Goffs two-day Orby Sale produced an historic quartet of seven-figure lots, headed by a €2m daughter of Raven’s Pass, but still couldn’t quite keep pace with last year’s returns.

At the top of the market, demand was strong as evidenced by the four horses that made €1m or more and a total of 120 yearlings made at least €100,000.

Elsewhere, trade was quite selective, reflected in an average that dropped by 4% to €104,433 and a €62,000 median, which represented a decrease of 11 points.

The clearance for the two days came in at 86%, while the aggregate of just under €39m represented an improvement on last year.

Like so many Orby Sale-toppers of the past, the €2m daughter of Raven’s Pass hailed from Pat O’Kelly’s Kilcarn Stud. The half-sister to two previous Orby top lots is also a granddaughter of the great Flame Of Tara.

The Raven’s Pass filly was bought by Moyglare Stud, who also spent €350,000 on a daughter of Dark Angel and filled the role of underbidders on a Galileo filly, who made €1.05m.

The first day was headed by an outstanding filly from the first crop of Frankel, consigned by Noel O’Callaghan’s Mountarmstrong Stud. She was bought by the China Horse Club and she has the distinction of being the first filly produced by O’Callaghan’s outstanding multiple Group 1-winning racemare Alexander Goldrun.

The other millionaires were both by Galileo. The first of these was a €1.2m colt who was bought in partnership by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and English owner Steve Parkin.

Meanwhile, agent Oliver St Lawrence, acting for Bahrain-based Fawzi Nass, outlasted Moyglare for a Galileo filly from Kirsten Rausing’s Staffordstown.

CURRAGH RACING

The Curragh racecourse and Irish Defence Forces will stage its annual race day on Sunday 11 October, featuring seven races starting at 1.25pm, including the €100,000 Tote Irish Cesarewitch and Waterford Testimonial Stakes for the Defence Forces Trophy.

There will be great spectacle and pageantry throughout the afternoon from the army, navy and air corps with displays of current and vintage equipment, memorabilia and music, while the The Ireland/France World Cup rugby match will be shown on screens following the last race at 4.45pm and anyone wearing an Irish rugby jersey will gain free admission.

The 2015 Curragh season finishes on 13 October, with a competitive seven race programme featuring free admission for all.