The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale concluded on Thursday with a daughter of Acclamation from Rathbarry Stud (Lot 625) took top billing at today’s Orby part 2 sale when selling to Paddy Twomey for €53,000. The filly is a half sister to Stakes winner Ceremonial Jade .

Commenting at the conclusion of the three day Orby Sale Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “Steady without being spectacular” is probably the most apt phrase to describe the last three days trade although so many buyers have also commented “the good ones are as hard as ever to buy”.

“Our global work to promote the catalogue is clear evidence that Goffs is, indeed, the gateway to the world for Irish horses and it is heartening that more and more breeders heed our call for the best each year. That so many British trainers converged on Goffs also demonstrates the quality of the catalogue and the enduring appeal of the Irish horse together with recognition of the value and customer service for which we are renowned.”

“To some a top price of ‚Ǩ350,000 may seem a disappointment after a high of ‚Ǩ950,000 last year and it is clear that the average has slipped marginally for that reason but it is noteworthy that the three day median price has risen by 3.4% illustrating the solidity of the market whilst a clearance rate of 79% (up 2 points) is a real triumph in the current climate.”

“The middle market between ‚Ǩ50,000 and ‚Ǩ200,000 was generally accepted to be the most competitive and that is borne out by the increased number surpassing the ‚Ǩ150,000 barrier (25 as opposed to 20 last year). Indeed to trade over ‚Ǩ22¬Ω million of horses against the backdrop of the headlines we have all endured in the eurozone countries in recent months is a definite positive and we continue to defy the gloom and doom that seems to dominate so much of our lives at the moment. It is probably also noteworthy that we catalogued more fillies than last year and a greater number of yearlings following a huge demand for places.”

A colt by Montjeu topped the opening session of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale on Tuesday when sold for €300,000 to Sir Robert Ogden. The colt is out of the stakes winner Mayano Sophia (Rock Of Gibraltar), a daughter of the 1,000 Guineas winner Tarascon.

“We have been here three days looking at horses,” Ogden’s racing manager Barry Simpson told the Racing Post, “and this was the nicest Montjeu that we have seen. He is an attractive colt with a solid pedigree. Sir Robert was giving instructions over the telephone.”

Trainer Paul Cole purchased a filly by Verglas for €210,000, a half-sister to the former dual champion Pipalong (Pips Pride).

“She’s been bought for Prince Faisal Salman. She is a very nice filly, from a great family,” said the trainer’s son Oliver. “Shehas everything you want to see, a real balanced type, and has been bought as a prospective broodmare for the stud.

“She looks as though she should be an early type – a real one for the Queen Mary,” he added. “She will eventually become a broodmare for the Prince’s Denford Stud.”