Last week we saw the Goffs Sale take place in London for 2023. This sale saw 11 of the 21 lots sold with the highest lot selling for £1,100,000.00 ($2,096,853.28 AUD). This year many Australians were present with many racing figures attending the sale.
A Bit Of History
The London Goffs Sale is an exclusive sale held in the beautiful Kensington Palace Gardens. This sale has been the lead-up to the start of the Royal Ascot since 2014. This sale has seen many stakes winners, such as Knights Order, Alcohol Free, and Military Mission. The 2023 sale also gave buyers a chance to purchase a horse and have it race in their colours that same week at Royal Ascot.
Australia Well Represented
While there were many elite buyers from all around the world, this year saw many Australians in attendance. This year saw the likes of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, James Harron, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Michelle Payne, and Ben Hayes. We also had a few representatives for Aussies back home such as Billy Mitchell, Hubie De Burgh, and Johnny McKeever (McKeever Bloodstock).
Securing A Bargain
The team of Gai and Adrian, with the help of agent Johnny McKeever, came out with two purchases from the sale. Gai has been very active at this sale in the past with purchases such as Surf Dancer (IRE) and Knights Order (IRE). The first purchase was a colt by the name Cuban Dawn (IRE). He is by Darley stallion Teofilo (IRE) out of an unraced mare named Dawn Of Day (IRE). This colt is still a maiden and he was purchased for £300,000 ($571,246.66 AUD).
Their second purchase was a gelding called New Endeavour (IRE). He is by the stallion New Bay (GB) out of the mare Moody Blue (IRE). He is already a winner over seven furlongs so he should have an interesting career in Australia. This gelding was snapped up for a price of £260,000 ($495,161.80 AUD).
Ciaorn Maher and David Eustace found themselves the underbidders on the top lot. Lot 8 Givemethebeatboys (Bungle Inthejungle) was purchased for £1,100,000 (($2,096,853.28 AUD). Trained by Jessica Harrington he was purchased by Bronson Racing. He ran the next day at Royal Ascot in the Group 2 Coventry’ Stakes and finished fourth behind the handy River Tiber (Wooten Bassett).
Exciting Times Ahead
We can’t wait to follow these horses’ careers in Australia with their new owners and hope they have great success down under.