Havana Gold colt tops day two of the sale
The Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale finished in Doncaster on Wednesday with the top priced lot of the day being a colt by Havana Gold (Teofilo) out of the stakes placed mare Majestic Alexander (Bushranger). Offered by Mountarmstrong Stud as Lot 303 the colt is the fourth foal out of his dam who has produced three winners already including the stakes placed pair Mighty Spirit (Acclamation) and Angel Alexander (Dark Angel).
The colt was one of three six figure lots to sell on the day with Middleham Park Racing going to £110,000 to secure a filly by former Haunui Farm shuttler Showcasing (Oasis Dream) whilst Sackville Donald bought a Dark Angel (Acclamation) colt for £100,000.
The Starspangledbanner (Choisir) colt who topped Monday’s session at £170,000 remained the highest priced lot of the 2020 sale which saw 338 of the 403 lots offered sell for £11,503,500. The aggregate was down 38 per cent to £11,503,500 whilst the average fell 27 per cent to £34,034 and the median dropped 23 per cent to £27,000.
Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent commented: “Today concludes what has been one of the most anticipated Premier Yearling Sales in recent years, but not in the way that we normally prepare for a sale, and we share everyone’s collective relief that we have been able to conduct the sale and provide an opening to Europe’s yearling sales circuit during these difficult times.
“There is no doubting that trade across the last few days has not been straightforward, but the important thing is that horses are getting sold and the collective view from vendors and purchasers has been that this was a ‘good’ sale, even though ‘good’ may currently be difficult to quantify. We obviously missed some key faces who were active last year but there were a significant number of success stories over the last two days, including some spectacular pinhooks, and we must remember these moments as we reflect on what has been achieved.
“Despite the two days proving predictably difficult, we echo what has been said many times this week, that we are lucky to hold sales and continue to trade despite the challenges that face us and our industry. It has been encouraging to see so many people descend on Doncaster for the sale and to see a respectable clearance rate upheld over the two days. Full credit goes to our vendors who have adapted to the market to facilitate trade and we now look forward to the Goffs Sportsman’s and Orby Sale which will take place in Doncaster at the end of this month. See you there.”