The curtain came down on a memorable few days at the Goffs Land Rover Sale on Thursday, with the sale company celebrating a momentous week of trade that triggered record gains across-the-board.

No fewer than 41 horses sold for six figures while the aggregate of €20,406,000 achieved during the two-day Part 1 represented a rise of 25%. All told, 394 horses sold during Part 1 for an average of €51,792, up 12% from 2021, and a median of €45,000, up 13%.

Thursday’s Part 2 session, although operating at a lower level, also featured competitive trade, with 174 stores selling for a total of €3,105,000, itself a major rise of 59% over the corresponding day in 2021. The average rose by eight per cent to €17,871 while the median increased by seven per cent to €16,000.

“The new best”,” commented Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby following the conclusion of Part 1. “That is how we have marketed the Land Rover Sale recently as it has continued its evolution to become the clear first choice for increasing numbers. “Best” is, however, a subjective term so perhaps it’s better that we let the horses do the talking, firstly in the sales ring, and then on the racecourse.

“That would be apt as we have always said we are nothing without the horses our vendors supply and this year we have been provided with a catalogue of unsurpassed quality. Indeed we have not needed spin to promote the sale as from the moment the catalogue was published so many people commented on the depth and class over the two days. That translated into a trade of phenomenal intensity from start to finish and so, on behalf of all the Goffs team and especially our National Hunt Inspection Team of Gerry Hogan, Peter Molony, Kevin Ross and Neil Walsh, I repeat our sincere thanks to every vendor who placed their trust in the Goffs service. We do not underestimate the importance of the decision taken in each case and are just delighted to have received so many positive comments from such a variety of satisfied clients. 

“The statistics make for happy reading with an impressive 90% clearance rate, a 12% rise in average, 13% median increase and a massive 41 horses realising €100,000 and over, and all from a sale that is only in its second year as a two day event following the unprecedented demand for places from all the big farms. The latter stat perhaps most graphically illustrates the progress Land Rover has made as there was just one six figure lot 10 years ago whilst this year’s tally is the most recorded at any store sale.”

This daughter of Blue Bresil is set to race in America after selling for €195,000 to jointly top the Goffs Land Rover Sale. Photo – Sarah Farnsworth

With the Camelot half-brother to Altior later revealed to have been a buyback at €300,000 by vendor Kevin Doyle, trade was jointly headed by a son of popular French stallion No Risk At All and a daughter of Glenview Stud’s ever popular resident Blue Bresil who realised €195,000 apiece.

Henrietta Knight, acting on behalf of Mike Grech, landed the successful bid for the No Risk At All gelding, sold by Moanmore Stables. A half-brother to five winners including the stakes-placed jumpers Speedy Speed and Authorised Speed, the gelding is out of dual Listed winner Tangaspeed.

The Blue Bresil filly, meanwhile, provided Johnny Collins of Brown Island Stables with a memorable touch, having been picked up by the vendor for just £16,500 as a yearling at the Goffs UK January Sale in 2020. American trainer Keri Brion, acting for owner Rod Moorhead, came out on top for the filly, whose half-brother Gentlemansgame was a recent third in the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown.

It was also a successful few days for Tally-Ho Stud – better known as Flat vendors – thanks primarily to the sale of a Saint Des Saints brother to Grade 3 winner Saint Firmin for €170,000 to Mags O’Toole. The gelding had originally been a €60,000 Arqana December foal pinhook by Highflyer Bloodstock.

Interestingly of the top 15 lots, ten were by French-based sires. Three were the progeny of Haras de Montaigu’s No Risk At All, who returned an average of €80,769 for 13 sold during Part 1. However, demand for the stock of Blue Bresil also reached an all-time high, as illustrated by an average of €107,200 for ten sold.