Quality Over Quantity on Offer at Goffs UK Sale

Each year since 1977, buyers have congregated by the Town Moor turf to watch the latest batch of juveniles go through their paces ahead of what is now known as the Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale. It is a ritual that has served many well.

Pam Sly found her Stan James One Thousand Guineas (G1) heroine Speciosa at the 2005 edition with a bid of £30,000 (US$56,274) enough to take home the daughter of Danehill Dancer. Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock parted with £36,000 ($58,103) for a son of Diktat in 2010 who turned out to be crack sprinter Dream Ahead, and Karl Burke secured future group 1 winner Quiet Reflection in 2015 for £44,000 ($66,168).

The list of winners goes on—think joint sale toppers Ardad and Prince of Lir, who cost £170,000 ($244,783) apiece in 2016 before going on to strike at that year's Royal Ascot—and also includes the 58 successful juveniles who emerged from last year's renewal.

While that kind of track record may pique the interest of prospective purchasers, the presence of potential stars of the future is required to bring buyers back year after year. And judging by the sizable crowd assembled for the presale breeze, plenty think there are big talents to be bought in Doncaster April 25.

The catalog certainly brims with potential, with the sires index suggesting a healthy mix of fashion and function.

On the proven end of the spectrum, progeny from the likes of Acclamation, Dandy Man, Kodiac, Lope de Vega, Showcasing, and the resurgent Starspangledbanner are all represented. Among the up-and-comers are lots by Gleneagles, Kingman, Muhaarar, Night of Thunder, and No Nay Never.

The list of vendors includes Grove Stud, Lynn Lodge, Mocklershill, Tally-Ho, and Yeomanstown. 

This year's sale features a condensed offering, with 160 juveniles entered compared with 207 in 2018, a year when supply outweighed demand across the spectrum of European breeze-up sales. Tony Williams, managing director of Goffs UK, said the company reacted to such a climate by ensuring the emphasis was firmly on quality over quantity.

"In 2018, we probably had more horses than the market could handle, so we took a conscious decision to tighten up the catalog. Time will tell, but I think that will work in our favor," he said. "I think everyone involved with the breeze-ups has had to tighten up on numbers, and that includes the vendors. I think consignors have gone out and spent as much on pinhooks as they did previously but have bought fewer horses, so I feel the catalog has actually risen in terms of quality, even if it's down on numbers."

Williams was speaking during a busy afternoon of inspections, with a broad cross section of domestic and international buyers trolling the stable yard. As well as major names from the British and Irish scene, there was a notable Scandinavian presence, with Williams noting that all lots have been entered for the 2020 Swedish Derby and Oaks series.

"We've got a good group of buyers in," he continued. "One of our initiatives was to enter the entire catalog in the Scandinavian Classics series—that's worked well for us and for the Scandinavian owners and trainers. They've been a real asset to our sale."

This year's breeze took place under clear skies and on quick ground, which was in stark contrast to the inclement conditions endured in the buildup to 2018's auction.

"Doncaster Racecourse have been absolutely brilliant in their preparation of the track for us. I don't think the surface could've been any better," Williams said. "It's quite amazing, as we had to put quite a lot of water down, whereas last year we had a heavy track. Thankfully, this year conditions were in our favor. Vendors were confident in the track, and I'm sure that will be reflected by the buyers come sale day.

"We had 58 individual 2-year-old winners come out of last year's sale—the most of any European breeze-up sale—and we've also sold the most Royal Ascot winners of any breeze-up sale in the last six years.

"We really pride ourselves on the quality of horse we offer here, and the level of quality of horses who breezed today is as good as we've ever had."

Among those who caught the eye during the breeze were the Malibu Moon  colt consigned by Powerstown Stud (Lot 100), Star Bloodstock's son of Society Rock (Lot 154), and the two lots by Kingman: a filly offered by Gaybrook Lodge Stud (Lot 127) and a colt offered by Brendan Holland's Grove Stud (Lot 79). 

"I'm happy with the morning's work," said Holland, who will also offer colts by Giant's Causeway and Ivawood. "Two breezed well, the other was a bit green, but they're all sound afterwards."

Holland also reported a cautious optimism among vendors.

"Traffic is good, so I think people are hopeful. We'll see how it translates into action at the sale. I wasn't at Ascot, but the clearance rate read well. I was at the Craven and did fine" he said. "We're talking about a different sale with different horses and different clients here, but at the moment it's a case of so far, so good."