A revised format for the Goffs November Sale, saw the auction begin with the three strongest days of foals which produced a turnover of just over €25.5m, representing a 43% progression on last year. An average of €47,693 finished 22% ahead of last year while the median improved by 8% to €27,000. The clearance rate rose from 74% to 81%.

There were 56 six-figure transactions which was almost double last year’s tally. Trade in the middle market was robust to say the least as evidenced by 123 foals making between €30,000 and €50,000.

In all this sale represented a heartening week for many breeders and it provided a good deal more cause for encouragement than last year’s sale.

Galileo dominated the top lots for the week. The sale’s top priced foal and the joint second highest priced foal to be sold in Ireland was a €1.1m Galileo own-sister to the Melbourne Cup second Johannes Vermeer and the Group 2 winner Elizabeth Browning.

She was bought by English agent Hugo Lascelles for American interests who will race the filly in England.

Part two of the foal section took place over the weekend and this was a more sombre affair but the clearance rates for this part of the sale did pick up from last year and it was notable how many pinhookers turned out for the weekend’s offerings.

Overall the week’s events would suggest that this new format represents the way forward for this sale.

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