THE presence of J.P. McManus, Willie Mullins and the surprising strength of the British buying bench have been put forward as contributory factors to the record prices seen at this week’s Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale.

Turnover at Part 1 of the sale was close to €21 million – a near 20% jump on last year. The average price of €64,000 was also a record, easily surpassing the post-Covid boom of 2022 when the average reached €58,000.

Those averages were pushed up by 10 horses selling for in excess of €200,000 – last year that number was four. Nine of the 10 were French-bred or by French-based stallions.

Twice this week the store horse record price was smashed – once by a group of owners associated with Joe Tizzard’s yard who paid €370,000, and then by the Acheson family’s Robcour operation who gave €400,000.

The week’s leading vendor Peter Nolan said: “It was hard to believe the market could keep going up, after Goffs was so strong. Again, I think it was the English who drove the trade. They have been more proactive than they have been for years.”

Nolan sold 22 horses for close to €1.5 million. While there were French-breds in his consignment, his top two sales were Irish-bred sons of Walk In The Park.

Conversely, all five horses sold by Tom Whitehead of Powerstown Stud – whose National Hunt operation trades as Altenbach Bloodstock, were sourced in France and made a total of €600,000.

He said: “We were lucky. We had a few horses that got new fresh updates. Everything has to go right that way too. If you had the horse, there seemed to be a very good demand.”

Asked what spiked demand, he proffered: “J.P. McManus appearing there on both days must have had an effect. I think it’s been a good few years since he was there. It probably gives people confidence to see the likes of him and Michael O’Leary investing in store horses. It drives up the whole market”

Point-to-point handler Warren Ewing agreed. “J.P. buying horses all week kept the prices up for everyone. That money trickles down to everyone and it will be good for those selling at the foal sales this year. The English are also getting strong again.

“It was hard to buy this week but I got four and am happy with what I bought. They’re making serious money – it’s not an easy game for handlers like me. If you don’t get the result, you’re losing.”

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