Mrs Sallie Goggin (Penboeth Stud)
- jackgoodwin37
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
It is with deep sadness that the Welsh Pony & Cob Society announce the passing of Mrs Sallie Goggin of the Penboeth Stud, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil on the 2nd June 2026, aged 78 years.
Sallie had been bravely and successfully tackling cancer for the last 4 years, so it was a shock for family & friends to unexpectedly lose her to heart failure.
Sallie and beloved husband Francis, or ‘Franse’ as she affectionately referred to him, started breeding and showing ponies under the Penboeth prefix in the early 1970s. More often than not they would be seen attending shows and sales together; a proper pony breeders double act.
One might be forgiven for thinking that ‘Franse’, the higher profile and smartly dressed showman and Judge was the driving force behind the amazing success of the Penboeth Stud, whose homebred stock have been prolific show winners,
including the Royal Welsh Show, with Penboeth Bantam taking male champion in 2010 and Penboeth Bamboo, standing overall champion in 2018; but as the saying goes, behind every great man is a great woman!
Whether in the sale pen, at the side of the show ring or just walking the field, Sallie would never be short of a smile and always up for some banter and pony tales. Her breeding memory, knowledge and experience was tremendous, often correcting ‘Franse’ on breeding detail, dates and names or filling in the missing links, accompanied with her opinion to compliment[EG1] the partnership.
Sallie had been a member of the WPCS since 1984, but in the early days, before breeding the first Penboeth pony in 1971, Sallie and her father, Eddie Lewis, had been involved with the Dowlais Pony Improvement Society, which had been formed back in 1896 with the aim of improving the quality of the semi feral ponies for work and transport.
Sallie later became involved in the Dowlais Show, again through her father Eddie, who had helped them get established in the early days and who had been secretary of the Show, a show that he had initially started in a field behind the house when the Vaynor Show refused Dowlais foal classes.
As Dowlais Show Secretary, 2026 had been a special year for Sallie, having reached the 50 years milestone as show volunteer, which for anybody involved in running shows, would hail an amazing achievement.
Sallie was particularly fond of the stallion Llwynan Tip Top, who cost Francis & Sallie their first horse trailer to secure his purchase. Having a successful show career as a youngster, it was as a prolific breeding stallion that he left his mark on the stud and whose progeny had and still has a profound influence at Penboeth. In fairness, Sallie loved them all, so much so, it was difficult to get her to let any go!
It is through these ponies and their offspring that Sallie’s legacy and welcoming smile will always remain ever present.
The Society extends its sincerest condolences to Francis, Nicole and all their family and friends at this sad time.
The funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Tuesday 30th June 2026 at Hebron Evangelical Church, High Street, Caeharris, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 3PH, followed by interment at Pant Cemetery.
Refreshments will be available after the funeral service at Dowlais RFC, Blaen Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 3RB.
Donations in lieu of flowers will be kindly gifted to Cancer Aid, Merthyr.
