Gross, average down at Goffs

The Goffs Orby yearling sale ended in Ireland on Thursday with declines as expected in the current era of economic downturns at Thoroughbred bloodstock auctions. But on a positive note, the median went up by just under four percent.

The three-session sale at Goffs headquarters in Kill, County Kildare, sold 499 yearlings for about $36,185,516, resulting in an average price of about $72,516 and a median of approximately $40,880.

This year's three-day sale replaced the Goffs Million and Sportsman's sales held in 2008. The 2009 Orby sale's gross was down 29 percent. The average was lower by 8 percent, and the median climbed 3.7 percent.

The buy-back rate was 18 percent.

Thursday's final session-topper was a Hurricane Run-Dance Troupe filly that Jim Bolger bought from Ennistown Stud. The price was about $146,000.

The overall sale-topper was a Giant's Causeway-Saoire filly that agent Tom Tate, representing Jim Hay, purchased Sept. 29. That price was about $693,500.