Drama and disbelief abounded at Goffs Nov. 22 as Gouache , dam of this yr’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) winner Goliath , was led out of the Goffs November Breeding Inventory Sale unsold at €5 million (US$5.2 million, €1=US$1.04).
Goliath is about to contest the Japan Cup (G1) Nov. 24, however even the prospect of an virtually rapid pedigree replace was not sufficient to immediate the massed ranks of main gamers to hitch the fray thus far into seven-figure territory.
Goffs group chief government Henry Beeby was on the podium when Gouache took to the ring, and commented on occasions by saying: “I quote my late father as he all the time mentioned, ‘If you have not bought a horse, you possibly can’t promote it.’ Even when persons are on the lookout for large cash, you carry the horse to the ring and current it to the market.
“We have promoted this mare, the present homeowners worth her very extremely, clearly, and after we spoke about it yesterday they drew comparisons, for very comprehensible causes, with Alpha Centauri and Alpine Star, who bought for €6 million apiece final yr.
“They have been on the lookout for one thing between 5 and 6 (million) and the market did not agree. It is disappointing for us and barely irritating, but when you have not bought the horses you possibly can’t promote them, and all we are able to do is our greatest. I’ve mentioned it earlier than and I am going to say it once more, it is the seller’s prerogative.”
Beeby added that there was nonetheless the potential for a non-public deal to be struck outdoors of the ring.
Gouache, who was offered by Millennium Stud, was making a reasonably swift return to the gross sales ring having been signed for by the Rotterdam-based Agrolexica Worldwide Buying and selling at €200,000 at Arqana final December, at which level Goliath’s greatest accomplishment was profitable a listed contest at Clairefontaine.
Goliath is one in every of three winners out of Gouache, who was supplied in foal to Baaeed . Her first foal, Goliath’s sister Gamine, gained 5 races in Germany, whereas her third foal, the Material of Stars filly Galaxy, shed her maiden tag because the publication of the November Sale catalog. The mare delivered a Blackbeard filly bred beneath the banner of Millennium Stud March 27.
Prime Lot Honor Goes Elliott’s Approach
Her Honour was additionally led out unsold when the bidding reached €850,000, however Springfort Park Stud later struck a non-public take care of Alex Elliott at €725,000 (US$754,000). The 13-year-old daughter of Shamardal has developed right into a prolific producer regardless of her earlier covers having been to a variety of stallions who did not shine at stud.
Her 4 winners at paddocks characteristic first foal Mirage Hero, a listed-placed son of Due Diligence ; her second foal is her finest so far, with Brazen Beau mare Vadream profitable 4 races, together with the Bengough and Palace Home (each G3) stakes; whereas her fourth foal turned out to be Midream, a listed-placed daughter of U S Navy Flag .
She has since acquired some punchier covers, as befits her standing because the dam of three black-type horses. She has a 2-year-old colt by Kodiac , a yearling filly by New Bay , and she or he was supplied in foal to Night time of Thunder .
“She wasn’t bought for €850,000 clearly, however we honored our final bid within the ring,” mentioned Elliott. “What a producer. She’s a Shamardal mare from an enormous household with Harzand and Emily Upjohn on the web page (beneath the second dam).
“She’s bred stakes horses by inferior stallions actually. It is time to improve her and Peter and Hugh McCutcheon reluctantly agreed to promote her. They did not actually need to let her go, however she’ll be bred to some large stallions now. I might think about we’ll breed her to Frankel or Wootton Bassett.
“She’s been purchased for an English breeder and she or he’s going to reside at Baroda Stud with David Cox. The McCutcheon brothers have stored a New Bay filly out of her, in order that they’ll nonetheless be cheering her on. She’s in foal to Night time of Thunder too, who’s going to face for €150,000 subsequent yr. She’s a mare with a little bit of age however she’s confirmed.”
Gone West
Neither Jacob West nor Mike Repole have been in attendance at Kildare Paddocks, however that didn’t cease the names of the main agent-owner mixture showing prominently on the outcomes. The pair have been bidding by Goffs agent Tom Taaffe after they landed Firebird Music from the Godolphin consignment at €230,000.
Firebird Music, bought by West Bloodstock as agent for Mike Repole, on the Goffs November Breeding Inventory Sale
The 8-year-old daughter of Invincible Spirit, the dam of 1 winner from one runner, was supplied in foal to Blue Level , who is about to face the 2025 season at €100,000. There’s loads of daring black sort on the web page as Firebird Music is a sibling to the dam of Sirenia Stakes (G3) scorer Image of Energy , whereas Territories seems beneath the second dam.
“She’s for Jacob West, agent for Mike Repole, who’s been an ideal supporter of right here for the final variety of years,” mentioned Taaffe. “I gave them a shortlist this morning and I could not imagine it when, at 10 to five their time, Jacob texted me with an addition! Mike is an early morning individual and had all of it coated. She’ll return to America as a result of he needs to carry some worldwide bloodlines into his broodmare band.”
The six-figure buy helped Godolphin high the consignors’ desk with 24 tons bought for an mixture of €1,943,000.
Sale Statistics
The session noticed 207 mares supplied and 161 modified palms at a clearance charge of 78%. Direct year-on-year comparisons in the important thing market metrics are closely distorted by the presence of the once-in-a-generation Niarchos draft on at the present time final yr. Turnover for the day reached €10,839,000 (US$11,272,560), which is 15% behind final yr’s outcomes minus the Niarchos contingent. The typical was €67,325 (US$70,018), which was additionally again 15%, whereas the median was down 5% at €40,000 (US$41,600).
The November Breeding Inventory Sale concludes Nov. 23 with a session beginning at 10 a.m. native time.