A Shergar yearling colt is sold for a new European record price of 3.1 million guineas at Goffs.
In 1983 a syndicate headed by ex-national hunt jockey Timmy Hyde of Camas Park Stud in Tipperary purchased a Shergar colt at bloodstock sales at Goffs in Kill, County Kildare. The sale broke the European foal price of 325,000 guineas and attracted worldwide attention.
The colt grew and improved, and has been acclaimed by breeding experts as the most impressive of the Shergar yearlings offered for auction.
At auction the colt sets a new European record for a yearling, selling for 3.1 million guineas at a packed Goffs Sales Paddock at County Kildare. Lot 19, the only Shergar colt in the catalogue is bought by agent 'Tote' Cherry-Downs on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed, outbidding Vincent O'Brien.
Timmy Hyde is not surprised by this record-breaking transaction. He hopes the yearling can go on to emulate the success of Shergar in the Epsom and Irish Derbies.
Timmy Hyde says buying any horse is a gamble but, this one is better than most,
He’s got a hell of a good pedigree and there's a great chance he’ll be a good racehorse.
The Shergar colt sale attracted international buyers to Ireland, firmly establishing Goffs as one of the leaders in the bloodstock business.
Goffs managing director Jonathan Irwin rejects the idea that the attention paid to the colt and Camas Park Stud has upset other vendors. While the pedigree of this colt undoubtedly brought foreign buyers to Kildare, the other vendors benefited as their horses were seen by an international clientele.
It’s rather like running a sweetie shop if you’ve got very good things in the front window, it draws people to the sales complex in this case.
Jonathan Irwin is not surprised the colt set a European record,
The rumour was out that this horse was going to set quite a remarkable price.
While a Shergar yearling is a rarity, Jonathan Irwin promises plenty more treats for bloodstock buyers in the year ahead.
The horse, subsequently named Authaal won the Irish St Leger in 1987. He was trained by David O'Brien, Ballydoyle.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 10 October 1984. The reporter is Mary Fanning.
