New records set at Goffs Aintee Sale

Image © Goffs UK

With a high-class line-up of pointers catalogued for the 2026 Goffs Aintree Sale, hopes were high for a strong renewal, and it did not disappoint with a new record set of figures across the board.

With 26 of the 30 lots offered finding new homes, the sale achieved a record turnover of £3,873,000 whilst the average and median also reached new heights, finishing at £148,962 and £127,500 respectively.

Topping this evening’s sale was Sean Doyle’s Monksgrange four-year-old winner Wordfromhome, a son of Poet’s Word who put in a striking performance to land his debut in the fastest time of the day and was purchased by Highflyer Bloodstock and Paul Nicholls for £320,000.

That outfit clearly viewed that race strongly as they later went on to snap up Mark Scallan’s Road To Destiny, who had finished second to the sales-topper following a protracted battle at the Wexford venue. The pair signed for him at £200,000.

Colin Bowe has sold numerous top horses at the Aintree Sale, including the sale’s first Grade 1 winner in Samcro, and he produced another highlight from Monksgrange, with his four-year-old mare, Royal Response, knocked down to Jerry McGrath Bloodstock and Nicky Henderson for £290,000. Bowe also sold his debut Ballynoe winner Jurys Verdict to Gerry Hogan Bloodstock for £260,000.

A total of eight Irish point-to-point horses were sold for £200,000 or more, with others including Brian Lawless’ unlucky Castlelands final-fence faller, Max Potential, who was sold to Tom Malone Bloodstock for £280,000.

Ger Quinn’s Kirkistown winner Lou Prince joined Olly Murphy after he realised £240,000. That was also the price that Rob James’ Monksgrange runner-up, Final Verdict, also changed hands for and she will now go into training with Harry Derham, whilst Mags O’Toole snapped up Denis Murphy’s Ballyknock runner-up, Stromy Wind, for £235,000.

Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent commented:

“What a way to finish a fantastic day's racing at Aintree. A strong selection of horses generated a vibrant parade ring atmosphere and returned records across the board for turnover, average and median. 

“We felt coming into the sale that we had a strong bunch of horses, and we were hopeful of decent returns, but today has exceeded our expectations. We were inundated with inspections yesterday and this continued earlier today which was a positive sign and to see that translate into the trade received tonight is very pleasing.

“We would like to extend our thanks to the vendors who supported this sale and we are delighted to have delivered world-class prices for their horses – we can’t do it without them. To our buyers, we extend the very best of luck and we hope to see you in the winners’ enclosure here at Aintree in the coming years. As ever, we would also like to extend our gratitude to the Aintree Executive who are so supportive of this fantastic event.” 

Offered: 30        
Sold: 26 (87%)
Aggregate: £3,873,000 (8%)
Average: £148,962 (17%)
Median: £127,500 (21%)