3 minute read
Lucrative prize available for graduates of Orby Sale.
A €1 million two-year-old race exclusive to Goffs Orby yearlings will support this year's Goffs Orby Sale on September 28 and 29.
With the prize fund guaranteed by Goffs and paying to tenth place, the Goffs Million will be Europe's richest two-year-old race and be run over seven furlongs at The Curragh on September 24 2022. The race gives buyers at the Orby Sale a unique chance to win the biggest pot available to European two-year-olds.
In addition, if the winner of the 2022 Goffs Million subsequently wins a Group 1 race as a three year old in Ireland, UK, France, USA or Australia, the winning owner will receive a €100,000 bonus from Goffs.
"Only the Goffs Orby Sale will give you the opportunity to win Europe's richest two-year-old race next year, and we're excited to be offering this unique chance to buyers," said Goffs group chief executive Henry Beeby.
"As shown at the weekend by the likes of Mother Earth and Lucky Vega in the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, Orby yearlings perform at the highest level on the global stage and this race will act as the perfect stepping stone for the best.
"Similar concepts have proved defining in the past and we are unashamedly reconfiguring the Million initiative for today's marketplace and will offer a select two day Orby Sale at Kildare Paddocks this autumn. As one noted breeder told me when I discussed the idea with him, this means 'everyone' will come to Goffs to make sure they have a chance of winning such a big prize especially as prize money will extend to tenth place.
"We recognise that the Orby Sale in particular, and Irish sales in general, need a lift after the challenges created by the global pandemic but the end is in sight with the vaccination programme and we look forward to welcoming a global audience back to Kildare Paddocks, and continuing the momentum of the sale that was very evident up to 2019 when Orby was consistently returning six figure averages and seven figure top prices year on year."
Meanwhile, Pat Keogh, chief executive the Curragh commented: "The Curragh is delighted to be a part of this ambitious and innovative initiative by Goffs to stage an exciting new race that will give a major boost to attracting new owners to the sport, together with providing the platform to attract a significant audience to the racecourse and also delivering major global media coverage for what will be a major highlight of our Autumn Festival next year.
Following its inception the concept will be reviewed and developed with a view to enhancing and widening its appeal in the future.
