NOEL MEADE (trainer): There was a lot of money going around. The point-to-point men upped their game and were paying a lot more than they did before for horses. That has pushed the whole market up.

PHILIP HORE (consignor, Mount Eaton Stud): We had a good week, selling eight out of eight over the two days. The market was very strong at the top and middle. The point-to-point guys were paying good money for horses and there was plenty of British interest too. If you had an athletic 16.2hh by a popular sire there was plenty of money for him. Keeping the Derby Sale tight to 420 lots is a good policy too.

KEN PARKHILL (consignor, Castletown Quarry Stud): The top of the market was very strong but it tailed off at the bottom. The point-to-point men put a great floor to the market and propped the whole thing up. The usual big players were active and it was good to see that there was good money for a horse who ticked all the boxes. The demand for fillies has improved a lot, especially at the top end but you could sell reasonable fillies too. The industry looks stronger than ever at the moment though I would be concerned at overproduction creeping back in.

JIM MERNAGH (consignor, Coolamurry Stud): There was great trade for a grand, big scopey horse who ticked all the boxes. The point-to-point lads went wild, buying horses by the dozen. And there were plenty of English buyers too. I’d say almost all the vendors were happy except the few who had paid too much for them as foals. Fillies with good pedigrees were on fire this week.

SHARK HANLON (trainer): It was probably the strongest Derby Sale we have ever seen. There was savage trade. They were paying €50,000-€60,000 for horses to go and win a point-to-point. Anything you would like was making between €50,000 and €100,000.

RYAN MAHON (bloodstock agent): “I got four this week but missed out on plenty. When you have €100,000 to spend on a horse you don’t expect to get blown out of the water. It was very strong trade. The Wexford boys (point-to-point handlers) have had a good year and were pushing the boundaries again.