Henry Beeby | Horse Racing Free Tips

First Batch Of Goffs Two Million Series Races Published In Provisional Summary

The initial races nominated as part of the Goffs €50,000 Bonus Series for horses purchased at last year's Goffs Orby Book 1 and 2 Sales have been released along with the publication of the Flat programme for 2024.

The bonus series carries a maximum prize fund of €500,000 and will see up to 10 bonuses of €50,000 paid to the winning connections of a diverse programme of juvenile races throughout Ireland this year.

The Goffs €50,000 Bonuses, part of the Goffs Two Million Series, is open to two-year-olds who were catalogued in the 2023 Goffs Orby Book 1 and Orby Book 2 Sales and were declared eligible by Goffs by payment of the qualification fee.

The first races with opportunities to win will be held from March 18, at the Curragh, to early June, at Listowel. The remaining races will be published along with the release of the Flat programme by Horse Racing Ireland later in the year.

Goffs chief Henry Beeby said, “The Goffs €50,000 Bonuses have been assigned by Goffs with the support of Horse Racing Ireland to give as many opportunities to win as possible, while ensuring that both early and later maturing types have a balanced chance to contend.

“Goffs Two Million Series was a huge hit with buyers and helped drive the vibrant trade enjoyed at last year's Orby Sale which bucked market trends. We look forward to seeing those graduates compete for these valuable bonuses right from the start of the season, culminating in a spectacular Goffs Millions Day at the Curragh on the eve of this year's Orby.”

Each race will appear in the Provisional Summary as a 'GOFFS €50,000 BONUS SERIES' race and a note will also appear in the relevant Racing Calendars. The series will conclude on Goffs Million Day at the Curragh on Saturday, September 28 and, in the event that all 10 bonuses have not been won, the outstanding amount will be added to the Goffs Million and Goffs 500 prize-money.

Goffs Two Million Series is headed by the Goffs Million, Europe's richest race for juveniles, which will be run over seven furlongs at the Curragh.

Meanwhile, on the same card, the Goffs 500 worth €500,000 will take place over six furlongs. Entries for the Goffs Million and Goffs 500, which offer prize-money to 10th place, close on May 1. Entry will be to both races and connections must only declare their preferred race at declaration time.

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Goffs December National Hunt Sale: Zarkareva Leads The Way At 240k

Well-bred jumps mares dominated trade on the final day of the December National Hunt Sale at Goffs with Grade 3-winning chaser Zarkareva (Fr) (Authorized {Ire}) leading the way at €240,000.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned Scarlet And Dove (Ire) (Jeremy), successful at Grade 2 level and placed at the Cheltenham festival, confirmed that the demand for high-class mares remains as strong as ever in the National Hunt.

However, similarly to the Flat breeding stock sales in Britain and Ireland throughout recent months, the middle to lower end of the market proved more of a struggle at Goffs, with the clearance rate dropping from 70% in 2022 to just 59% this week.

All told, 468 lots sold for turnover of €8,201,950 (-6%), an average of €17,526 (-4%) and median of €12,000 (+9%).

Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby said, “The two top priced National Hunt foals of the year anywhere together with the 10 highest prices for a National Hunt broodmare in Ireland and the United Kingdom this autumn clearly illustrate the progress this sale has made as such accolades would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Goffs December is now the clear first choice for so many National Hunt breeders which led to our largest ever catalogue for this sale and four days that witnessed some serious bidding duels for several outstanding young future jumpers and established broodmares. €120,000, our second highest National Hunt foal ever, and the €240,000 for Zarkareva are proper headline acts and we are delighted to have delivered consistently at the top of the market.”

Beeby added, “It must, however, be noted that the market has spoken loudly at the middle to lower end this week as evidenced by a clearance rate that makes for serious reflection. Goffs will always strive to provide the best possible marketplace for all categories and work tirelessly to deliver for every vendor but, when four in every ten fail to find a buyer, it must surely be a warning sign for breeders when making plans for next year and beyond. Indeed, this is a sobering statistic especially for the smaller entities and I can only state that Goffs will continue to work with everyone to create the best possible arena for each entry we receive. That includes the ITBA, HRI, ITM and individual breeders as our fortunes are indelibly linked to those of each vendor who chooses the Goffs service.”

