Sister to Blackbeard Goes for €2.6M at Goffs Orby Sale

"How much will she make?" one interested observer asked as Blackbeard (IRE)'s sister took to the Goffs ring midway through the opening session of the Orby Sale Sept. 27. The answer arrived just a couple of minutes later when the gavel fell at €2.6 million ($2,506,104), the highest price paid for a yearling anywhere in the world this year. Blackbeard is owned by the Coolmore partners and Georg von Opel's Westerberg and MV Magnier was among those keeping a close eye on proceedings, but matters ultimately boiled down to US-based agent Jacob West and Richard Knight, with the latter striking the decisive blow from the middle tier of the auditorium to the right of Henry Beeby's rostrum. The filly's brother was cataloged as having won four races, including the Darley Prix Robert Papin (G2), but had since taken his record to six victories from eight starts having annexed the Darley Prix Morny (G1) and the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (G1) on his last two outings, the most recent of which came just three days before the sale. "I thought she was the absolute standout of the sale even without her brother on the page," Knight said. "Just as an individual she had everything; she's a lovely size, a lovely shape and a very athletic filly. "Every time I went and saw her she did exactly what I wanted. Then you can add the brother and the sire into the mix too. I'm just delighted to get her." Knight has been on something of a spree this sales season, having recently spent $4.875 million on six lots at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, headed by a $1.3 million Constitution half brother to Kimari. Despite adding to his haul with another seven-figure acquisition, the agent was unable to reveal the identity of his high-rolling client. On the seven-figure price Knight added: "It was at the top of where we were thinking she would be but we didn't want to leave here without her. It's very exciting. She'll go back to Britain and be trained there, although no trainer has been decided upon yet." Bred by Newstead Breeding and consigned by Glenvale Stud, the No Nay Never filly is the second foal out of Muirin, a winning daughter of Born To Sea (IRE) who finished fourth behind Happily (IRE) in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) in 2017 for trainer Edward Lynam and owners Robert Moran and David Myerscough. The mare, who in turn is out of 2009 Patrick P. O'Leary Memorial Phoenix Sprint Stakes (G3) winner Girouette, sold to Broadhurst Agency for €210,000 ($202,416) at the 2018 Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale. The filly becomes comfortably the most expensive progeny of No Nay Never to change hands at public auction, with the previous high mark set by Nay Lady Nay (IRE), who sold to Juddmonte Farms for $1.7 million at Fasig-Tipton last November. Her price also comfortably eclipses that of her group 1-winning brother, who fetched 270,000gns ($378,650) from Jamie McCalmont when offered by Norelands Stud at the 2020 Tattersalls December Foal Sale. "You can never expect a price like that," said Glenvale's Ciaran 'Flash' Conroy. "That said, when you have an animal like that anything can happen. She's by a top-class stallion who's had a great year and she's obviously a full sister to the best 2-year-old sprinter around. "Those updates are the things you dream of. The Prix Morny was unbelievable and then to win the Middle Park the way he did just shows anything can happen when the horse is in the hands of Aidan O'Brien! "When any animal sells well it's always a great relief because you only get one shot in the sales ring. She's a beautiful-looking filly and she's always been a very good physical." Day 1 Results The day saw 208 lots sell from 237 offered, resulting in a clearance rate of 88%. One-hundred-and-four of those brought a six-figure sum, which contributed to a 37% year-on-year increase in turnover at €26,888,000 ($25,916,967). The average price was up by 25% at €120,269 ($115,926), while the median rose by 33% to a round €100,000 ($96,388). The Goffs Orby sale continues on Wednesday, with the session starting at 9.30am.