Some of the best-bred bloodstock anywhere on planet earth is set to come under the hammer during the Goffs Orby Sale, which begins its two-day Book 1 run at 10 a.m. Sept. 28.
The 482-lot catalog contains siblings to 22 group 1 winners. Chief among these is the Justify half sister to Minnie Hauk (Frankel ) (Lot 154), who topped the 2023 Orby at €1,850,000 before landing the Epsom Oaks (G1), as well as the Irish and Yorkshire equivalents, for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners.
The first day alone features siblings to the likes of Emily Upjohn, Folsom Blues, Great Barrier Reef, and Saffron Beach, to name but a few. There is also a Baaeed half sister to Goliath (Lot 27), who registered his third group 1 in the Preis von Europa (G1) Sept. 27 at Cologne.
There are also seven yearlings who boast a group 1-winning dam, notably the Frankel colt out of six-time top-level scorer Laurens (Lot 97).
While the Orby is long established as a blue-chip event, the aforementioned inclusions have contributed to a significant increase in quality.
Last year's sale posted new records for average and median prices at €133,570 and €95,000 respectively. Goffs group chief executive Henry Beeby said that breeders had taken notice of the upward trajectory and reacted accordingly.
"We've had a very consistent run at this sale since Covid, and we've steadily built on solid foundations," Beeby said. "That's resonated and, as a group, Irish breeders have really got behind us.
"We've always said to Irish breeders, if you send us at least a share of your best, we will deliver, because when we get the horses, we do. Happily, people have stepped up to the mark this year."
Asked whether the enhanced offering meant enhanced pressure, Beeby said: "That's possibly a fair thing to say. If you don't deliver, it can feel like one step forward and two steps back. By the same token, every sale is important.
"It's like every match at the World Cup, whatever the sporting discipline, is an important one; if you don't win, you're out. You have to play each match as it comes, and this is the latest one. It's not just important to us, it's important to the Irish breeders. This is the Irish National Yearling Sale, and it's called that with justification."
Despite being referred to in those terms, there have been times in the not-too-distant past when breeders would have taken a similar-caliber yearling elsewhere, including to the Orby's chief market rival, the Tattersalls October Sale. While the Newmarket auction remains the market-leading outlet for European yearlings, Beeby said he has been "humbled" by breeders' increased backing.
"It's always been a frustration (to see Irish yearlings heading to other sales)," he said. "But the ante has been upped this year and people have given us more support than they've been able to in the past. It's very gratifying, but it's worth nothing unless we deliver."
Beeby said he has been buoyed by the feedback to the catalog, and not only by those on deck at Goffs.
"I believe the catalog is as good as it's ever been in living memory. Hopefully the buyers will agree," Beeby said.
There could have been few better or more timely illustrations of the caliber of stock on offer than Orthodox. The son of Havana Grey changed hands for €175,000 12 months ago and rewarded Clive Cox and owner Jason Goddard by winning the Tattersalls-backed Middle Park Stakes (G1) Sept. 26. Just to underline the point, Orthodox got the better of another Orby graduate in Amo Racing's Force Noir.
The result capped what Beeby described as an "enormous" afternoon for the Goffs group, with Doncaster's star graduate Sun Goddess landing her third group 1 in the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) before Trean, a €20,000 purchase by Kevin Ross, scooped first prize of €500,000 in the Goffs Million.
"If I could've written a script for Saturday, I couldn't have written it better," Beeby said. "Sun Goddess is very dear to us, especially me after winning Harry's Half Million, as well as three group 1s. She's a freak, and we're very proud of her.
"Then for Orthodox to beat Force Noir in the Middle Park was sensational. I'm delighted for Clive and his owner, as well as Kia (Joorabchian) and Robson (Aguiar). It's wonderful."
Asked what he would deem a success for this year's Orby Sale, Beeby said: "Anything that's in the region of last year's figures, or better, is a success.
"It's not just about the end-of-sale figures, though. What really matters is: are the vendors happy? If they're happy, they'll back us again, and maybe they'll do even more next time. We broke records at the sale last year, and if we can match that, or get close to it, we'll be pleased."
