The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale Book 1 kicked off in Ireland on Tuesday and the first session was topped by the half-sister by Sea the Stars to Cox Plate winner State of Rest (IRE), currently serving his first Australian book of mares at Newgate Farm in the Hunter Valley.

Fresh from siring a Group double in Australia on Saturday, Sea the Stars has sired 22 stakes-winners this year in total headed by Group I winners Hukum and Emily Upjohn, so the half-brother to Galileo is in hot form this year.

Consigned by Tinnakill House, the filly from Repose was bought by State of Rest’s trainer Joseph O’Brien for €750,000.

The filly is a half-sister to not only four time Group I winner State of Rest, but also Group III winner Tranquil Lady, who was sold for 2.7million guineas at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year.

Both State of Rest and Tranquil Lady were trained by Joseph O’Brien.

“Obviously we’ve been very lucky with the family,” said O’Brien. “She’s by Sea The Stars and she’s a quality filly so we’re really excited to have her as a racing prospect. There were some similarities with State Of Rest; he was a horse who progressed very well from two to three and then as he got older.

“This filly has a lot of quality, she’s medium sized, and we loved her from the minute we first saw her. Obviously Sea The Stars is one of the best stallions in the world and the mare has proved herself as an outstanding producer. She will make a fantastic racing prospect and, in the medium term, a broodmare prospect too.”

State of Rest is covering his first mares in Australia at a fee of $44,000 and is expected to serve a full book.