The highest ever rated four-year-old Irish maiden point-to-point winner set a new auction record selling for £570,000 at the Goffs Yorton Sale yesterday (12 November).

Jonbon, the four-year-old brother to eight-time Grade One winner Douvan was knocked down to JP McManus following a bids from a number of hopeful prospective buyers.

The impressive French-bred gelding (Walk In The Park x Star Face), consigned by Ellmarie Holden of Coolmeen Stables, looked a picture of athleticism in the Welsh sunshine.

Bidding opened at £200,000 and zipped up to to £450,000 with barely a pause for breath for auctioneer Henry Beeby. There was a brief lull at the £475,000 point, before a jump from £480,000 to hit the half-million mark.

It looked for a moment as if £500,000 would be enough to secure him, but the numbers kept climbing and in the end it was JP McManus who clinched him over the phone for £570,000, setting a new record for the highest-priced pointer ever sold at public auction. The record was previously held by Flemenshill, who was sold to Tom Malone and Joe Tizarrd at the Cheltenham January sale in 2017 for £480,000.

“I have never known a horse to be as highly touted following its success in a point-to-point and, if social media polls are to be believed, then Jonbon was always set to make a significant price,” said Goffs UK managing director Tim Kent. “But to achieve a record price for a point-to-pointer during these unprecedented times is simply incredible.”

There was much talk about the youngster in the build up to the sale. He was sold for €140,000 (£125,680) as a three-year-old store and went on to win his first and only Irish point-to-point start at Dromahane on Sunday (8 November) by 15 lengths. He was awarded a record rating of 97+ for his performance, which is the highest rating achieved by any four-year-old maiden winner since ratings began.

“We are extremely grateful to the Holden family for putting their faith in Goffs and sending him to Yorton where he certainly lived up to the hype following his brilliant performance on Sunday,” added Mr Kent.

The second top lot was Fiddaun Farm’s four-year-old Shantou gelding Jim Key, who won his point-to-point debut at Lisronagh on Saturday (7 November) and sold to agent Hamish Macauley for £215,000.

Others to fetch six-figure sums were Bernice Stables’ Bold Endeavour, who was sold to trainer Laura Morgan for £190,000 and Monbeg Stables’ Undersupervision, knocked down to Twiston-Davies Equine for £130,000. Milestone Stables’ Starevitch sold to Tom Malone and Jamie Snowden for £105,000, with Riverside House Stud’s Balco Coastal selling to Highflyer Bloodstock for £100,000.

The highest priced of the three British point-to-pointers brought forward yesterday was Ahoy Senor, who won by more than 30 lengths at Kimble (1 November) on his second start, in a time just three seconds slower than the winning time in the men’s open that day. The five-year-old (Dylan Thomas x Dara Supreme) was consigned by Philip Rowley and knocked down to Scottish-based Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell for £50,000.

A total of the 46 of the 63 lots sold, giving a clearance rate of 73%, and an overall total of £3,046,500. The average price was £66,228 and the median £45,000.

“Jonbon was the highlight of the sale but we were delighted with the trade achieved throughout the day,” said Mr Kent.

“While we are not pretending that it wasn’t selective at times, today was an opportunity to provide an outlet for these recent winners and the feedback that we received has been extremely positive.”

He thanked James and Jean Potter, the Futter family and the Yorton team for hosting the sale.

“They have done a fantastic job to make room for us all and, once again, it has proven an outstanding facility which has worked fantastically well for vendors and buyers alike,” he said.

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“We also want to recognise, and say a huge thank you to, our vendors who took a leap of faith when agreeing to bring their horses to Yorton following the Covid-19 restrictions in Doncaster. The Yorton Sale only started last year, meaning some had seen the facilities in a sales environment but it was still new to many and we are extremely grateful for their support in this difficult year.

“In all, it has been a difficult few weeks as we juggled sale locations and lockdowns but we were determined to offer a vibrant market place where pointers could be placed in front of buyers from throughout the UK and Ireland and we have achieved that.”

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Top chasers Don Poli and Outlander are to be sold days ahead of the Grand National with entries to the feature race.

The popular National Hunt stars, who have both won a hat-trick of Grade One races, will go under the hammer at the 2019 Goffs UK Aintree Sale on the opening day of the Randox Health Grand National Festival (4 April).

Both are owned by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud and are trained by Co. Meath-based Gordon Elliott, who won the 2018 Grand National with Tiger Roll and in 2007 with Silver Birch.

“Don Poli and Outlander represent outstanding opportunities for new owners to purchase live chances in the Randox Health Grand National and also potential top-class hunter chasers for the future,” said Gigginstown House Stud’s Eddie O’Leary.

“Outlander also performs on better ground making him an ideal prospect for racing in America.”

Buyers who are already registered with the British Horseracing Authority will be able to change ownership in time for the Grand National two days later (Saturday, 6 April at 5.15pm).

The sale will take place in Aintree’s winners’ enclosure after racing.

