Coolmore Swoop on €6million Pair of Mares at Goffs November Mares Opening Session

Tara Madgwick - Saturday November 25

Buyers from all around the world were in Ireland on Friday to take advantage of a once in a blue moon opportunity to buy mares from the Niarchos Family included in a stellar lineup that produced an extraordinary day of trade to open the Goffs November Mares Sale.

Alpine Star was one of two mares to sell for 6million euros - image Goffs

Some 194 lots changed hands at a clearance rate of 81%. Turnover soared by 153% to €39,507,500, the average skyrocketed by 166% to €203,647 and the median increased by 5% to €44,000.

The €6 million record price for a thoroughbred sold at auction in Ireland, achieved by Chicquita at Goffs ten years ago, was equalled not once but twice. 

MV MAgnier signed for the four best mares in the sale - image Goffs

The Niarchos family and Coolmore have enjoyed a wonderful association for the best part of half a century, partnering on yearlings in the 1980s and high-class horses such as Circus Maximus and Yucatan more recently.

Advertisement

It was always seemed logical that Coolmore would try to purchase some of the biggest names in The Niarchos Draft, and indeed the operation’s MV Magnier gave €19 million for the four top lots.

The outstanding half-sisters Alpine Star (Lot 1240) and Alpha Centauri (Lot 1263) made an Irish record-equalling €6 million each, while fellow Group 1 heroine Albigna (Lot 1212) cost €3.7m. That Which Is Not, the Listed-winning dam of Irish Derby runner-up Piz Badile (Lot 1260), was bought for €3.3m.

Alpha Centauri also sold for 6million euros.

“The whole Niarchos family are incredible breeders and very close, special friends of ours for a very long time,” said Magnier. “We’re very happy we can get such good mares from them and try to continue their legacy.

“These kinds of mares don’t come on the market very often and we’re just very lucky that we’ve got very good partners who are willing to support us in buying these sorts of mares.”

Magnier was full of praise for the draft, saying: “In fairness to Henry Beeby and all the team, over the whole year they’ve done incredibly. Be it the Orby Sale, the foal sale earlier in the week or the crowd they’re getting here for this. Credit where it’s due, they’ve done a very good job.”

Alpine Star, in foal to Frankel, and Alpha Centauri, in foal to Sea The Stars, descend from the Niarchos family’s immortal mare Miesque. Albigna, in foal to St Mark’s Basilica, is related to Breeders’ Cup Mile hero Domedriver, while That Which Is Not, in foal to Frankel, is out of champion Shiva, a half-sister to Oaks winner Light Shift.

Click here for all the results from this star studded sale.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Flightline and Cogburn Shares Highlight Inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale
Stallion shares in Horse of the Year and exciting young sire Flightline and also Widden Stud's new shuttle prospect Cogburn changed hands at the inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
More Aussie Purchases at Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale Day 3
Strong trade continued on the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale headed by the two-year-old LA BELLOTA at 425,000 guineas with eight lots realising 200,000 guineas or more and a clearance rate above 90%.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Strong Trade Continues at Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
Strong trade continued on the fourth day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale with an interesting horse set to join the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald stable as turnover has already soared to be the second highest in the sale’s history with the fifth and final session still to come. 
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.