A
€2 million top lot and significant gains across the board were the highlights
of a superb first day at Goffs Orby Sale that saw the progeny of two young stallions
standing in Australia this spring achieve notable results in No Nay Never (USA)
and Free Eagle (IRE).
Turnover rose by 14%, despite almost 30 less horses offered compared with Day 1
last year, while average rose by 33% to €144,222 and median by 27% to €85,000
and a strong clearance rate of 88% was recorded.
The star of the show was Glenvale Stud's beautiful Galileo own sister to the three
time Group I winner Alice Springs who sold to Phoenix Thoroughbreds for €2
million.
"The mare has already produced a Group 1 winner and this is the kind of
filly we need to be buying. As well as being so well bred she was very
athletic, a good walker, and we liked her right from the start. We'll get her
home and let her be a horse again before deciding on who will train her," said Phoenix
Thoroughbreds' principal Amer Abdulaziz.
As well as the sales topper, the Glenvale Stud draft also provided another
highlight on Day 1 when their No Nay Never filly from Sea the Stars mare Starlet,
who hails from the family of High Chaparral and whose 2yo half-brother won
first time out two weeks ago, sold for €700,000 to MV Magnier.
The filly was a hugely successful pinhook having been bought by Flash Conroy
for €52,000 from the Goffs November Foal Sale.
"She was a great mover with a lot of quality and Flash Conroy had a very
high opinion of her," said MV Magnier.
"Ten Sovereigns should be a pretty special horse next year and No Nay
Never is flying, thank God."
No Nay Never sired his first Group I winner last weekend with Ten Sovereigns
winning the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes and the son of Scat Daddy is currently
in Australia for Coolmore standing at a
fee of $19,250.
Also in Australia for Cornerstone Stud is High Chaparral's Group son Free
Eagle, who made a splash with a colt from Nebraas that made €400,000 when
snapped up by Shadwell.
Bred and consigned by the Irish National Stud, the half-brother to Group III
winner Yellow Rosebud and stakes-winner Seeharn is another great type from
Nebraas who has had seven winners from seven foals to race.
"It's great that he's going to Shadwell and to have had Ross Doyle asthe
underbidder," said the Irish National Stud Manager Cathal Beale.
"Ger Lyons also bought a Free Eagle yearling early today so that's really
positive from our perspective."
Free Eagle stands at Cornerstone Stud at a fee of $16,500.