The sister to Investec Oaks winner Forever Together (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 318) topped Goffs Orby Day 2 at €3.2 million. She now holds the accolade of being the highest-priced yearling in the world this year, and also holds the record price for a yearling filly at Goffs.
“The more complete a package you have the more relaxed you are and I felt pretty relaxed in this particular case as she’s just done everything we wanted her to do,” said Ballylinch Stud’s managing director John O’Connor. “She has the pedigree: by an outstanding sire, from an outstanding dam, and she’s a superb walker and a great individual."
"She's a superb walker and a great individual." - Ballylinch's John O'Connor on the top- priced filly
“The funny thing is that I used to own this mare once upon a time,” said Dermot Farrington, who signed for the filly on behalf of Phoenix Thoroughbreds. “She’s done it time after time. Her first foal was Lord Shanakill and then she’s produced those two fantastic fillies by Galileo."
The strength of the market over the last two days was the source of much discussion, with a number of potential purchasers finding it tougher to buy the horses on their lists.
Mark Richards and Grant Pritchard-Gordon, acting for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, signed for two colts during the second session. A Holy Roman Emperor colt (lot 337) for €300,000 and Exceed And Excel (Aus) colt (lot 352) €360,000.
Richards concurred with the general feeling at the sale, saying, “It’s been very strong and it’s been hard to buy the horses we wanted. Nice horses here are making plenty but we’re delighted with the two we’ve bought today.”
Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby was understandably delighted with the results. "We are indebted to our vendors without whom we are nothing, and I would especially single out Vimal and Gillian Khosla, the breeders of the top lot, who placed their faith in the Goffs service and were rewarded with the highest yearling price in the world so far this year for their gorgeous filly who was so well presented by Ballylinch Stud." said Beeby.
"In addition we would like to extend our thanks to Ciaran Conroy’s Glenvale Stud and the vendors of the ‘other’ Galileo filly whose price of €2 million was also something quite special.”
The tightened catalogue certainly helped in achieving a clearance rate of 89% for the 327 horses sold from 369 offered. The overall average for the Orby was up by 22% to €132,948 and the median was given a similar boost, by 23%, to €80,000.
