Tomorrow sees Ireland’s premier auction of thoroughbred sales get underway. Goffs’ Orby Sale, which will take place on September 27-28, has a rich history of uncovering both outstanding racehorses and stallions.

Recent superstars sold at the Orby Sale include Gr1 Epsom Oaks winner Dancing Rain (Danehill Dancer), Hong Kong Horse Of The Year Military Attack (Oratorio), Gr1 Irish St Leger heroine Voleuse De Coeurs (Teofilo), Gr1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Lightening Pearl (Marju), Gr1 Met Handicap winner Magic Hurricane (Hurricane Run),Gr1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Just The Judge (Lawman), and Gr11000 Guineas vixen Sky Lantern (Red Clubs).

But what of more recent sales? And what has been the fate of modern day Orby Sales toppers?

In 2014, the Orby Sale was topped by The Major General (Galileo – Scribonia), who was knocked down to MV Magnier for €1.5 million. Currently in training, the three-year-old colt (who races for Messrs Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Jooste and Kantor, has won twice in nine outings and was narrowly beaten into second place in the 2016 Gr3 Gordon Stakes. The Major General holds an entry in the Gr2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup on October 15th.

One year earlier, the Orby Sale was topped by Ol’Man River (Montjeu –Finsceal Beo) who was knocked down to MV Magnier for €2.85 million. Subsequent a winner of the Gr2 Beresford Stakes as a two-year-old, Ol’Man River looked a potential classic hope but proved bitterly disappointing in his four outings as a three-year-old and has made just one start in 2016 –when a well beaten fourth at Dundalk.

The year 2012, saw Orby Sale topped by Burning Desire (Galileo – Flames). Subsequently gelded, the €800 000 buy failed to win in 11 outings.

Five time Gr1 winner New Approach (Galileo) was responsible for 2011 Orby Sale topper -his daughter Rasmeyaa was sold to Shadwell for €350 000. The filly won once and ran third, to subsequent Gr1 winner Fiesolana (Aussie Rules), in the 2013 Gr3 Coolmore Stud Fairy Bridge Stakes.

Irish History headed the 2010 Orby Sale, with the daughter of Dubawi being knocked down to John Ferguson for €950 000. While she won just a single race, Irish History did well to run third in the 2013 Gr1 Coronation Stakes and fourth in the Gr1 Falmouth Stakes.

Irish History’s dam, Spirit Of Tara (Sadler’s Wells), enjoyed remarkable success at Goffs –her Raven’s Pass filly, Tocco D’Amore, topped last year’s Goffs Orby Sale when she fetched €2,000,000.

With this somewhat patchy record in recent times, one can but wonder what the 2016 Goffs Orby Sale will achieve.