Average declines slightly in a tight market

Goffs Land Rover & June National Hunt Sale drew to a close on Thursday with a good moving son of Flemensfirth (Lot 723) leading proceedings when purchased by Fethard Bloodstock for €25,000. The Clonbur House consigned three-year-old is out of a Supreme Leader dam from the family of Grade One winning Novice Chaser Southern Vic. Aidan O’Ryan later paid €19,000 for a filly by French sire Take Risks out of a half sister to Talina’s Law who was twice a Listed winning hurdler.

Milan’s first crop headed both days of the Land Rover Sale, with a strong opening day on Tuesday topped by a three year old gelding out of a Be My Native half sister to Grade One placed hurdler Kildare. He was knocked down to agent Aiden Murphy for €92,000. While solid trade on the second day was capped by agent Kevin Ross’ €70,000 purchase of a Summerhill-consigned son of Milan out of thirteen time winning mare Tri Folene, who was also placed in the Kim Muir Chase at Cheltenham.

Commenting on the week’s trade, Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby said:

“We are perfectly content with trade over the last three days. There is no doubt that the market has tightened considerably, but we have to accept that we are not immune to what is happening in worldwide economies; after all we are selling a luxury item. Indeed those in some other industries might view our results over the last few days with considerable envy given our highly acceptable clearance rate and the fact that our median has remained constant which graphically illustrates that the middle market has held steady in the current climate.

It is fair to say the sale has been better than some may have predicted. The overwhelming feedback from the majority of our clients has been one of satisfaction as we have continued our job of selling a good proportion of horses offered."

Trade for the sale, which for the first time saw the Land Rover section grow to two days and the June NH Sale become one day, achieved a solid clearance rate of 65%, while the median of €12,000 was equal to that of twelve months ago. Average was down slightly from €17,469 in 2007 to €15,657 this week while turnover for the three days was €7,045,700.