Strong Trade Reported at Goffs Premier Sale

The two-day Goffs UK Premier yearling sale produced increases in average and median, and though gross receipts dropped 2% from last year, 23 fewer horses were sold in 2016.

A Dark Angel colt offered by Highclere Stud topped the auction when he sold for £280,000 ($370,561) to Peter and Ross Doyle Aug. 24, the second day of the auction. The colt, out of a stakes-winning Oasis Dream half-sister to Swiss Spirit, was purchased on behalf of Shadwell and will be sent to trainer Richard Hannon.

Six horses brought at least £200,000, and 32 yearlings topped the six-figure mark to fuel a gross of £17,455,000 ($23,100,541). The average of £44,078 ($58,334) was up 3%, while the median increased 13% to £34,000 ($44,996). Of the 454 yearlings on offer, 396 sold for a clearance rate of 87%.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club, represented by Mark Richards, paid £230,000 ($304,389) for Brightwalton Stud's Acclamation colt; it was the club's second six-figure purchase at the sale.

"For the fifth consecutive year the Premier sale has returned improved figures following two powerful days of sustained trade at a level we have not witnessed at Doncaster at any sale in memory," Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby said. "Add to the mix a real hunger from our buyers from home and abroad, and the result is the kind of consistently strong trade that we have witnessed over the last two days headlined by a record-equaling yearling at £280,000 for the second consecutive year."