The stage is set for Europe’s richest two-year-old race, the Goffs Million (7f), which has attracted a maximum field of 30 runners at the Curragh this Saturday and the €1 million contest, with prize money down to 10th, is only open to graduates of last year’s Goffs Orby Sale.
The Goffs Million is the centrepiece of Goffs’ lucrative Two Million Series, which this season alone has already paid out €1 million in €50,000 bonuses across Ireland and the UK. Offering extraordinary prize money and showcasing the quality of Orby yearlings, the race is staged the weekend before the Orby Sale, which begins on Monday at Kildare Paddocks.
Last year, Joseph O’Brien captured the prize with Apples And Bananas and also sent out the 3rd, 4th and 9th placed finishers, collecting a remarkable €655,000 in total prize money. He says: “The Goffs Million is fantastic prizemoney and a great incentive for all owners to be able to go to Goffs next week and buy a horse who has a chance to run for a big cheque here next year.”
This year, Joseph O’Brien is set to saddle five, led by Green Sense, who won the Group 2 Goffs Prix Robert Papin before finishing third in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes on her latest start. She now steps up to seven furlongs for the first time.
O’Brien said: “She’s been a star for us so far this year. Anthony Bromley and Simon Munir picked her out in the Orby Sale last year and figured we’d give the Million as good a shot as we can. She’s in really good nick, stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time which is a little bit of a question mark, but she’s probably the most proven animal in the race and a real contender to hopefully get a good chunk of the prize money.”
Aidan O’Brien holds a strong hand in the race, with Composing, winner of the Group 2 Debutante Stakes joined by Dorset who finished fourth behind Zavateri in the Group 1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes.
The race also features a strong British challenge, most notably from Homestrait, trained by Brian Ellison. Bought for just €5,000 at last year’s Orby Book 2, Homestrait has been a revelation, finishing in the first two in all seven starts and landing a valuable Goffs €50,000 bonus earlier this summer.
Ellison said: “She’s a lovely, tough filly and very game. She’s been in the front two every time she’s run this season and is a model of consistency. This is a tough ask against some strong, well-bred types, but we’ll do our best.”
Ellison continued: “We bought her for €5,000 and she’s already won a €50,000 bonus. If we can run into the money then we’d be thrilled. It’s a great initiative and brilliant for owners like ours. Nick Bradley is already over at Goffs looking for our next one!”
Among the other standout contenders is Take Charge Star, trained by Johnny Murtagh for US owner Maribeth Sandford. Purchased for €300,000 at last year’s Orby Sale, the colt announced himself as a serious player with a commanding performance at Gowran Park earlier this month, a performance that also secured him a €50,000 Goffs bonus.
The field also highlights the strength and appeal of syndicate ownership, with several groups represented, including the Connolly Racing Syndicate, who memorably won the 2023 Goffs Million by six lengths with debutant One Look. This year, they are represented by Red Earth, a colt by No Nay Never trained by Fozzy Stack.
The Goffs Orby Sale, which begins on Monday with Book 1 (29–30 September), has already produced a string of top-level winners in 2025, including Classic heroine Minnie Hauk and US Grade 1 winner Excellent Truth.
Henry Beeby, Goffs Group Chief Executive, commented: “The Goffs Million is the richest juvenile race in Europe and a perfect showcase for the Orby Sale. Last year’s race was a tremendous advertisement for the sale, and this year promises to be even more competitive with leading contenders from both Ireland and the UK. The success of the Goffs Two Million Series, with €1 million of €50,000 bonus races across Ireland and the UK, has added huge momentum and shows the tangible rewards available to Orby buyers. We now look forward to welcoming buyers from around the world to Kildare Paddocks for this year’s Orby Sale.”
The Goffs Orby Sale 2025 begins on Monday 29 September, a day earlier than its traditional Tuesday start.
- Orby Book 1: Monday 29 - Tuesday 30 September
- Orby Book 2: Wednesday 1 - Thursday 2 October
All yearlings sold are eligible for the 2026 Goffs Two Million Series, which again includes €1 million in bonuses and the €1 million Goffs Million.
