Apple’s Jade has become the “most expensive National Hunt in history” after she sold for €530,000 at auction earlier this month.
Noel and Valerie Moran’s Bective Stud secured the 11-time Grade 1 winner at Goffs’ December National Hunt Sale.
Apple’s Jade, property of Gigginstown House Stud, sold in-foal to Walk In The Park, the sire of the previous sale day’s top-priced foal, an €82,000 colt from Yellowford Farm (Lot 70).
Speaking on the day following the sale, a spokesperson said: “The strong foal trade continued throughout today’s final session which was headed by a beautifully bred daughter of Flemensfirth from Ballyreddin Stud, lot 288.
“A sister to the Grade 2 hurdle and chase winner Irish Saint, she sold to Rathmore Stud for €80,000.”
Apple’s Jade
Reflecting on a “vibrant” two days at the December NH Sale, Goffs Group Chief Executive, Henry Beeby, said:
“To hold the first thoroughbred sale in Ireland on its scheduled date since the outbreak of Covid-19 is noteworthy in itself.”
“Like everyone in the country, we have endured a truly torrid time and approached the sale with a degree of trepidation. Could we even conduct the sale and, if so, how would it measure up?”
“On behalf of all the team at Goffs, I want to thank everyone – vendors, purchasers, sales staff, vets, caterers, Covid stewards – for their support, forbearance, help and understanding over the last few days.”
“We have managed to conduct a sale in as near to traditional format as possible whilst respecting and implementing a whole range of protocols to ensure Kildare Paddocks was safe and compliant at all times.”
“We salute the patience of all attendees and their acceptance of one-way systems, number restrictions, social distancing, compulsory facemasks and the rest.”
“This is not the way we like to ‘welcome’ visitors to our sales, but this is truly a time of ‘needs must’. So to the business, we have been both relieved and delighted with the strength and depth of the two days, which was good enough to feel ‘normal’.”
“Indeed, there has been fierce competition for the superb bunch of foals with, which we were entrusted by our vendors and to end up with a set of figures that were anywhere near last year’s excellent results, never mind ahead, is such a relief.”
“Again, we are so grateful to our vendors who are supporting us with increasing numbers of their best bred NH youngsters. We are nothing without them, and their support has allowed us to grow this sale into a catalogue of market-leading potential.”
€530,000 new record for NH mare
“And then there’s Apple’s Jade. We were truly honoured to be entrusted with her by Michael and Eddie O’Leary, and simply overjoyed that she lived up to her star billing.”
“Her price of €530,000 obliterates the record for an NH mare to ensure her appearance in the sales ring absolutely matched up to her racecourse reputation.”
“We look forward to seeing her progeny carry on her mighty legacy, perhaps even in the Goffs sales ring en route to big-race success.”
Summary
Offered | Sold | Turnover (€) | Average
(€) |
Median
(€) |
Top
(€) |
|
2019 | 492 | 347 (71%) | 4,904,200 | 14,133 | 10,500 | 72,000 |
2020 | 434 | 312
(72%) |
4,520,000
(-8%) |
14,487 (+2.5%) | 10,000
(-4%) |
82,000 |
Offered | Sold | Turnover
(€) |
Average (€) | Median
(€) |
Top
(€) |
|
2019 | 524 | 367 (70%) | 5,291,850 | 14,419 | 10,500 | 72,000 |
2020 | 460 | 326 (71%) | 5,219,100
(-1.4%) |
16,010
+11% |
10,000
(-4%) |
530,000 |