Watch the replay of the 2020 Yorton Sale here.

In a year where trade has been understandably disrupted, the team at Yorton and Goffs UK were more than pleased with the results from this year’s sale which further confirmed it’s annual position in the bloodstock calendar.

The sale achieved a strong clearance rate of 78% and saw the median rise 5% on last year to £21,000. The top lot was a yearling by Blue Bresil who is a half-brother to the Listed winner and Gr.2 placed Thomas Campbell (Lot 38) which sold to Highflyer and Nicky Henderson for £60,000. Yearlings filled two of the top three lots with the Blue Bresil yearling gelding out of the Listed placed Land Of Vic (Lot 40) selling to Brian Griffiths for £35,000.

Topping the 2YO session was a beautifully bred son of Maxios out of the great producing mare Champaka (Lot 11) which sold to Walters Plant Hire for £50,000.

Social distancing and covid-19 protocols were a strict priority throughout the day, but it did nothing to dampen the mood in the beautiful Yorton ‘round yard’ sale ring which was still very upbeat and positive - ‘a good time had by all’ is something of a Yorton tradition even if everyone does have to wear a face mask. The introduction this year of Online Bidding and live streaming meant more buyers and enthusiasts were able to enjoy the sale virtually too.

Nick Luck presented the Sale for the second year running and, as you would expect gave a polished performance. Taking to the rostrum alongside Goffs auctioneer George Stanners the pair worked brilliantly together delivering humour and professionalism which certainly added to the atmosphere on the day.

Overseas travel restrictions certainly meant a number of French and Irish traders stayed at home, but purchases were still made from both countries. Peter Molony of Rathmore Stud in County Limerick secured four lots, headed by a Blue Bresil two-year-old filly (Lot 19) who made £30,000, but included a Pether’s Moon colt (Lot 48) for £20,000 and two £10,000 lots, namely a two-year-old gelding by Gr.1 Deutsches Derby winner Nutan (Lot 20) and a Tai Chi filly (Lot 28).

There was a good presence of British Jump Trainers making purchases on the day with many horses finding new homes across the British Isles. Lucinda Russell was early out of the blocks securing a two-year-old gelding by Mawatheeq (Lot 2) for £24,000 and Warren Greatrex returned home with a two-year-old gelding by Yorton stallion Scalo (Lot 26) for £26,000.

Yorton Stud owner David Futter commented:

“We are delighted. Given everything that is happening right now we have been very lucky to have been able to hold this sale and the level of support has been humbling. We see a big future for this sale, it really is a unique event on the sale calendar and we hope people have enjoyed it. I want to pass on a big thanks to the Yorton team who have once again put in a huge effort and to Goffs UK for all their help. We are looking forward to 2021 already.

“The statistics are good, we are in the middle of a pandemic and yet we are selling horses. Even this morning I was worried about whether something might crop up to prevent the sale taking place, yet the figures we have achieved will do me all day, every day. “It isn’t just about figures however – it’s about the winners that will come out of this sale. If the winners keep coming over four or five years we will be happy and will continue to select horses that can become winners. We will certainly hold this sale again next year.

Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent commented:

“Holding any sale during the COVID era has presented us with additional challenges, and none more than this unique sale which is very different to any other. But that is the appeal of the Yorton Sale and we are delighted with what we have achieved with David Futter and his team.

“The Yorton team had managed to compile a selection of horses that had significantly improved from last year’s sale, both physically and on paper, and this fact was not lost on purchasers who helped to achieve a 78% clearance rate which is a positive result in any year.

“Although we were unable to entertain the same number of visitors as last year, and with much of the overseas bidding coming via telephone bids or the Goffs online platform, the atmosphere was very similar to last year’s inaugural sale which clearly demonstrates the unique appeal of this now annual event.

“A wonderful location combined with some beautiful horses and spirited bidding has led to a very good day in Wales and we would like to thank David Futter and his team for everything that they have done to make today possible. We wish buyers every luck with their purchases and we look forward to doing the same again next year – hopefully in easier circumstances.”

2020 Statistics Offered: 36 Sold: 28 (78%) Aggregate: £602,000 (-15%) Average: £21,500 (-12%) Median: £21,000 (+5%)

Photo: Carl Evans