FOLLOWING a very positive store sale season to this point, anticipation was high in advance of the two-day Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale this week. While trade on Wednesday and Thursday was perfectly adequate, the buzz that normally emanates from a sale with such history and prestige was somewhat lacking.

There was no shortage of buyers in attendance, however, both from Ireland, Britain and France, and all the big names seemed to get involved but that did not stop the clearance rate slipping from 93% in 2022 to 80% this year.

As a result of this drop, and despite more horses offered, the aggregate also fell from €18,587,000 in 2022 to €16,075,000, while the median of €43,000 and the average of €53,583 dipped by 14% and 8% respectively.

Last year 36 horses sold for €100,000 or more with this year’s corresponding figure falling just slightly below at 33. The week’s top price of €265,000 was the highest achieved at any store sale this year.

The point-to-point fraternity again showed its commitment to their business model and the Doyle brothers of Monbeg fame made a significant contribution to the sale buying 27 horses for €1,457,000.

British trainers are also taking the fight to their Irish counterparts in a bid to even up the scores at the big festivals and it was good to see the likes of Paul Nicholls, Olly Murphy, Fergal O’Brien and Dan Skelton all come away with some of the choice lots.

Sire power again seems to be a key factor with a select few stallions featuring in the upper echelons of prices. Coolmore’s Walk In The Park had the biggest representation of any sire in the sale with 35 horses sold at an average of €75,114 each.

French stallions remain very popular, in particular Doctor Dino whose nine lots sold averaged €137,778 which is very impressive even allowing for his €20,000 stud fee.

With the likes of Beaumec De Houelle – whose two lots averaged €120,000 - being a Grade 1 winning hurdler it would be a surprise if we do not see one or two well-bred colts by the likes of Walk In The Park or Doctor Dino creep into the store sales in the coming years with a view to developing future National Hunt stallions from within, rather than relying on middle distance flat stallions who don’t gain commercial traction in that sphere, switching codes.

For example, imagine if the brother to Douvan and Jonbon arrived to the Derby Sale an entire horse. What price would he have made then?