Developer hits €2.85m jackpot at horse sales

A developer who was recently found not guilty of making corrupt payments to a Waterford councillor has hit the jackpot at the Goffs bloodstock sales.

Michael Ryan Sr’s Al Eile Stud in Kilgobnet, Dungarvan, sold a yearling colt for an incredible €2.85m.

Despite an improving market, the price dwarfed the sales trend for Irish yearlings in recent years, and was 28 times the average price at the second day of the annual Goff’s Orby sale. The deal was five times the next highest sale price seen at the Kildare sales’ ring yesterday.