] bought her as a breezer for Godolphin. She is a filly I have known for a while. She was a very good-looking yearling and breezed very well, she was very fast. 

“I think she has a lot of Green Desert to her–she is medium sized, is a very good walker and is very strong. Her brother Manaccan (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) has done fantastically well this year and the pedigree has really exploded since she was bought as a yearling. It is a very happening pedigree.”

As well as being a half-sister to Manaccan and Raucous (GB) (Dream Ahead), Divine Spirit is out of the 2009 G2 Queen Mary second Shyrl (GB) (Acclamation {GB}). It's a speedy pedigree and one that will fit in well at Mountarmstrong Stud, according to Coleman. 

He said, “Noel likes these fast mares and he was keen to buy her. I think there was a bit of family competition for her! She obviously suits what the O'Callaghan family are renowned for breeding, [which is] fast horses. Fingers crossed she breeds some good foals for Noel. She had a good walk as a yearling and she has kept that walk.”

  • The Godolphin draft was the main attraction on day one with 30 lots sold for over 2 million gns. Along with Divine Spirit, Whispering Romance (Ire) and Pomology broke the 200,000 gns mark. Whispering Romance, another daughter of Kingman, was sold to Justin Casse on behalf of Magnolia Mares for 220,000gns while Sam Sangster snapped up Pomology (Arch) for the same figure.
  • Galileo may be gone but the demand for mares by the legendary stallion remains as strong as ever. Seven sold on Tuesday to the tune of 1,289,000gns at an average of almost 200,000gns which made him the most successful stallion of the opening day's trade. 

Basil Martini The Toast Of Haras du Thenney

Etienne Drion of Haras du Thenney made a flying visit to Newmarket for the July Sale with the aim of sourcing a classy broodmare prospect for the Deauville farm and left home for France a very happy man after buying Basil Martini (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) (lot 191) for 190,000gns.

A Group 3 winner for Joseph O'Brien as a juvenile last season, Basil Martini formed part of a small but select list for Drion, who made the visit a productive one. 

He said, “We came over this morning with 15 mares on our list. By the time we'd finished looking, we had five. All the other mares made too much money. She's a Group 3 winner at two and, while it's early days with regards to picking a stallion, she is an exciting mare for the farm. We'll go to a proven sire, I'd say, and we're happy with her.

“It's a young farm and we are building our broodmare band. We're slowly trying to get better quality mares. She's the only thing we bought today–that and a sandwich!”

Luckily for Drion, the sandwich didn't cost as much as Basil Martini, but he revealed how he thinks the latter could prove to be good value at 190,000gns. 

“We said we'd give it a go and we're happy to have gotten her. When we saw what the other mares were making, we didn't think we'd get her so, listen, you always want to pay less but there were so many people on the same mares, we knew we'd have to fork out a bit.”

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