If it's international interest Goffs want, that's exactly what they are going to get, according to Bo Bromagen, who revealed that he will be among the 50 to 60 American-based agents who will add to a power-packed buyers' bench at the Orby Sale this week.
For many of those agents, the trip will represent a maiden voyage, but not Bromagen, who has navigated these waters four times in the past and describes the Orby Sale as one of the first dates he pencils into his diary each year.
Bromagen said, “I have been beating the drum about this sale for years. I know there is a lot of American interest and, between Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and Goffs, they have done an incredible job in promoting the Orby and recruiting buyers.
“I think there is a lot of value to be had at the Orby and, over the past few years, I found horses that really suited what I was trying to do for less money than I thought I would have to give. I feel really confident about the horses I buy and at the prices I have to buy them at.”
He added, “I don't work for ITM or Goffs but I have been telling everyone I know that you can find value at this sale. I would say there are between 50 to 60 American interests coming over this week when, in years past, there would have been about 25 or 30. I don't know if we are going to take over, because the Irish are very strong and there will be other European buyers, but we are going to make a run at it.”
The strength of the dollar at present, paired with the huge recruitment drive run by Goffs and ITM, means that familiar faces like Ben McElroy, Kenny McPeek and Justin Casse, all of whom have made a major impact at the Orby Sale in recent years, will face stiff competition from their fellow countrymen as well as the European and Middle Eastern market.
Despite the added competition, Bromagen is confident that there will still be value on offer at Goffs this week.
He said, “Being an international bloodstock agent gives me the opportunity to attend sales like this around the world and, let me tell you, the Orby Sale is at the top of my list every single year.
“Obviously it depends on the clients that you have, and I know Kenny McPeek went over and spent a million dollars on a Frankel (GB) horse last year. I don't have that budget, but no matter what you are looking for, be that price, distance or pedigree, there is value at all levels. That's the beauty of the Orby Sale.”
Bromagen signed for a Gleneagles filly for €90,000 that was consigned by Eddie O'Leary's Lynn Lodge Stud at last year's sale. He revealed that the juvenile is in training with Rusty Arnold and added that the Irish method in preparing yearlings for the sales is a huge draw.
He said, “We bought a Gleneagles (Ire) filly last year. We tried on a couple more but got out-bid. We're going to try and go a little stronger this year as a result. I love the Gleneagles. She's in training with Rusty Arnold and we're going to try and make her first start up at Keeneland.
“The Keeneland sale has become a commercial monster. There are so many horses in that sale and the majority of them will be looking as well as they ever will in their life. They are show ready. I think at the Orby, a lot of what goes on there is just natural old school horsemanship which translates into the quality product that you see in front of you. You know what you are getting and you can feel good about it.”
On his approach to the sale, he added, “I like to see some speed in the pedigree for the horses I will be bringing back home to America because I think that translates well to our races. That's just my personal preference as, in American turf races, you need that quick-fire turn of pace towards the end of the race. When you're trying to catch up with guys like Chad [Brown], you've got to have something that can kick!”
Along with some partners, Bromagen is hoping to secure up to three yearlings this week and suggested some of the group's acquisitions could stay in training in Ireland, although discussions as to who would train for them have not been had.
He said, “We put together some money as a group and we hope to buy two or three this week. We might even leave one or two over here, re-sell as 2-year-olds or even put them in training, we haven't fully decided.
“We'll see what shakes and I'm excited. We're looking to do some business and expand in this market. If it was up to me, I'd race everything we buy but to stay in this business, you've got to turn a profit every now and again so we'll have to see how it plays out. There are a lot of quality trainers in Ireland.”
According to Bromagen, this week marks the beginning of a busy few weeks for many of the American-based agents, who will also be in attendance at Tattersalls next week.
He explained, “This trip has developed into something of a European tour. There's myself and a group of guys who come over and work the Orby really hard and, after that, we'll go on to France for the Arc.
“We get to be fans of racing for these few weeks and remember what we got into this game for. A lot of guys will be heading to Tattersalls in between, and I'd certainly love to be able to go to as many sales as I can in Europe, but it's just a matter of trying to schedule them all in.”
But when it comes to the Orby, nothing will get in Bromagen's way from attending.
“I've been to the Orby Sale four times now and, if possible, I'm going to keep coming back for the rest of my life. It's so much fun. The horses are the main thing, and you can find some real athletes at a great price, but the people in Ireland make you want to come back every year. It's a sale I put into my calender at the start of every single year and I have been looking forward to this week for such a long time.”
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