Buyers from all around the world were in Ireland on Friday to take advantage of a once in a blue moon opportunity to buy mares from the Niarchos Family included in a stellar lineup that produced an extraordinary day of trade to open the Goffs November Mares Sale.
Some 194 lots changed hands at a clearance rate of 81%. Turnover soared by 153% to €39,507,500, the average skyrocketed by 166% to €203,647 and the median increased by 5% to €44,000.
The €6 million record price for a thoroughbred sold at auction in Ireland, achieved by Chicquita at Goffs ten years ago, was equalled not once but twice.
The Niarchos family and Coolmore have enjoyed a wonderful association for the best part of half a century, partnering on yearlings in the 1980s and high-class horses such as Circus Maximus and Yucatan more recently.
It was always seemed logical that Coolmore would try to purchase some of the biggest names in The Niarchos Draft, and indeed the operation’s MV Magnier gave €19 million for the four top lots.
The outstanding half-sisters Alpine Star (Lot 1240) and Alpha Centauri (Lot 1263) made an Irish record-equalling €6 million each, while fellow Group 1 heroine Albigna (Lot 1212) cost €3.7m. That Which Is Not, the Listed-winning dam of Irish Derby runner-up Piz Badile (Lot 1260), was bought for €3.3m.
“The whole Niarchos family are incredible breeders and very close, special friends of ours for a very long time,” said Magnier. “We’re very happy we can get such good mares from them and try to continue their legacy.
“These kinds of mares don’t come on the market very often and we’re just very lucky that we’ve got very good partners who are willing to support us in buying these sorts of mares.”
Magnier was full of praise for the draft, saying: “In fairness to Henry Beeby and all the team, over the whole year they’ve done incredibly. Be it the Orby Sale, the foal sale earlier in the week or the crowd they’re getting here for this. Credit where it’s due, they’ve done a very good job.”
Alpine Star, in foal to Frankel, and Alpha Centauri, in foal to Sea The Stars, descend from the Niarchos family’s immortal mare Miesque. Albigna, in foal to St Mark’s Basilica, is related to Breeders’ Cup Mile hero Domedriver, while That Which Is Not, in foal to Frankel, is out of champion Shiva, a half-sister to Oaks winner Light Shift.