Don Poli, who will carry 10st 13lb, is a two-time Cheltenham Festival winner, taking victories in the 2014 conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle before scoring the Grade One RSA Chase the following year (pictured, top). His other Grade One victories came in the 2014 Topaz Novice Chase at Leopardstown and the 2015 Lexus Chase at the same course.

The 10-year-old, by Poliglote, has won eight times under Rules, including beating 2015 Grand National hero Many Clouds in a listed chase at Aintree later that year. He also finished second to Cue Card in the Grade One Betfair Bowl at the 2016 Grand National meeting.

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The 11-year-old Outlander has won 10 of his 35 starts under Rules and will carry 11st over Aintree’s iconic spruce fences.

His Grade One wins came in the 2017 Champion Chase at Down Royal and Leopardstown’s Flogas Novice Chase and Lexus Chase both in 2016.

More entries for the sale will be released later this week.

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A record price of €3.2 million (£2.82m) was paid for a yearling at Goffs Orby Sale.

Phoenix Thoroughbreds are the proud new owners of the top lot, a filly by Galileo out of Green Room, who was the highest priced filly ever sold at Goffs.

The yearling, lot 318, was consigned by Ballylinch Stud on behalf of breeders Vimal and Gillian Khosla.

“We are delighted — there’s a little amount of relief as well, but we are delighted,” Ballylinch’s John O’Connor told Goffs TV guest presenter Rishi Perisad after the auction.

“We expected her to sell well and we are delighted to get the job done. It’s a little bit like watching a play unfolding in a certain sense, but it is our job to be professional and not to get too excited.

“We are delighted for [the breeders]— they are lovely owners who really love their horses, they want everything done really well, so they deserve every success they get.”

Amer Abdulaziz of Phoenix Thoroughbreds confirmed the filly will go into training with Karl Burke in Yorkshire, who trained her half-brother Lord Shanakill.

“A filly like that… you won’t get anything like it for the next 10 to 15 years,” he said. “She’s by a top sire who is getting old, out of a broodmare who has produced a lot of winners. She’s an amazing filly, it will be nice to have her racing in Phoenix colours.

“It was definitely love at first sight, I saw her this morning for the first time. I thought ‘let’s see her walk’ and she walks so athletically, like a beautiful lady, and that’s how it should be with these top fillies.”

Phoenix Throughbreds also bought lot 165, a Galileo sister to Alice Springs presented by Glenvale Stud, for €2 million (£1.76m) as well as four others on their successful Irish shopping trip.

The turnover, average and median prices were all up on the 2017 sale.

Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby said the sale reached “unprecedented heights”.

“To set a new record for a yearling filly at an Irish sale at €3.2 million was the highlight of a sale of tremendous highs,” he said.

“We are indebted to our vendors without whom we are nothing and I would especially single out Vimal and Gillian Khosla, the breeders of the top lot.

“[They] placed their faith in the Goffs service and were rewarded with the highest yearling price in the world so far this year for their gorgeous filly, who was so well presented by Ballylinch Stud.

“In addition we would like to extend our thanks to Ciaran Conroy’s Glenvale Stud and the vendors of the ‘other’ Galileo filly whose price of €2 million was also something quite special.”

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Mr Beeby added Goffs took the “conscious decision” to tighten catalogue numbers this year to “really focus on quality”.

“Our vendors sent us a stellar selection and we were delighted to welcome so many major buyers to Kildare Paddocks over the last few days,” he said.

“That HH Sheikh Mohammed made his first visit to Goffs for 13 years was a huge vote of confidence in Irish bloodstock and he joined his brother HH Sheikh Hamdan who has been such a great supporter for so many years.

“Our leading buyers Phoenix Thoroughbreds were a revelation in the sales ring and we hope their bold bidding is rewarded with top level success on the racecourse in future years.

“They have been a pleasure to do business with and their enthusiasm is infectious.”

He added thanks to MV Magnier, Coolmore and “each vendor of every lot” for choosing Goffs.

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A filly by Frankel has fetched €1.8m (£1.4m) — and was a record Irish sale.

The foal (pictured) was sold at the Goffs sale in Ireland yesterday (Thursday 20 November) and was also the most expensive foal sold in Europe in the past decade.

The filly is out of 10-year-old chestnut mare Finsceal Beo (by Mr Greeley and out of Musical Treat).

She was consigned by the Al Eile Stud and bought by Dermot Farrington Bloodstock for an unnamed Irish client.

“Sensational. Amazing. Historic,” said Henry Beeby of Goffs.

The filly is sister to leading Derby hope Ol’Man River, and was always going to be the jewel in the crown of the lots on offer.

Ol’ Man River — by Montjeu — also a fetched a hefty sum at sale — going for €.2.85m as a yearling at Goffs last year.

The total of Finsceal Beo’s progeny has now reached €5.45m. The mare won the 1,000 Guineas and Irish equivalent in 2007 when trained by Jim Bolger.

Although a high price, the European record for a foal belongs to Mr Typhoon — half sister to Galileo and Sea The Stars who sold for €1.8m at Tattersalls in 2002.

