The two-day virtual online Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale came to a close on Wednesday, with global participation pushing the average and median above last year’s figures. A heavily scratched down catalogue due to the many challenges of 2020 meant that 273 of the 475 catalogued yearlings went up for sale, with 170 (62.6%) finding new homes for an aggregate of €1,094, 200. Last year 288 were sold (74%) for €1,691,600. This year’s average and median were each up 10% (€6,436 and €4,400).
Taking top billing on Wednesday was a Zoffany (Ire) filly out of Watsdaplan (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}) (lot 456), who has had two winners from two to race and is a half-sister to GI Beverly D.S. winner Watsdachances (Ire) (Diamond Green {Fr}). Consigned by Glacken View Stud, she was bought by Al and Bill Ulwelling, bidding online from America, for €33,000. The Ulwellings also bought fillies by Lawman (Fr) and Fast Company (Ire) on Tuesday.
The top-priced colt of the session was Airlie Stud’s son of Sea The Moon (Ger) (lot 317) bought by BBA Ireland and Stamina Turf for €31,000, while a first-crop daughter of Profitable (Ire) (lot 399) made €20,000 from Aoife Dunphy.
Upon the conclusion of the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale, Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “Adaptability. That is one of the key words that sums up the bloodstock industry throughout this awful pandemic as all of us have had to react and adapt to circumstances that have been both out of our control and unlike anything we have experienced.
“The last two days have been a very clear example of reacting and adapting as a purely online sale, devoid of both horses and people, was never a first preference but was forced upon us by the latest Irish restrictions and the need of vendors to sell into the market place. Originally we had planned to hold the sale in January in the hope that the situation would have improved enough to hold a live sale with the usual participants in Kildare Paddocks, and we will still provide that option if the market wants it, but it became clear that the majority of vendors desired the opportunity provided by Goffs Online. Indeed, we salute the flexibility and positivity in which so many have approached the last two days and feel that the decision was vindicated by a level of trade which, although far from a cause for celebration, was acceptable in the current climate.
“We have taken 2,261 bids via Goffs Online, backed up by a lot of telephone activity, and that has led to 10% advances in the average and median although the turnover is obviously well down as we offered a significantly smaller number than 12 months ago. That said, a 62% clearance rate demonstrates the challenges for the market, but it should be noted that part of the service provided was to allow breeders the chance to qualify for 2021 Auction Races and we are grateful to both HRI and BHA for making the necessary alterations to the criteria to allow these yearlings to be eligible; obviously those ‘vendor’ sales are not included in the clearance rate we quote.
“The Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale has always relied heavily on overseas participation and Goffs Online has really come into its own over the two days with buyers from Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Poland, Serbia, Sweden, UK and the U.S. The user friendly nature of this platform has made it very easy for them to engage at a time when travel is not possible and we wish all of them the best of luck with their latest Goffs purchases.
“So, whilst we will not look back on the 2020 renewal of the Autumn Yearling Sale with any affection, we extend our thanks to everyone who has helped the sale take place and, like the whole world, we just hope and pray that a degree of normality will return soon as there’s nothing like the Goffs sales ring when it is buzzing with horses, people and bids.”
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