Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby declared triumphantly that Goff's new Classic Breeze-Up Sale was "here to stay and will now be a key part of the calendar" after the inaugural edition generated €2,565,500 (US$3,007,151, €1=US$1.17) in turnover, a €65,783 (US$77,108) average price and a median of €45,000 (US$52,747) June 28.
The auction defied critics, who argued when it was announced last year that it would dilute the breeze-up market, by also producing a very respectable 78%, for 39 lots sold from 46 offered, and a top-price of €2,565,500 (US$386,810).
"At the start of this process, we were inundated with opinion and advice; such is the nature of this wonderful game, and all of it was well-meaning," said Beeby. "As a result, and despite some not entirely backing the slightly different approach, we decided to kick on with the format and the date, see how it went and then review.
"That review will now take place in the coming weeks, and we will liaise with key vendors and purchasers to get their feedback before announcing our 2026 plans in advance of the yearling sales season."
One vendor who provided mainly positive early feedback on the new auction was Roderic Kavanagh, whose Glending Stables sold the €330,000 sale-topper, a Starspangledbanner colt who achieved the fastest breeze at Naas June 23, according to unofficial timings.
The colt, a half brother to five winners including German Two Thousand Guineas (G1) fourth String Theory out of Shebelia, a Black Sam Bellamy half sister to German group 1 winners Sabiango and Silvano, went the way of Goffs marketing director Joey Cullen, taking instruction from Ghislain Bozo on the phone, after seeing off the attention of Jason Kelly.
Speaking by phone, Bozo was tight-lipped about the identity of his client, but said the horse would likely remain in Ireland to be trained.
Kavanagh, who bought the colt for €29,000 at Part 2 of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale last October, said: "When you bring a decent horse to any sale, the top 10% will always get on well, and I do think the sale has held up very well.
"He breezed really well, and the stallion is having a great time of it, so it all just came together, and there were a few people here for him.
"In fairness, it was a great effort from Goffs. They get plenty of stick, but they got it together. The format needs a bit of tweaking, but I think there's something here to work on.
"Why do we need to travel? I personally would have it earlier, but others would say no. Either way, the sale has a future."
Churchill Downs Calling
Fergus Galvin, who runs the successful Kentucky nursery Hunter Valley Farm with business partner Adrian Regan, struck the winning bid of €120,000 for a Maxfield half brother to United States stakes winners Pure Majestic and Tonalist's Shape online while at Churchill Downs.
"I've bought him on spec," reported the purchaser, trackside on the phone. "I only had the pedigree and video to go on, but I liked what I saw from that, and we do a fair bit of work with Willie Browne over here and he recommended him highly. That means a lot coming from him, so we're pretty excited.
"I'm a big fan of Maxfield, he's made a great start here in the U.S., and this colt is from a proper dirt family. The mare has done it with two stakes winners on dirt and hopefully this one can do it too.
"He'll go to Brendan Walsh, who trained Maxfield so well. I've no owner in mind yet. It was a case of 'buy now, worry later'!"
The colt, another Arqana Breeze-Up Sale withdrawal and out of the stakes-winning Harlan's Holiday mare Hitechnoweenie, was picked up by MC Bloodstock for $125,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
