Crystal Ocean All The Rage At Goffs Arkle Sale

Crystal Ocean’s popularity continued apace on Day 2 of the Goffs Arkle Sale, with three geldings fetching six-figure sums, and ended with the Beeches Stud sire sitting second to Walk In The Park in the leading sires’ table.

Following a smart start by his first four-year-olds, buyers gave up to €165,000 for Crystal Ocean’s progeny on the opening day and this was twice bettered on Wednesday. His most expensive store was offered by Ballintogher Stud and knocked down to Gordon Elliott for €200,000.

“He is a lovely horse,” Elliott said after securing the chesnut while standing alongside Eddie O’Leary. “We waited since yesterday for him because he was the one we wanted and hopefully he'll be lucky now.

“We knew we were going to have to pull out for him. I've been lucky with the family and know it well, I trained the dam. I have a number of young horses by Crystal Ocean, and hope he will be good too.”

Ger Morrin was among those keen to secure one of Crystal Ocean’s offering and succeeded late in trade when buying Oak Tree Farm’s gelding for €170,000. “I finally got one,” Morrin said after signing as Grandeville Bloodstock on behalf of Sean and Bernardine Mulryan. “I’ve been trying to buy a Crystal Ocean all sale and I thought this one was as good as any of them.”

Crystal Ocean’s first six-figure sale of the day came when Highflyer Bloodstock gave €110,000 for a gelding consigned by Rahinston Stud on behalf of Vanquish Bloodstock.

The May-born is a full-brother to Freshers Week (Crystal Ocean), who made a winning debut for Cormac Doyle in a four-year-old maiden at Taylorstown, and subsequently sold for Highflyer Bloodstock and Charlie Longsdon.

During the two-day sale, Crystal Ocean’s fillies sold for up to €82,000. Overall, the young sire achieved an impressive average price of €69,452.