Frankel retired unbeaten in 14 races in 2012 and now stands at his owner Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Banstead Manor Stud, commanding a fee of £125,000 a cover.

The first offspring of the famous sire was sold for £1.15m in London at the Goffs sale in June.

The unnamed colt was sold along with dam, Crystal Gaze, at the inaugural Goffs London Sale, held at Kensington Palace.

The pair were bought by MV Magnier of Coolmore. The colt was born on 18 March and was consigned by Tweenhills Farm and Stud.

Four more Frankel foals will go under hammer next week 26 November – 29 November at Tattersalls in Newmarket.

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The first foal by Frankel to be sold at auction was bought today (Monday 16 June) for £1.15m.

The unnamed colt was sold along with his dam, Crystal Gaze, at the inaugural Goffs London Sale, held at Kensington Palace.

The mare is expecting her 2nd foal by Frankel early next year.

The pair were bought by MV Magnier of Coolmore.

“We’ve really enjoyed tonight’s sale and are delighted to have bought a such lovely a mare and foal,” he said. “The Coolmore team really like the look of the colt and we’re excited for the future.”

He added that the colt had been bought for a racing partnership with 4 people in it, and that it was too early to say where the horse will be trained.

The colt was born on 18 March and was consigned by Tweenhills Farm and Stud.

“As he is such a smashing foal and she is a lovely mare, I am very sad to see the pair go,” said David Redvers of Tweenhills.

“However, we are delighted with the interest it has generated and what it has done for the industry.”

Frankel retired unbeaten after 14 races in 2012, and commands a stud fee of £125,000.

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Racing royalty will be on show at Kensington Palace on Monday (16 June) as the first of Frankel’s offspring goes under the hammer.

At the Goffs London Sale, in association with QIPCO, a foal fathered by the unbeaten star will become the 1st in the world to be sold.

The unnamed colt (pictured above) will be the final lot of the inaugural auction on the eve of Royal Ascot and will be sold with his dam, Crystal Gaze.

The mare is expecting her 2nd foal by Frankel early next year.

The mare and foal are expected to sell for a 7-figure sum.

The colt was born on 18 March and will be paraded by Tweenhills Farm & Stud.

“He is a very handsome colt with huge presence and great action,” said Tweenhills owner David Redvers.

“He has what I would call a typical Frankel temperament in that he knows he is special and really owns the show. At this stage he looks like a speedy type, which is no surprise given his mother has bred some excellent sprint winners.”

Goffs’ Henry Beeby added: “It will be a day of 1sts. Goffs will hold the 1st thoroughbred racehorse sale in Central London, which will climax with the 1st foal by the greatest racehorse ever, Frankel, to be sold at public auction anywhere in the world. The sale location is stunning and so is the foal.”

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A new £500,000 bonus scheme has been launched to encourage racehorse buyers at breeze up sales this season.

Breeze up sales allow potential purchasers to judge for themselves prior to the sale how well a horse can gallop.

The first 40 winners of two–year-old maiden, conditional or stakes races worldwide bought from breeze up sales in Britain, Ireland and France in 2009 will each win an added £10,000 on top of the normal prize-money.

Twenty races carrying a £5,000 bonus are also available.

The breeze up Bonus is funded by the horses’ vendors and the sales companies and all seven breeze up sales in 2009 in Britain, Ireland and France are included.

The first chance to take advantage of the incentive is at Goffs Kempton Breeze Up on Friday, 6 March.

All 75 ready-to-race two-year-olds at the sale will be eligible for the new bonus.

Henry Beeby chief executive of Goffs said: “Prize-money remains the primary issue for buyers of racehorses and it is wonderful that vendors and auctioneers have worked together to address the challenge in such a proactive way.

“As the first breeze up of the season Kempton buyers are at a real advantage to benefit from the bonus scheme. This sale has a proven record of producing winners, many within just weeks of purchase, and there have been a very high number of individual buyers associated with these winners.”

Harry Findlay, joint owner of Gold Cup winning horse Denman, said: “I think it’s a great idea and on a mathematical basis, for anyone buying a horse at the right price it has to be a massive incentive.”

Leading sires represented in this year’s catalogue at the Goffs Kempton Breeze Up include Acclamation, Bahamian Bounty, One Cool Cat, Danehill Dancer, Elusive City, Exceed & Excel, Giants Causeway, Green Desert, Invincible Spirit, Khaleyf, Kyllachy, Nayef, Oasis Dream, One Cool Cat and Verglas.

For more information visit: www.goffs.com

Participating Breeze Ups are:

Goffs Breeze-up at Kempton (6 March)

Doncaster Breeze-up Sale (7- 8 April)

Tattersalls’ Craven Breeze-up sale (14 – 16 April)

Tattersalls’ Guineas Breeze-up sale 30th April – 1 May)

Arqana 2YO Breeze-up Sale (9 May)

Goffs Breeze-up at Dundalk (12 May)

Goresbridge Breeze-up Sale (25 May)

For more information visit: www.breezeupbonus.com

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now