International trade sees Kildare venue pack an economic punch

RACING GOFFS ORBY SALES:EVERYWHERE ELSE there may be talk of double-dip recessions, half a million unemployed, IMF on the doorstep and fears that Ireland Inc is doomed to be an economic basket case forever but you wouldn't have known any of that in a tiny corner of Kildare yesterday.

This country’s premier yearling sale, the Goffs Orby at Kill, began vigorously and promises to continue packing an economic punch today as the sales ring next to the M7 maintains its impression of a financial incubator – influenced by, but still crucially separate from, outside anxiety.

“I don’t know where the money is coming from but it’s there. It’s good trade. If you want a good horse, you have to pay for it,” declared veteran trainer Kevin Prendergast. Since Prendergast saddled the 2,000th winner of a near 50-year training career last week, it can be safely deduced it takes a lot to surprise him. But he wasn’t alone.

“There’s a pretty good international trade. That means plenty of exports, which is good for Ireland. I’m pleasantly surprised,” said his colleague Dermot Weld who coughed up €135,000 for a colt by Footstepsinthesand.

Others maintained that business was quite selective and there was certainly no repeat of the million euro paid out for the 2008 sale-topper. The joint-top price paid yesterday was Coolmore’s €300,000 for a filly by the sire of the moment Galileo who was submitted by the former Kerry Group chairman, and head of Horse Racing Ireland, Denis Brosnan. “She’s a gorgeous filly, a fabulous mover, and the sire speaks for himself,” said buyer Demi O’Byrne.

The other €300,000 lot was by the first season sire Teofilo, a son of Galileo, bought by the English owner Sir Robert Ogden, whose racing manager Barry Simpson said: “He’s an exciting type of horse who Sir Robert liked in particular.”

That international element was vital yesterday. The horse world has decamped to Kill for its annual sale which sees two days of the best yearling prospects in Ireland lining up to be sold, followed by a bunch of lesser lights tomorrow.

That action could see a more accurate reflection of Ireland’s current financial woes as it was international money that appeared to boost yesterday’s activity.

“We’ve always been an export-driven market and it’s like a league of nations here; Singaporeans, Japanese, Russians, Germans, Hong Kong. There’s a lot of positivity,” said Dermot Cantillon whose Tinnakill House Stud consigned eight horses to the sale.

Cantillon and his wife, Meta, sold the Classic hope Casamento to Sheikh Mohammed at Goffs when he was a foal two years ago and they believe the horse business could be on the up again while everything else here appears resolutely set on remaining on its uppers.

“If we can get this year out of the way, I’d be confident we’ll be okay,” Cantillon added. “The main production cost in horses is the nomination fee to a stallion and these yearlings were conceived at 2008 nomination prices. Now there’s been a correction, there’s a very good chance horses will come back up quicker than other commodities.”

Encouragingly for Goffs plenty of other familiar faces were back yesterday including Sheikh Hamdan from Dubai’s ruling Maktoum family. He paid €130,000 for a Pivotal filly submitted by Cantillon.

However, it was local agent Bobby O’Ryan, purchaser of a couple of horses by another first-season sire, Dark Angel, who summed up the positive mood: “This is a good sale. I’ve never been busier in my life. To hell with the recession!”

Top 10 prices

Lot 12 from Croom House Stud, filly Galileo-Winning Sequence, D O’Byrne, €300,000.

Lot 179 Hawthorn Villa Stud, colt Teofilo-Hundred Year Flood, Sir R Ogden, €300,000

Lot 125 Camas Park Stud, colt Oasis Dream-Whisper To Dream, A Cole, €250,000.

Lot 156 Lodge Park Stud, filly Galileo-Grecian Dream, Cheveley Park Stud, €240,000

Lot 158 Barouche Stud, colt Medaglia d’Oro-Greeley Appealling, Sir R Ogden, €240,000.

Lot 59 Churchtown House Stud, filly Dylan Thomas-Bright Bank, Blandford Bloodstock, €220,000.

Lot 9 Clare Castle, colt Danehill Dancer-West Brooklyn, D O’Byrne, €200,000.

Lot 137 Norelands Stud, colt Acclamation-Filandre, Sir R Ogden, €160,000.

Lot 105 Kilboy Estate, colt Dynaformer-Demure, Dwayne Woods, €150,000.

Lot 190 Marlhill House Stud, filly Hurricane Run-Intizaa, BBA Ireland, €145,000.