Coolmore shuttler Dylan Thomas took centre stage during the two-day Goffs February Sale that drew to a close in Co. Kildare on Thursday evening.

During the breeding stock session on Day 2, Hawk Wing mare Pure Perfection topped trade at 74,000 euros.  She was purchased by agent Jill Lamb in foal to Dylan Thomas.  The mare is a half-sister to G1 winning sprinter King’s Apostle.

English agent Charlie Mason also tapped into Dylan Thomas when buying Grand Lodge mare Passionate Girl for 40,000 euros.  She is a stakes placed half-sister to Royal Whip Stakes winner Chancellor and was sold in foal to Dylan Thomas.  

Irish pin-hooker Ciaran Conroy of Glenvale Stud topped Day 1 on Wednesday when he paid 53,000 euros for a new-season yearling colt by Dylan Thomas.  He is out of Tango Tonic (Trans Island), an unraced half-sister to G2 Prix Niel winner Housamix (Linamix) and G1 placed stakes winner Housa Dancer (Fabulous Dancer).

Conroy admitted the yearling’s young sire was a deciding factor in the purchase.  “Obviously we all know how good a racehorse Dylan Thomas was,” Conroy said. “He was most consistent, tough, and very honest with a huge amount of ability.”

An encounter with the stallion’s former trainer, Aidan O’Brien, only added to that impression.  “Aidan told me the two-year-olds by Dylan Thomas that he has are really training well and how much he really likes them,” Conroy remarked.  “It gave me a lot of encouragement.  I was quite keen to have him based on what Aidan told me.”

Dylan Thomas (Danehill) has his first southern bred yearlings catalogued for the 2011 majors and topping the list at the Gold Coast Magic Millions was a colt from Marscay mare Rosecay at $150,000.  

The Goffs February Sale produced a 25% increase in median and 12% jump in clearance rate over last year.

Currency converter – 1,354 euros = AUD 1,000