Unraced Lope de Vega mare La Renegada's €65,000 (US$74,903, €1=US$1.15) purchase topped brisk trade Nov. 22 as the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale drew to a close.
Kayhan Ozcan's Turkey-based Turquoise Bloodstock claimed the 4-year-old, who was offered by Ballylinch Stud and she came under the hammer in foal to the operation's resident sire Make Believe.
La Renegada is out of Against Rules, who won several listed races over extended distances in France and was then bought by Ballylinch for 300,000 guineas at Tattersalls. Two of Against Rules' other progeny have been bought for six-figure sums including La Renegada's brother Crown Board, an emphatic winner for Jane Chapple-Hyam at Sandown in September.
Saturday's session was a short, sharp second-division affair compared with the hefty purchases of some marquee broodmares Friday. As with the trade for foals at the beginning of the week, the figures held up well and left Goffs group chief executive Henry Beeby to describe the overall event as "exceeding expectations."
Total turnover of €12,117,700 (US$13,963,832) was up 7% on last year, although it was from a larger catalog so the average €45,728 (US$52,695) was dipping 10% and the median of €20,000 (US$23,047) was down by 9%. Overall clearance rate of of 265 of 322 horses selling at 82% was an improvement.
"So many vendors and consignors of both foals and mares gave positive feedback on the sale which delights the dedicated Goffs team as we exist to serve those that place their trust in our service," Beeby said.
"In my comments at the conclusion of the foal sale I highlighted the frenzied demand from start to finish and would only add that such vibrancy was largely driven by the swathes of pinhookers who flock to Goffs November every year whether the yearling season has been good, bad, or indifferent. They are an amazing group of hard-working, committed men and women who are the epitome of accentuating the positives in everything, and we are in their debt.
"It is our hope that they will choose Goffs when they come to reoffer as the Orby and Premier sales provide a vibrant and strong marketplace at all levels whilst the Goffs Customer Loyalty Scheme provides a distinctive and significant USP to vendors."
Turning his attention to the final couple of days, Beeby continued: "Our Breeding Stock Sale also delivered positive returns for large numbers although at a lower level today.
"Yesterday's top lot (of €780,000 for Enthralling) is a clear case in point of exceeding expectations as she realized double several presale valuations, and she was far from alone in that achievement.
"Year after year this sale is the gateway to the world for Irish breeders and we are grateful for their ongoing support as, in common with every category at every sale, we recognize we are nothing without the horses. That said, I admit that we will be frustrated to see some high-profile Irish horses selling elsewhere in the coming weeks when we know, without any doubt, we would achieve the best price for them as we have done on so many occasions.
"It is, of course, for us to make the case and I can only state that we will not rest in our endeavors as we have supreme confidence that Goffs November is the measure of any sale in the world for both foals and breeding stock, and our track record proves it. Finally, our thanks to all who have contributed to another superb week at Goffs. Vendors, purchasers, grooms, suppliers, and the wonderful Goffs team of which I am proud to be a part."
