Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock advisor John Ferguson purchased at Dubawi filly for 950,000 euros (AUD $1.33 million) to top Day 2 of Goffs Orby yearling sale on Wednesday. Kilcarn Stud offered the daughter of red-hot sire Dubawi out of the regally bred winner Spirit of Tara (Sadler’s Wells).
Spirit of Tara is a sister to champion filly Salsabil who was a G1 winner of the Irish Derby, English Oaks, English 1000 Guineas, Prix Marcel Boussac and Prix Vermeille.
Spirit of Tara has already foaled the stakes winners Akarem (Kingmambo) and Echo Of Light (Dubai Millennium). The latter topped the 2003 Orby Sale when bought by Ferguson for 1.20 million euros.
Coolmore principal John Magnier paid 550,000 euros (AUD 771,500) for an Invincible Spirit – Saoire (Pivotal) colt from the draft of Cahermorris Stables. The colt’s dam was a G1 winner of the 2005 Irish 1000 Guineas and she was also responsible for the 475,000 euros Orby sales topping filly last year. Now named Pink Diva (Giant’s Causeway), she was bought by trainer Tom Tate after a bidding duel with Coolmore’s Demi O’Byrne.
Magnier also secured a 260,000 euros (AUD 364,710) Galileo colt from 1998 Irish 1000 Guineas winner in Tarascon (Tirol).
“Quality horses have sold very well,” Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby said. “The market has been slightly more selective but the Irish breeders who brought their best horses here have been rewarded.”
The sale has declined marginally compared to last year. A total of 305 horses have averaged 65,416 euros (AUD 91,760) which is down 2,500 euros from the 2009 figure.