Champions Day embarrassment after only lot at pre-racing auction goes unsold

There were red faces at Ascot on Saturday after the pre-racing auction of racehorses in training concluded without a sale being made. When the Goffs Qipco British Champions Day sale was launched in 2023 the top lot, Rogue Lightning, fetched £1 million.

But for the 2025 version, held 90 minutes before the first of the five Group 1 races which make up Britain’s richest single raceday, the catalogue featured only two horses. The for sale list was made up of two-year-old colt Generous Rascal, who broke his maiden on his second and most recent appearance at Kempton on October 1 for trainer Oliver Cole.

The well-bred son of Showcasing and half-brother to the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes and 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean who now stands at stud in Juddmonte. He was to be sold with an entry in the Listed Criterium de Vitesse at Deauville.

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The other lot was two-year-old filly Birdcall who was an eye-catching four-length winner on her debut last week at Nottingham for trainer Ollie Sangster.

The daughter of the in form sire Night Of Thunder hails from the family of the Group 1 winners Dream Of Dreams, Airwave, and Churchill and was to be sold with an entry in the Listed Bosra Sham Stakes at Newmarket.

Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said ahead of the event that the sale was “in keeping with the 'right time, right place' ethos” of the Goffs London Sale, held on the eve of Royal Ascot.

However there was no hiding the disappointment after the only horse to eventually go on sale failed to obtain a successful bid.

Beeby said: "We were privileged to conduct the Goffs QIPCO British Champions Day Sale before racing on such a superb day. Despite a very proactive campaign to source horses, we were only able to secure two Lots, one of which was withdrawn on the morning of the sale.

“We had interest in the filly we offered but not to the level required by the vendor so were unable to secure her sale on this occasion. We are grateful to the vendor for the opportunity.

“Goffs is always looking for ways to innovate and do things differently. On this occasion it hasn’t resulted in a successful sale, but we will always explore new ideas and will discuss with Ascot Racecourse future endeavours as and when appropriate".