“TONIGHT’S Punchestown Sale was the usual lively affair at what is the original festival sale, with some mighty prices and a huge crowd of active participants. Last year’s record-breaking sale was always going to be hard to match, but 2024 compares very favourably with previous renewals, and we have no doubt that there are some real stars amongst the graduates.”

A succinct summing up from Goffs chief Henry Beeby said it all about the Goffs Punchestown Sale held after racing on Thursday, which had its usual plethora of stars but nothing to match last year’s top price of €500,000 for Qualimita or the €450,000 paid for Histrionic.