Goffs, Doncaster merge

Goffs Bloodstock Sales and Doncaster

Bloodstock Sales Ltd. (DBS) ended speculation Monday by announcing the merger that

had been largely expected in recent weeks. Goffs Chairman Eimear Mulhern and

DBS Managing Director Henry Beeby together issued a statement, which confirmed

that the two forces will join under the Robert J. Goff and Co. Plc. banner with

sales continuing in Ireland, Doncaster and Kempton. The move follows Goffs

taking

a majority shareholding in the leading French Sales company Arqana. The combined

entity will offer a program of 22 sales in Britain and Ireland, cataloging more

than

10,000 horses each year covering all sectors of the market and with an expected

annual turnover of more than 200 million.

Beeby will become Group Chief Executive,

while Oliver O'Reilly will continue as Chairman of R.J. Goff & Co. and Eimear

Mulhern will become Executive Vice Chairman of the Company. The existing teams

in Kill, County Kildare, and Hawick will continue with the day-to-day running of

each venue under the direction of Beeby, who will continue as Managing Director

of DBS, as well as CEO of Goffs. Beeby will move his base to Ireland, but will

make regular visits to Hawick and oversee every sale at Goffs and DBS.

"Goffs and DBS have always had

a lot in common, and it makes perfect sense for us to join together and merge in

what we all very much see as a link-up by two very similar organizations," Beeby

said. "The

combined entity will be run by two teams who will only complement each other

and we guarantee that the Goffs Group will offer an unrivaled service to the

bloodstock industry. We will be the most customer-focused, horse-friendly

auction

house and will literally have a sale every month to cater to every sector of the

market at every price range."

"This amalgamation gives the

combined entity significant market share in Europe," Mulhern said, "and our target is to become a

truly global auction house by offering quality, value and excellent customer

service

in a modern, progressive and well-managed sales company. Both teams have a lot

to bring to the table and we look forward to working together to make this new

venture a huge success."

While the name change is on the backburner until the

companies' clients are satisfied with the merging of the brands, the sales

program

will become harmonized with a coordination of aspects such as physical

inspections prior to sales selection.

In a joint statement, Mulhern and Beeby

set out

their goals.

"We want the Goffs Group, Goffs and DBS, to become a market leader

on the international stage. Classic winners, world champions, top two- and three-year-olds, Gold Cup winners,

champion chasers -- we will source them and we will

sell them to the highest bidder from two world-class sales complexes."