Twin thoroughbred foals to make history at Goffs sale

Twin thoroughbred foals will go under the hammer at Goffs next week for the first time in the Irish bloodstock auctioneer’s history.

The twins — both colts — will be lots 486 and 487 at the November foal sale from 17-21 November.

Chief executive of Goffs Henry Beeby said: “We are very excited about it — they are two attractive colts and should draw plenty of interest.”

The twins are by French-based sire Orpen, who won the Group 1 Prix Morny in 1998 while in training with Aidan O’Brien, out of the winning mare Fancied, by Dominion.

They were born on 6 March and bred by Michael Finn from Drummond, County Kilkenny.

Mr Finn told H&H: “They are exactly the same — they are perfect, a lovely pair of horses.”

Twin colts are rare.

Sam Wallace from Weatherbys said: “We do register twins, but only one or two sets a year. These two are the only twins this year.”

Vet Karen Coumbe added: “This is most unusual. Twins are often poor specimens, so the fact that these are robust enough to make it to a public sale is very impressive and shows good management.”

Mr Finn said: “This is a first for me — I’d never seen a pair of live twins. We’ve been due them before, but one has always died before birth.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (13 November, ’08)

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