Goffs London Sale sees record breaking racing royalty on display 

On the eve of Royal Ascot at Kensington Palace Gardens, racing royalty gathered for the Goffs London Sale. The garden party and thoroughbred auction was a star studded event attended by the who’s who of the racing world, alongside celebrities and socialites who enjoyed sipping rosé in the sunshine under the auctioneer’s gavel.

An invitation to the Goffs London Sale allows buyers access to the most exclusive racing in the world the very next day at Royal Ascot, as the majority of the 25 horses to go under hammer hold entries to run at the royal meeting. No other event allows attendees the chance to attend an event, make a purchase and then become a participant into the elite world of professional sport within 24 hours.

More than the most unique racehorse auction in the world, the Goffs London Sale is one of the most anticipated and exclusive events during the summer season for business people, entrepreneurs, socialites and UHNWIs from across the globe.Related: Global auction house Goffs discusses opening the door to ultra-luxury

Henry Beeby, group chief executive of Goffs, said: “Goffs London Sale is the curtain raiser to the most prestigious Flat race meeting in the world, Royal Ascot. People from across the globe are at the sale and are buzzing with excitement for the week ahead.”

“What sets our event apart is that the majority of horses for sale are entered to run at Royal Ascot, meaning you can come to the sale on Monday, purchase a horse, and be standing alongside the Royal family in the Ascot parade ring as an owner less than 24 hours later. I think racing is unique in that it can offer immediate access to the top level of the sport,” he added.

Sparkling Plenty was always going to be one of the highlights of this year, as her value soared when she won the Group 1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly on the eve of the auction. The bidders were Amo Racing, Emmanuel de Seroux and Amanda Zetterholm. Zetterholm had the final say with a bid of £8.1m, but it later transpired that she was acting for the vendor who bought back the filly. A private sale was subsequently negotiated with Al Shaqab Racing, owned by Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani of the Qatari Royal Family, who purchased a half share in the filly for £5m – a record price for the Goffs London Sale.Related: Julius Baer unveils the 2024 Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report

Enjoying the event were ex-footballer, Michael Owen; Melbourne Cup winning jockey and ITV commentator, Michelle Payne; trainers Thady Gosden, George Boughey, Hugo Palmer, and Joseph O’Brien as well as legendary Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse.

Racehorse owners and breeders included Electra Niarchos, John Stewart and Chelsea Stone of Resolute Racing, Real Sociedad footballer Álvaro Odriozola, as well as celebrity New York chef Bobby Flay who narrowly lost out on Lot 6 which was sold for a fantastic £655,000 on a filly who is the daughter of the six time Group 1 winner Laurens.

Many of the horse that sold went on to run for their new owners at Royal Ascot last week included Taraj, bought for £480,000 by Amo Racing; Asian Daze, bought by Gai Waterhouse for £200,000 which placed ninth of 30 in the Sandringham Stakes; and Pentle Bay, bought by Richard Ryan for £400,000 which placed second of 15 in the Chesham Stakes.Title partner of the event is exclusive fintech company Privat3 Money, while supporting partners include Château Léoube, Ascot Racecourse, Ampito, The International Yacht Company (IYC), Racing Post Bloodstock and Hoffmeister.

The next major sale is the Goffs Orby Sale in Ireland (1 to 4 October 2024), which is the auction house’s most important sale of the year. It showcases the cream of the Irish yearling crop and the catalogue is packed with potential superstars and future Classic winners.

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