Henry Beeby has said he is optimistic that the second running of the Goffs Classic Sale will provide the breeze-up fraternity with a positive end to what proved to be a difficult season for so many. The Goffs chief was speaking after Monday's breeze at Naas racecourse which attracted a good number of bloodstock agents and domestic handlers, something which Beeby said provided him with encouragement ahead of Saturday's sale. The unbeaten Extremely Zain (Hello Youmzain), who was purchased by Mark McStay from Katie Walsh's Greenhills Farm for €185,000 here last year, has done his bit to fly the flag for one of the youngest breeze-up sales on the circuit. Trained by William Haggas on behalf of Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, the 101-rated Extremely Zain holds Group 1 entries and is a good example of what can be found at the later sale, according to Beeby. He said, “Lot one from last year has turned out to be a proper horse, hasn't he? First horse in the ring and he's gone on to be a very good horse for William Haggas.”He added, “I think it's fair to say that there was a lot of doubt about us even holding this sale last year. I hope and believe that that thought has been put to bed because year one was significantly better than what people thought it would be. So, it fired, and it fired well.”After withdrawals, there are just 60 horses that are set to go under the hammer following racing at the Curragh on Saturday. Beeby admitted that Goffs could have easily accepted double the number of horses but, given the sale is held on the eve of the Irish Derby, it makes most sense to keep the offering select for logistical reasons.He explained, “The numbers are small because we want to keep it tight. Holding the sale in association with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is a good idea. The vendors like the fact that they have this sale and this date. Some vendors have aimed for it specifically and plenty of others are here because, for small little reasons, they didn't make it to one of the earlier sales, be that at Doncaster or with one of our competitors. It worked in year one and I hope it will work again.”Beeby added, “For the future of this sale, it has definitely earned its place. Our issue is that, if we want to hold it on the eve of the Irish Derby, we have a limited time slot. That means that expanding the numbers for the sale could be difficult. We expanded the sale ever so slightly this year but we could have taken double the numbers. I think we will see how it goes this year. We normally view new sales by giving them a three-year period before sitting down to review them. In our mind, it definitely has a future and vendors appear to agree. Whether we change it or expand it, we'll see. There is a debate about the time between the breeze and the actual sale. Edmond Mahony specifically asked me not to stage the sale whilst the Derby Sale was taking place and, out of respect to Edmond, and the fact that we do try to work together, we agreed.”The turnout for Monday's breeze would suggest that the Classic Sale has earned its place in the calendar. Furthermore, the catalogue for this year's edition would suggest that plenty of vendors have confidence in the sale and its format.Beeby said, “To give credit where credit is due, the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale was very good. Genuinely, I was delighted to see that because it gave people great confidence. I think there is an element of buyers wanting to buy in euro because of dear old Brexit, and that does hurt our British sale as well as others. That helped us here last year and it appeared to help the sale at Fairyhouse as well. We'd hope to feel the benefit of that on Saturday.”On his hopes for Saturday, he concluded, “I was pleased with the number of people who turned up to view the breeze on Monday. Compared to the numbers for the breeze last year, I think it can only be taken as a good sign. We'd be very hopeful but it is a very young sale so who knows. It has been a tough breeze-up season for a lot of the vendors so we'd love to end the year on a high for them.”The post Beeby: ‘We’d Love To End The Breeze-Up Season On A High At The Classic Sale’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.