The first two sessions of the Goffs Orby sale are now complete and trade has been consistent for the stock of young Darley stallions, with yearlings by Europe’s leading first-season stallions Shamardal and Dubawi naturally being much sought after.
Shamardal, sire of Sunday’s Goffs Million Mile winner Shakespearean, who was following up his victory in the G3 Solario Stakes at Sandown, had six yearlings sell for an average of €58,833. BBA Ireland and John Ferguson both bought colts for €80,000 from Glenvale Stud and Kilcarn Stud respectively.
Dubawi’s five youngsters sold brought an average of €76,200 and, given that he is already the sire of 24 individual winners this season, it’s easy to see why his yearlings have provoked so much interest. Top price among his offspring was lot 406, a colt from the Ballylinch Stud draft, who was knocked down to Shadwell for €140,000.
Exceed And Excel, whose daughter Shamandar won the valuable Watership Down Stud Sales Race on her last start and lines up for Friday’s G1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, continues to be an excellent source of juvenile talent and his five yearlings on offer throughout the first two sessions fetched an average of €62,800. Lot 116, a half-sister to the G2-winning sprinter Moss Vale, looks likely to be joining the Godolphin team for next season after being purchased for €180,000.
Cape Cross, whose son Sea The Stars bids to add yet another Group One to his outstanding season when he lines up as strong favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Sunday, had two six-figure yearlings through the ring. Shadwell struck for a colt out of a half-sister to Bachir (lot 207), who sold for €180,000, while the McKeever St Lawrence team was successful in securing lot 290, a filly out of dual Group Three winner Jazz Princess.
Iffraaj, whose dam Pastorale is a half-sister to Cape Cross, has his first runners on the track next year and they are already passing the commercial test in the sales ring. Six yearlings returned an average of €28,167 – more than double his covering fee for 2007 – with Mags O’Toole going to €40,000 for a colt out of the multiple winner and Group-placed mare Dance Clear.
Trainer Tim Easterby snapped up a first-crop daughter of Green Desert's son Byron for €29,000. The bay filly is a half-sister to five-time winner Balletic, by Noverre.
The sale continues today.