Thursday's sale-topper is out of the placed Sendawar mare Zarkiyna, a half-sister to high-class Italian jumper Zarkali but also, more importantly, Zarkasha – better known as the dam of unbeaten Arc heroine Zarkava and her multiple Grade 1 hurdle-winning half-brother Zarkandar.

She was bought by Kieran Mariga's Coolmara Stables in Youghal, County Cork, which has been quickly gathering a band of top-notch National Hunt broodmare prospects in recent times.

“She was just a lovely mare,” said Kieran's son Cathal after the docket was signed. “No Risk At All is a great sire and had the highest priced National Hunt foal this year (the colt out of Hidden Harmony who sold for €120,000 at Goffs on Wednesday).

“We also loved that she's out of a mare by Authorized. We really like him, and we sold a foal by his son Santiago for €43,000 this week. We're big fans of Santiago. So to have a daughter of Authorized – and one from a brilliant Aga Khan Studs family-in foal to No Risk At All is quite special. Let's hope she's lucky, and the progeny make a bit back for us.”

Meanwhile, Scarlet And Dove, who was trained by Joseph O'Brien, was sold to Justin and Jackie Owens of Mount Armstrong Stud.

Beeby concluded on the sale, “In closing I repeat the pride all the team at Goffs feel when we reflect on the progress we have made in the NH sector in recent years as Kildare Paddocks now plays host to true market leaders in the Arkle and December NH sales, both of which enjoyed an atmosphere and vibrancy that are the envy of others as our passionate and experienced team go that little bit further on each occasion. These are backed up with the most viable alternatives across in Doncaster in May and November so ensuring that Goffs continues to offer and full and focussed service to the NH industry.

“For now we wish all Goffs clients a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and look forward to welcoming each and every one back to Kildare Paddocks in 2024 whilst thanking every one of them again for their support, as we know we are nothing without it.”

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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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Filly By Havana Grey Tops The Second Day Of The Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale

Bobby O'Ryan and Dermot Weld purchased the top two lots during the second session at the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale on Thursday.

A filly (lot 727) from the family of Gilt Edge Girl (GB) (Monsieur Bond {Ire}) by Havana Grey (GB) topped the session and the two-day sale at €65,000 from the consignment of Erenagh House Stud. Earlier in the day, lot 538, a son of Blue Point (Ire), brought €50,000 from the same duo from the draft of Rochestown Lodge Stud.

Across the two days, the clearance rate dropped a point to 76% with 387 yearlings of 508 marked as sold. The aggregate was €3,240,300. Both the average and the median dropped, with the former reaching €8,373 (-11%) and the median at €5,000 (-9%).

“The gateway to the world for Irish breeders” is often how Goffs is promoted and it was certainly true that Kildare Paddocks welcomed a truly international group of buyers this week,” said Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby. “This followed another concerted and coordinated campaign by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and the Goffs Buyer Attraction team who have travelled endlessly to promote the three sections of the Irish National Yearling Sale over the last couple of months.

“We are indebted to our overseas agents for their sterling work alongside ITM that has succeeded in attracting visitors from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and, of course the UK whilst we are not forgetting the home team as the top six lots were bought to stay in Ireland.

“Whilst celebrating our overseas clients we acknowledge that the last two days have been challenging for many and that is symptomatic of the issues facing the industry at the moment. Indeed, our sale has followed the trends at other recent sales at this level and it only goes to underline the importance of overseas investment in our produce. How blessed we are to have ITM working with us, not just to bring people to Ireland but also to ensure they have a positive experience and want to

return. ITM are great ambassadors for Irish bloodstock and they complement the work of Joey Cullen, Hayley O'Connor, Tom Taaffe, Mark Richards and the superb Goffs overseas agents in making sure that a trip to Goffs is hassle free, memorable and productive. To put that into context 88 lots from the last two days head to Italy and another 62 will be spread across Eastern Europe which graphically illustrates their contribution to the market whilst their positivity and enthusiasm ensured a lively atmosphere from start to finish.

“We now turn our attention to our market leading November Sale which features the cream of the Irish foal crop and some beautifully bred mares and fillies headed by the iconic Niarchos Draft of 41 blue bloods from one of the world's leading owner breeders over the last half century. If ever Goffs was going to be the centre of the bloodstock world, it's going to be later this month and we can't wait.”

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