Lady Aurora tops new point-to-point section at Goffs

Image © Healy Racing

The introduction of a point-to-point section for the first time within the Goffs February Sale produced a pair of six-figure sellers, headlined by Denis Murphy’s Lady Aurora.

The daughter of Muhtathir had been purchased by Murphy’s Ballyboy Stables for €50,000 at the 2024 edition of the Arkle sale, and she returned to the Kildare Paddocks ring after winning a five-year-old mares’ maiden at Ballyvodock.

The five-length winner was knocked down to agent Aubrey McMahon and Temple Bloodstock for €125,000, with Willie Mullins reported to be her likely new trainer.

“Very happy with the result of the filly - nice filly”, the Wexford handler said. “Aubrey bought her, and pretty sure he said that she was going to Willie Mullins, so she is going to a good home anyway.

“She is a nice filly, but she was quite a good-looking mare, good mover, good walker and by a great sire.”

Derek O’Connor was the first handler to offer a four-year-old maiden winner from the 2026 spring term at public auction, with his Onehellofalaugh appearing in the sales ring just four days after his winning debut.

The Postponed gelding had last changed hand in the public arena when purchased by Clive Early for just £3,500 at the Goffs UK January Sale in 2023.

British agent Dan Astbury secured the bay four-year-old for €100,000 following his five-length victory in Tallow.

“I’ve always bought foals from time to time, and I really liked this fellow,” O’Connor said. “I was in Doncaster in January and he was £3,500 from his breeder, Ryan Russell, so he has just done very well for me since, he has developed and grown, and I think there is a nice healthy profit there.

“My horse sold exceptionally well at €100,000, and I really appreciate Dan Astbury buying him. I feel that he is going to go on and win lots of races, he is a very reliable horse. 

“I’m delighted Dan bought him, just by coincidence, Dan saw him work about two weeks ago, and was very sweet on him since, so I think the fact that he put up such a performance in his point-to-point, I felt he was always going to buy him.”

The Goffs UK agent was also in the saddle aboard another pair of Tallow winners who found new homes at the sale. Garry Aherne’s High Kick Kev was sold to Cleaboy Stud for €60,000 after the son of Maxios opened his account at the third time of asking in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden, whilst Soldiers Trick, who made a winning debut in the confined maiden for Jimmy Mangan, will go into training with Donald McCain, after he was sold for €52,000.

Commenting at the conclusion of the Goffs February Sale, Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said:
“The new point-to-point section attracted a large group of buyers despite some pre-sale predictions and would have benefited from further entries if the weather had been kinder, have we ever seen a January as wet as this one, as we had more buyers than lots for the category, so ensuring a very competitive trade. 

“With a top price of €125,000, it made a good start to ensure it will become a regular feature of the sale in future. It just makes so much sense when we’re here and the handlers can do a day trip so, if we get more favourable weather in early 2027, it will only grow.”