by Mike Curry

The three-day Goffs Million yearling sale concluded Wednesday with declines in total receipts and average price.

Goffs reported 592 of 655 yearlings as sold for $45,481,830 (32,353,000 euros) in total receipts, a 39.9% decline from the 2007 Goffs Million sale. Average price plummeted 34% to $102,436 (72,867 euros).

“Fourteen Goffs Group 1 wins, four Classics, two Derbies, and two brand new Goffs millionaires on Sunday. That was the backdrop to this week’s Million Sale and we were hopeful of a trade that would come close to last year’s solid renewal,” Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby said. “However, who could have predicted the scale of the worldwide financial meltdown that took place on Monday with the worst financial crisis since the 1920s?

“In those circumstances, we have been pleasantly surprised at the measured calm and determination of our loyal vendors who have worked with us to produce another catalog of potential winners.”

Demi O’Byrne, bloodstock adviser for associates of Coolmore, purchased the sale topper on Tuesday. O’Byrne went to $1,408,099 (1-million euros) to secure a Danehill Dancer full sister to multiple Group 1 winner Mastercraftsman.

Out of the winning Black Tie Affair (Ire) mare Starlight Dreams, the sale topper also is a half sister to Grade 3 winner Genuine Devotion (Ire). The Danehill Dancer filly was consigned by Ashtown Stud House.

After precipitous declines in both total sales and average price at the first two sessions, the downward trends continued Wednesday. Compared with the third session in 2007, total receipts dipped 45.4% to $12,356,977 (8,790,000 euros) and average dropped 40.8% to $87,020 (61,901 euros) on Wednesday.

Yearlings by Galileo (GB) accounted for five of the ten highest-priced yearlings at the sale, and the final session was topped by a Galileo filly. Blandford Bloodstock purchased the bay filly for $477,971 (340,000 euros) from the consignment of Oaks Farm Stables.

Out of multiple group stakes-placed stakes winner Claxton’s Slew, by Seattle Slew, the session topper is a half sister to 1998 champion older female Escena, Group 2 winner Humbel, and Grade 3 winner Showlady.

The Goffs Million yearling sale is followed by the one-day Goffs Sportsman’s yearling sale on Thursday.

Yearlings sold at the Goffs Million sale are eligible for a lucrative two-year-old race in 2009 sponsored by the sale company, one for fillies and one for colts and geldings. The purses for the 2008 Goffs Million races were $2,338,080 each.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor