Reformatting reaps rewards with strong trade in foal opener

Goffs’ decision to reformat their November Foal Sale prompted a competitive opening session to the auction on Monday, one that featured 11 foals who broke the €50,000 barrier led by a No Nay Never colt that commanded €85,000.

Monday's trade was the equivalent to the third session of the 2016 renewal and if compared directly, was a day that yielded healthy gains in every key area including average price, which rose by 15 per cent to €21,324.

Tom Whitehead of Powerstown Stud landed the day’s top foal, a colt from the second crop No Nay Never bred and sold by Highpark Bloodstock.

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His sale turned a notable profit for Highpark, who paid just €6,000 for his dam Dacio, a Harlan’s Holiday half-sister to the Group 3-placed Absolute Music, at Goffs in November 2014.

“He’s a nice colt by a very good two-year-old,” said Whitehead. “The Scat Daddy element is working very well over here and hopefully No Nay Never will go on to work well too.”

Busy day for Ballyphilip

It was also a productive day for Paul and Marie McCartan of Ballyphilip Stud, who came away with three pinhook prospects for next year led by a Tamayuz colt who led proceedings for much of the day at €80,000. Bred by the 'High Rollers' and sold through Ringfort Stud, he is a half-brother to dual winner Redicean and out of Red Halo, a Galileo mare from the further family of Grade 1 winner Luas Line.

"He's by a stallion who is well established as a Group 1 sire,” said Paul McCartan after outbidding Tally-Ho Stud among others. “He was actually the first foal I saw when I arrived on Saturday morning and he did nothing but improve with showing.”

Jake Warren: at Goffs to support the first crop of Highclere Stud sire Cable BayCredit: Peter Mooney

Tally-Ho Stud were later more successful in their pursuit of a colt from the first crop of Cable Bay. Widely regarded as one of the potential highlights of the day, the colt lived up to his billing by selling for €75,000 to justify the decision of his breeders Highclere Stud to send him across the Irish Sea to sell at Goffs.

Norelands Stud offered the colt, who is the first foal out of Coin A Phrase, a Dubawi daughter of Grade 2 winner French Bid.

“We bought the mare last year to send to Cable Bay,” said Jake Warren of Highclere Stud, “and it just so happened that she was in foal to him at the time. Cable Bay is getting stock like himself - they’re consistently well balanced, strong foals and this colt was always a standout. Having bought mares to send to him, it’s exciting to get a result like this.”

Tally-Ho’s acquisitions also included a Camelot grandson of Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial winner Baliyana from Ryebridge Stud who cost €68,000.

Harry Sweeney: signing for a welcome new name on the buyers list, Darley JapanCredit: Peter Mooney

“We came here thinking that we'd take a punt on Camelot," said Roger O’Callaghan of Tally-Ho Stud, “and this is a good colt with a nice page."

His price was later almost matched by a Raven’s Pass colt from Sandra Russell who made €66,000 to Darley Japan, a welcome new name on the buyers sheet.

Family appeal for Railton

A return to familiar territory prompted Jamie Railton to go to €65,000 for a daughter of Night Of Thunder from Shanaville Stables. The first foal by her 2,000 Guineas-winning sire to pass through a ring this year, the filly hails from the famous Time Charter family cultivated to great effect in recent years by Robert Barnett, who has sold his stock through Railton’s consignment for a number of years.

It also didn’t hurt that the filly boasted a notable update as a half-sister to recent Bosra Sham Stakes third All Out. The pair are out of Time Over, a half-sister to the Musidora Stakes winner Time Away and a granddaughter of none other than champion Time Charter herself.

"I sell everything out of this family, so I know it very well," said Railton. "It's a really good filly family and the half-sister [All Out] is good - she was third recently in the Bosra Sham Stakes. I also like the idea of the sire."

The sale continues on Tuesday at 10am.

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